Pinewood Derby a Family Affair

Michael Hawkins spent his 5th birthday priming his wheels, inspecting the racetrack and collecting first prize in his division of the Indian Guides’ Pinewood Derby.

His black and flame-colored five-ounce roadster, with a bright “5” broadcasting his birthday and decorating the hood, beat out five others Sunday in the kindergarten group of the annual YMCA-sanctioned drag races.

More than three dozen 5- to 10-year-olds and two adults competed in this year’s derby, held Sunday near the food court in the Buenaventura Mall. The derby, which was split into six divisions, challenged youngsters to forge a race car weighing no more than five ounces from a single pine block.

Michael, a bit sheepish, took his triumph in stride.

“Fine,” was all he said when asked to describe the thrill of victory. However, he did concede that he had some guidance in building the quickest pine car in his heat. “My dad helped me,” he said.

Organizers said the event brings families closer by focusing on a specific ambition.

“It’s a chance for them to spend some quality time as a parent-child unit,” said YMCA Community Programs Director Mary Wilson. “As a family, they’ve taken the time to take something from scratch and make something they can be proud of.”

Each contestant received a wooden trophy to call his or her own.

“It’s a friendly competition,” Wilson said. “Everybody goes home a winner.”

A 30-foot race course with a trap gate five feet off the ground separated the swift from the sluggish, but even the least fleet cars had a chance to earn high praise. Awards were presented for the best theme car, the finest show car and the best-conceived of the adult entrants.

Trevor Johnson, an upper-division contestant whose hand-carved entry more resembled a flying arrow than a race car, took first place for theme, which this year was “Indian Lore.” First-grader Lori Low crafted a sleek, reddish car with cornered ends and her first name emblazoned on the hood to claim the top prize in the show contest, and parent Dennis Black scratched out a crusty log from the pinewood block to win the adult show crown.

Other winners included Loren Hannah, first grade; Andrea Zelzer, second grade; Kimmie Hannah, third grade; Tim Eckberg, upper division (fourth and fifth grades), and adult winner Black.