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Pinewood Derby Stories and Photos from Maximum Velocity
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PINEWOOD DERBY MEMORY
Dad's Car
Our son joined the Tiger Scouts in the fall of 2002, so January 2003 was
our introduction to "Pinewood Derby Racing." We were excited about the
idea of building a car together (well I was), but we did not know a
whole lot about what we needed to do. Other than the few lines of
information that came on the sheet that came with the block of wood,
four nails, and wheels, we were pretty much left on our own. The pack we
belong to is pretty loose on structure and strong in the boys having
good safe fun, and a lot of it. As the weeks went by we found out about
the weight limit, length, width, and lubricant requirements.
Austin drew out his design on paper complete with guns, a jet turbine,
and a device that extinguished the fire from the jet. We then
transferred the design to the wood block. I carved and chiseled, he
sanded and was constantly asking, "Are we done yet?" Along with his Mom
telling me, "Let him do a lot of the work, it's his car." I carved and
chiseled and he sanded some more.
He helped put on the first coats of paint and sanded some more and
continued with, "Are we done yet??" And Mom, "Let him do a lot of the
work, it's his car."
He picked out the stickers and helped put them on with the constant
resonance of (you guessed it), "Are we done yet???" And Mom, "Let him do
a lot of the work, etc., etc."
We finally got the wheels on, and it was all I could do to keep him away
from the car until race day in fear of it getting broken (you know I'm
old and wise and know that I would be the one with additional work -
that I did not need - when it got broken).
I then went on to build my own car. Our Pack, to encourage the parents
to, "Let them do a lot of the work, it's their car", have an open race
for the parents and siblings. This gives them an outlet for their
creative streak and competitive juices. My car was going to be the envy
of all the Dad's and would she be fast!!!!!
The evening before race day came, with cars packed in individual boxes,
the whole family took off to the weigh-in and impound. Those around were
'oohing' and 'aahing' at our cars. The smoothness of the finish and the
shine sparked constant comments such as, "How do you do that?" and,
"Those are the best paint jobs we've ever seen." My head was getting so
big, and I was very proud of our accomplishments so far.
Race day starts with the scouts voting on the cars for ribbons in a
number of categories including, most creative, best theme, most
original, etc. Austin's den - the Tiger's - were the first den to run.
Austin finished second in the den, not bad for our first build, and he
also received the ribbon for best paint job.
When all the scouts were done it was time for the Open race. Not too
long after the start I was standing off to the side holding my car with
what must have been a sorry look on my face, because one of the
officials came over to me and said,
"It's a good looking car, but the speed's in the axles."
It was a great day and we had a lot of fun building, and I was already
thinking about next year - "Speed's in the axles."
Boy does time fly. It was about time for the Pack's 2004 running of the
Pinewood Derby. We did a lot of reading during the year and I had that
comment, "Speed's in the axles." running through my head all year
long. Our daughter wanted to participate in the event this year, so we
had to build three cars (didn't think I was going to be left out did
you?).
Just like last year Austin, and now Shannon, drew out thier designs and
we transferred them to the wood block. I carved and chiseled; they
sanded and put on the first coats of paint. Not a lot of noise - "Are we
done yet?" - this year; I think they were preoccupied with other issues.
So I took the time to really work on those axles and wheels; polishing,
polishing, and more polishing.
On the night before the race the family set out with cars packed for the
weigh-in and impound. Again, a lot of comments on the finish of all
three cars and the same official ("Speed's in the axles.") said:
"They not only looked good but I think they will go good. We will see in
the morning."
The same routine as last year: the boys voted on the cars and then the
racing began. Austin, now a Wolf, proceeded to finish in first place for
his den and was now eligible to compete against the first place
finishers from the other dens.
After all the Scout dens had finished their events, it was time for the
open race. Shannon proceeded to win every heat in the open with no
losses. I was so proud, but the event was far from being over.
After the Open race was finished and the crowd settled down, it was time
for the day's climax, the bid for Grand Champion. All den first place
finishers now raced for the title and the trophy. Yes, you guessed it,
Austin won! I could not believe it, what a day.
The event then concluded with the results of the boy's votes. Austin won
the ribbon for best paint job again.
Now I am thinking about next year; how my kids can retain their titles.
What happened to Dad's car? He did okay, you should see his smile!