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Pinewood Derby Stories and Photos from Maximum Velocity
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PINEWOOD DERBY MEMORY
Twins Undefeated
My name is Joe Bilyeu I am the proud father of twin 8-year old boys, Hunter and Dylan. Last year at the BSA derby races we were totally embarrassed. We built two nice looking cars, but they were as slow as a turtle. We got beat by every car in the district. My boys almost fired me. So this year I vowed to redeem our good name. I read everything I could find on derby car racing (thank you Maximum Velocity for the helpful hints). We worked months on our cars. The boys painted, polished, and shined; raised a wheel, aligned the car, and installed red micro lights.
It was worth it all. Out of our pack of twenty-two boys, Dylan’s car took first in his den and first in the pack. Hunter’s car took second -- his only loss was to his brother. We couldn’t wait until the district race. The boys were so excited.
The night of the district race, I knew we had two fast cars. I also knew I wanted them to be separated from each other in the elimination brackets (so one wouldn't eliminate the other early in the event). There were fifty-nine cars entered. At weigh-in they gave us number 146 and 149; I didn't think that was very far apart.
When the race began I ask the race officials to separate the cars, which they did. Heat after heat Hunter and Dylan's cars went undefeated. The final heat was our two cars and another car, all three undefeated. The other car looked very impressive; they had built its own box to keep it in so nobody could touch it. I told the boys they were both guaranteed a trophy now, and they were all smiles. We called their mother each round, telling her, "It's sixteen cars left!" Then, "Eight cars left!" Then finally, "Three cars left!"
At the final heat our pack was there rooting us on. In the first heat Dylan's car took first and Hunter's car took second. The second heat was the same. In the third heat Hunter's car took first, followed by Dylan’s car. The crowd went wild; the twins had won first and second in the District!