Awana® Grand Prix, Pinewood Derby®, Kub Kar Rally, and other similar gravity powered races can be lots of fun and a great learning experience for the kids. However, a good race takes a great amount of planning, coordination and resources. This site is dedicated to providing race coordinators and leaders with ideas, information and resources to help stage an exciting and fair race for the children that are building and racing their handmade creations.

Key Features of this Site:

• Content - Pages of ideas, information and resources on how to plan and coordinate your Awana Grand Prix and Pinewood Derby style race. There are topics covering Tracks, Electronics, Software, Scales, Scheduling Methods, and more.
• Downloads - Various documents, graphics and other files that can help with your race. You can even contribute to this great resource.
• Photo Gallery - Over 200 car photos from my family, our Awana club and site visitors. These can help those kids who are not sure just what design they want to build. You can even submit your own car photos!
• Polls/Surveys - Let us know how you do your race and what equipment you use and see how others responded.
• Product Reviews - See and submit reviews on various race related products and services. Help others to know what to buy or not to buy.
• Site Search - All of the content on this site is searchable. You can even go to the Photo Gallery and search for specific cars.
• Links - Links to various Awana Grand Prix and Pinewood Derby race websites. You can even submit your favorites.
• Submit News or Stories - Let us know about any special event coming up or submit your favorite race memories.

Awana is a registered trademark of Awana Clubs International.
Pinewood Derby is a registered trademark of the Boy Scouts of America.

This site is not affiliated with Awana, Boy Scouts of America, or any other organization running these types of races.

The first Pinewood Derby race was held on May 15, 1953, by Cub Scout Pack 280C in Manhattan Beach, California. The Cubmaster, Don Murphy, had a son that was too young to participate in the popular Soap Box Derby races, so he came up with the idea of racing miniature wood cars. In a Scouting Magazine article, Mr. Murphy recalled "I'd made models of airplanes, cars, boats, and any number of other structures and remembered the pleasure I got out of doing it," he said. "I also wanted to devise a wholesome, constructive activity that would foster a closer father-son relationship and promote craftsmanship and good sportsmanship through competition."

Since 1953, the race has grown tremendously in popularity with the Cub Scouts. Pinewood Derby racing also caught on with several other organizations like Awana, which calls their version the Awana Grand Prix. The first Awana Grand Prix took place in 1964 and by 2004, approximately 200,000 boys and girls competed in race events in the US. For more information on the history of the Awana Grand Prix check out this Awana article.

Pinewood Derby, Awana Grand Prix, and other similar races are now held in various countries around the world and involve boys and girls working with their dads, moms or other adult partners.