The LAST Pinewood derby (or is it?)

It's that time of year again, Pinewood Derby Time. This year is special because it's our boys last Pinewood derby, the boys will be too old next year, this is their final year of cub scouts.

From the box the boys get just a block of pinewood, 4 nails for axles, 4 plastic wheels and that's it!




First the boys did a little planning and discussed what they may want to do with their cars this year.



They drew out plans and then the cutting and sanding began.


Tristan is a super sander. Getting the cars nice and smooth can make a difference.



There is a parents and siblings race too, Below is the start of Hayley's car.


Although the cars come with black wheels the boys are allowed to use colored wheels as long as they're BSA approved. Sanding the wheels can help in case there are little bumps from the molds.



Painting comes next.


Then it's race day! Unfortunately I FORGOT MY CAMERA! I should have some pictures coming soon as a friends daughters took a bunch for me. I was so upset to forget my camera though!

The short story is that Tristan was doing awesome. Winning every race he was in. Colin was doing very well but had a couple seconds not all firsts. Sadly in one race Tristan's car jumped the track a little and that gave him a last place putting him way back in the scoring. He never quite regained his lead although by then end he placed in the top ten. Colin's car on the other hand seemed to get faster with every run. Colin found himself in the final 4! It was a nerve wracking time waiting for the final 4 to race 4 times. In the end Colin came in Second! he got a trophy and will race again in the regionals in May. So in fact this was not our last Pinewood derby after all!

Colin and his trophy.


Hayley and her car. She raced in the parents and siblings race and won all her rounds! It's just for fun though no trophy.She patterned her car after the stuffed animal she's holding.


Tristan did very well but he was understandably sad after the race. Hard to be winning and then fall back. hard to see your brother bring home a nice sized trophy. About an hour after taking the photo below (and one even more forlorn looking picture) Tristan saw the photos and said we need to take a new picture of him and his car tomorrow because these didn't look very nice. I think he was starting to feel better about the whole thing.


Colin on the other hand is thrilled, I don't think he expected to do so well. he worked hard on his car though and it paid off. Now we get to do it all again on a bigger scale in May when we go to the regional race!