Pinewood Derby Champion!

Brody had the opportunity to participate in his very first Pinewood Derby this year.  He was extremely excited but I don't think any more so than Shane.  After receiving the kit, Shane went on the internet to find out as much as he could about pinewood derby cars.  It was fun to watch him explain the different steps in building a car to Brody.  After many hours of work, including almost 3 hours by numerous people (myself included) on the flames alone, he had the derby car he wanted.  Next year we will buy stickers! When we arrived at the race, one of the boys mentioned that he had bought $40.00 wheels to put on his car to make it faster. The rules of the derby state that you are supposed to use the parts included in the kit. He was the scout leader's son and kept telling all the boys how he was going to win because of the money they spent on the car.  Brody was extremely nervous and we kept telling him that extra money and adjustments to the rules doesn't guarantee a winner.  As the cars started racing, it was interesting to see that the car that had the more expensive parts on it wasn't fairing so well.  In fact, the little boys family started asking me all sorts of questions about Brody's car. "Where did you put the weights.  Front or back."  "Did he get better wheels?"  etc.  Unfortunately I couldn't help them out being as how I didn't help on the car except for the flames.  Maybe...that's what made it go so fast.  Once again there is a lesson to be learned.  Money does not buy happiness and...breaking the rules doesn't pay off.

The finished product...Look at those Flames!  HOT!!!

Good looking car if I do say so myself.  It was exactly what he wanted.

Getting ready to race.

And they're off! Several races took place and this is what the majority of them looked like..

The boys anxiously waiting to see who won.

Brody was so excited.  1st place and undefeated.  Haylie was quite the cheerleader.  She cheered him on through almost every race.

First place in the Derby + Best in Show...can't ask for more than that.

Just as soon as we got home Brody wanted to call his Grandpa Allen and Grandma Connie to tell them that he had won since they weren't able to make it to the race.  We all had a lot of fun and look forward to another great experience next year.