Hey, everyone, I'm Kevin. My first pinewood derby was roughly 20 years ago. I was living with my mom and her second husband, who didn't have time to help me with my car. I managed to hack up the block, with a coping saw, and painted it with some old house paint. It was uglier than home made soap and wasn't the least bit fast.
This year, my son, Konnor, got into Tiger Cubs and I took the Den Leader role, upon his request. When the PWD was announced, I asked him what he wanted his car to look like. He is enamored with everything John Deere, so he wanted a tractor. After getting spanked in the raingutter regatta, I asked him if he wanted it to look cool, or if he wanted to win.
"Dada, I want to win!"
So begins my trek to build a fast car.
Our pack had two scouts, from the same family, that dominated the derby for the last 5 years. My sights weren't set on them, I just wanted him to place in his Den. After all my research, I decided to try our hands with a rail rider. All the research, and time, paid off.
He started the evening early, during the race set up, by doing a practice run against our Assistant Cub Master's car, and one of his son's cars. Konnor won 3 out of 3 races. Our confidence was boosted, but the champ wasn't there yet.
His car, John Deere, went on to win all 4 heats, in his den. He had two runs under 3 seconds; took the first place trophy for the Tigers.
On to the finals ... along with the reigning champ. Undefeated in those 4 heats as well!
This year, my son, Konnor, got into Tiger Cubs and I took the Den Leader role, upon his request. When the PWD was announced, I asked him what he wanted his car to look like. He is enamored with everything John Deere, so he wanted a tractor. After getting spanked in the raingutter regatta, I asked him if he wanted it to look cool, or if he wanted to win.
"Dada, I want to win!"
So begins my trek to build a fast car.
Our pack had two scouts, from the same family, that dominated the derby for the last 5 years. My sights weren't set on them, I just wanted him to place in his Den. After all my research, I decided to try our hands with a rail rider. All the research, and time, paid off.
He started the evening early, during the race set up, by doing a practice run against our Assistant Cub Master's car, and one of his son's cars. Konnor won 3 out of 3 races. Our confidence was boosted, but the champ wasn't there yet.
His car, John Deere, went on to win all 4 heats, in his den. He had two runs under 3 seconds; took the first place trophy for the Tigers.
On to the finals ... along with the reigning champ. Undefeated in those 4 heats as well!
