A Gardeners Forum Forums General Discussion The Banter Hall Pinewood Derby

My son entered his cub scout pinewood derby yesterday and won "Best in Show" for his spongebob car.

That is impressive!! Well done!

Very good, Mel. I didn't know what a pinewood derby was. I was thinking soapbox derby cars where they ride them down a hill. Congrats to your son! He did a great job!

Congratulations to your son, mel !!!

very well done !!!

Thank you everyone.

Tina, it's a little block of pine that the kids carve into any shape car they want. Then they race them down a wooden track four at a time, four different heats against other cars , then the top placers race each other. My son's car placed 4th(last) in each heat he raced , but was okay with that as he was going for "Best in Show" and not speed. Then he did win the Best so he was very happy.

Here's a picture of the track:

that is so cool. I especially like the head lights. How hold is he?

Did they carve them at meetings or at home.

Thank you, Sheri.

They carve them at home with adult help. My BF did all the helping, he's better at things like that than I am.

Matthew came up with the concept right away, but still looked through hundreds of pictures to get ideas. But right from the start spongebob was what he wanted to do. And he knew he wanted "best in show" and he didn't care about the speed. His car was very light, it only weiged 3.1 oz and the limit is 5 oz. so he could've added weights but chose not too.

He helped with the cutting, carving , sanding and painting. He is 8y/o so did what he could.

Last year I helped him and we did a tank. Again, his idea. I think it came out pretty good for my first time, but really I was clueless with it. They did have a workshop for us a couple weeks before the event and that was helpful.

Last year:




He didn't win anything last year, the competition was stiff.

How old is he?

His tank is great. Who won? Did the school bus have more wood?

Sheri , he is 8. I believe last year the "best in show" was won by either the jet (in the picture below to the left of Matthew's tank) or the school bus. No, the school bus does not have more wood, everyone starts out with the same block of wood. It's just how you cut it and glue it to change the shape.



We had to get a second block of wood this year, the dog, Freckles , ate the first one. Left him alone in my bedroom one day and he found the wrapped, boxed block of wood and tore it to shreds! Lucky for me, it was only $4- to replace it.

Cool car Mel!! They did a great job on it. Glad to hear that he won Best in Show!!

Its soo cool that he chose Spongebob!!! He did a GREAT job too!!!

Our Awana church program does this but it is called The Grand Prix. The leaders are supposed to make a car too and I also did Spongebob!!! Here's a picture of mine....blurry, but you can still make it out.

scott and matthew always did pinewood derby. and weezie is always up to her ears in it too good clean fun for boys (and girls, a lot of sisters get in on it, kate did )

tell your matthew he did a good job!

I've never heard of this before but I think it's great. I love his Sponge Bob. The headlights kill me. I can't wait to show Johnny these pictures.

Way to go Matthew.

I just love these Spongebob racers. I'm a secret spongebob watcher. :wink: