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shape is, many competing scouts and their Moms and Dads have discovered ways to break the rules. Unfortunately, Don Murphy's original idea for the event, "a wholesome, constructive activity that would foster a closer father-son relationship and promote craftsmanship and good sportsmanship through competition", has in some cases been all but forgotten by over zealous parents who want to win at all cost.

Completed kits are now available online at http://pinewood-derby-cars.net /cars/index.htm, a site that guarantees winning results, with some kits costing in excess of $200! It appears that for some, the Pinewood Derby is no longer the character building, parent-child project that has as its main focus "do your best, work smart, and work hard to achieve your goal."

Having three sons who were all scouts, I've been involved in several Derby's. It's been our experience that the organizers have done an outstanding job maintaining the equal playing field. We had some cool looking cars; our "Hulk Rules!" car featured the Hulkster himself at the wheel! It wasn't very aerodynamic, it was extremely slow, but was the toughest car in the race. The following year we went for pure speed. Our wedge design incorporated an air escape tunnel and it was the fastest car in the event. The next year we carved out an even more aerodynamic design, but lost to a father and son who used a hot glue gun to add several nickels to their poorly designed car, after the official weigh-in and before the race, making it heavier. It descended like a lead bobsled and took the prize. At the districts, it was too heavy and with the additional coins removed, it didn't even compete.

On July 1, 2008, 55 years after the first Pinewood Derby, Don Murphy passed away at the age of 90. The Pinewood Derby is a tradition that needs to continue and the integrity of the race upheld by enforcing the rules. By fostering a closer father-son relationship and promoting craftsmanship and good sportsmanship through competition, Don Murphy's creation has played a big part in the lives of the 80,000 plus scouts who have participated in the Derby nation wide since the beginning. A $4 kit consisting of a single block of wood, 4 plastic wheels, and 4 small nails creates an even playing field where valuable life lessons are learned

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Learn more about this author, Vincent LeVine.
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