The Pinewood Derby Race

This was amazing.  First of all, the process of making the car was a good experience for Will and Tim.  They found an idea online for an 'icar' that looked like an ipod.  It was the perfect design for him. Simple, unique, and right along with his interests - since he loves his ipod and has it with him much of the time.  They sanded, glued, painted, and constructed in a bunch of steps over a couple of weeks.

BTW - see that hammer Will is using?  Mike just sent this photo last week of Tim getting this same hammer as a gift when he was Will's age - cool, huh?   

 

It really made Will practice patience because he wanted it finished NOW!  But it made the final product that much sweeter when he saw how it turned out.

 

On Tuesday evening they took it to the weigh in already knowing it was right at legal weight since they had been weighing it all along at home. 

Then on Friday night we showed up at the race not really knowing what to expect.  We had talked with Will A LOT about not winning. Preparing him for the fact that there were only a couple of winners in a bunch of boys and we will be OK if we don't win - it's just for fun and everybody gets a trophy and gets to take their car home to keep forever.  He seemed ok with all that, but we knew when the time came it could get a little tense.  

The pack really handled the whole Derby in a very organized, fun way.  They had all the different divisions going at different times.  

So at 7:30 it was just the Bears (third grade boys) competing.   Four cars could race at one time and each car would race at least four times on all the different tracks.

 

  

The first two times Will's car came in FIRST!  Then he came in second, then first again. By the time he ended up in the finals he was mostly first and second places, with a couple of third and a fourth place.  We couldn't believe it when he ended up in the finals and the thought of him actually placing was amazing!!  

This is my favorite photo of the night. Look at his excitement as his icar comes in first place!

  

 

Tim diligently filmed each of his races.  We lost count after about 8 races.

These are the final four boys that ended up competing for places.  The other three were quite experienced Pinewood Derby racers, so we felt honored to be among them.

 

He ended up in fourth place with a participation trophy! We were so proud of him and how well he did!  This is his den leader, Lisa. Her day job is working with kids with disabilities for the school as an IBI therapist.  She handles William wonderfully and we are so happy to be in her den.

 

  
  

I think he was super close to getting third place, but ended up in fourth place with a participation trophy.  I really don't think he realized how close he was.  He handled it so wonderfully - the whole process.  It was chaotic, loud, exciting, and fast paced - just the nature of a well run pinewood derby.  We couldn't have asked for more from him.  Afterwards we had to explain how he got fourth place.  We told him that he was one of the four best cars of the Bears and that he was in the championship races.  He was good with that.  I'm still reeling over how far he got and how well he handled the whole thing.  Amazing.  Watch the video - I know it's nearly 10 minutes long, but it's all of his races.  Watch his reaction after he wins the first time - priceless. And how well he does holding it together in all that excitement.