Weekend Warrior Project: Pinewood Derby Cars

Life lessons are passed down through generations.  Lots of these lessons are learned by how we act, respond to situations and what we do for careers and hobbies.

Growing Up

I was fortunate to have parents and grandparents who taught me hands-on skills by doing things with my brother and I as we grew up:  woodworking, vehicle maintenance, canoeing, bike riding, and an appreciation for learning new skills.  I’ve had several friends ask how I learned to construct a building or make a cabinet and the only answer I can really give is by watching my parents and grandparents.

As a boy I remember making a pinewood derby car for Cub Scouts with my grandfather.  Back then there was no internet to learn the best tricks or get design inspiration from so we made what I thought was a fast race car.  I remember adding pennies to bring it up to weight.  I also remember showing up on race day and it looked very mediocre, and in the races it performed mediocre at best.  At the time I remember being sad I didn’t win.  Looking back now a win would have been a pure miracle: this was my first time making a car in a competition where the finesse of experience is the difference between first and eighth place.  I didn’t even know basic tricks, let alone how to maximize weight placement or reduce rolling mass.