LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- In what could only be described as a morning filled with photo finishes, six young Del Rioans took home trophies representing the hard work they put in with their parents building their AWANA Grand Prix racecars. The mini-racecars are based on the popular Boy Scout "Pinewood Derby" racers. In all, more than 35 children entered cars in the competition held at the First Baptist Church in Del Rio Saturday.
Eleven-year-old Susanah Scheller took top honors in the speed category, followed by Thomas Ochello, 9, and 6-year-old Makayla Davis. Demonstrating great imagination constructing his Grand Prix Racer, 9-year-old Andrew Ochello garnered the First Place Design Trophy, followed by Riley Hall, 11, and 7-year-old Taylor Duke.
"The kids really came out with some great designs," said Robert Estrada, who leads the AWANAs at Del Rio Bible Church. "You can tell they really put a lot of work into this--every kid was a winner today." Robert works in Laughlin's 47th Civil Engineer Squadron.
These miniature racecars are made of pinewood and have plastic wheels that rotate on steel axles. Gravity fuels the cars, and the only force opposing them is friction, so the main goal is to minimize the friction from the wheel spinning on the axle itself and from the wheel's contact with the track. To combat that friction, racers can sand the wheel's tread and the inner surface of its hub. Some even "cone" the hub to reduce the area of contact with the axle. Second, the wheels can be polished, and many racers raise a front wheel slightly to keep it from contacting the track and further reduce friction. Finally, powdered graphite is commonly used as a lubricant between the wheel and axle.
Race rules state the cars may not exceed five ounces, so kids had the opportunity to weigh their cars and add molten lead, if needed, to reach the maximum weight while getting their cars ready for racing. After the modifications, all entrants were required to submit their cars to an official weigh-in before consigning them to the pit area where they were held at all times while not actively racing.
The more than 35 racecars were spectacular. Numerous designs and colors were displayed in the pit area awaiting the scheduled heats. There were pick-up trucks, dragsters and even what looked like a tractor-trailer. Some remained fairly close to stock, while others were highly modified with wings and even little Lego drivers glued into place behind cowlings and steering wheels.
Just as any first-rate competition has to have dedicated and unbiased officials, Saturday's AWANA Grand Prix was no different. Master Sgt. Dave Drotts, 47th Force Support Squadron at Laughlin Air Force Base, managed the race, while 2nd Lt. Ryan Van Buskirk, 47th Operations Support Squadron, proved to be a talented race commentator.
Sandra Suseland, T-6 Maintenance at Laughlin, joined Katie McDonald, whose father Jimmy McDonald is Laughlin's Assistant Fire Chief, and Sharon Hartsfield. The three young ladies monitored the electronic equipment as line judges to ensure finishes were recorded properly.
Though many Pinewood Derbies use single or double elimination heats, today's Grand Prix incorporated a scoring method called the Partial Perfect N Chart according to Sergeant Drotts, race manager. The more common derby elimination method means a relatively short racing career for most contestants, but the N method means all the children not only get to race more often, but also longer, enhancing the amount of fun they get to have. Since the kids put so much effort into building their cars, they ought to get to race them more than the three or four times the elimination method allows. Throughout the morning, each child got to race at least 8 heats, and the top scorers conducted a three-heat raceoff.
Speaking to one of the higher purposes the race served, First Baptist's Darrell Hartsfield called the gathering as "great fellowship for the kids--that's what it's all about." Darrell leads the AWANA program there.
Capt. Jeff Bowden, a physician at Laughlin's 47th Medical Operations Squadron, was happy to come out and be part of the race with 7-year-old son, Cole. "I think it's a great chance to build better bonds with my son." Doctor Bowden said he certainly appreciated the hard work of all the folks who put the race together.
"Watching the kids get excited is what makes it fun for me," said Cindy Lewis, who works at Laughlin's Engine Regional Repair Center for Lear-Sigler Inc., a contractor at Laughlin. Cindy's 4-year-old Kristen raced Saturday. Her other daughter, Katie, is Miss Del Rio.
Frank Ochello, a former B-52 pilot and instructor, volunteered to be the race's official starter, responsible for placing the cars in the starting blocks, then lowering the starting gate to allow the cars to begin their lightning-fast trek to the finish line. Frank, who now works as a T-6 Simulator Instructor for LSI at Laughlin's 47th Operations Group, said the race helps to teach the kids about good sportsmanship and also gives parents a great opportunity to spend time with their kids.
T-1 Instructor Pilot Maj. Mike Stevens, 96th Flying Training Squadron, joined his son, Cole, in the racing fun. "It's just great to see all the kids taking part in a Christian activity and having such good fellowship," he said.
When it was all over, each racer who participated took a ribbon home for their hard work.