Middletown Cousins Place at Soap Box Derby

Nearly 30 racers competed in the 17th Annual Ocean State Soap Box Derby Saturday for the chance to represent Rhode Island in the Derby Nationals in Akron, Ohio.

First-time racer Robby Dufault of Newport won the 2013 Stock Division title. Robby is a 1st grade student at Cranston-Calvert and raced in a car sponsored by Farley Law/Cafe Zelda.

Middletown sisters Mercedes and Ashley Ney placed second and third, while their Middletown cousin Mackenzie Reynolds placed fourth. All three girls were sponsored by the Viking Riders and Johnny's Getty. Ashley and Mackenzie are 3rd grade students at Forest Ave School. Mercedes is a 5th grade student at Gaudet School.

The 2013 Super Stock division title was won by 2011 Stock Champion Madison Rathbun. Madison placed 14th overall in the nationals that year. Madison was sponsored by the Westerly Lions and attends Westerly High School.

Little Compton brothers Zachary & Noah Rousseau placed 2nd and 4th respectively. Both attend school at Wilbur & McMahon Elementary School.  Zachary Rousseau was the 2012 Stock Division Champion, and represented Rhode Island in Akron last year.

Newport resident Will Farley placed 3rd in his first race in the Superstock Division. Will is a 4th grade student at Cluny School. Will drove the #53 car, sponsored by Johnny's Getty.

The event was sponsored by NewportFed, Waste Management of Newport and
Premier Toyota.  Race day operations and logistics support was provided by the Viking Riders, and new event partner, Gray Matter Marketing.  As they have done each year, the Viking Riders awarded a bicycle to the first runner-up in each division.

The 2013 National Soap Box Derby Championships will be held at Derby Downs in Akron, OH on July 27, 2013.