The Coolest Pinewood Derby Car To Never Race

Filed under: Etc., Technology, Toys/Games

Pinewood Derby Audi R18

Pinewood Derby Audi R18 – Click above for high-res image gallery

As kids, there were only so many outlets available to satiate our automotive obsession. While we always had grand visions of things like building the ultimate model A/C Cobra or hewing the sleekest Pinewood Derby racer that the sport had ever seen, our projects typically turned out looking more like Revell nightmares and shop class castoffs. We simply lacked the granular motor skills to turn our hopes and dreams into plastic and pine realities. We’re guessing that Sam Francis never had that problem.

As a local Cub Scouts leader, Francis has made a reputation for himself by crafting unbelievably intricate Pinewood Derby cars. Last year he worked up a Keaton-era Batmobile to show the kids in his troop exactly what could be done with a little patience and a lot of skill, but this year, he wanted to do something even more special. It just so happened that while Francis was racking his brain for a little inspiration, Audi yanked back the veil on its new R18 Le Mans machine. Suddenly, Francis had his shape.

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The Coolest Pinewood Derby Car To Never Race originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 May 2011 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Automobile documents presidential limo build for Pinewood Derby

Filed under: Motorsports, Sedan, Etc.

pinewood derby presidential limo

The Pinewood Derby is a right of passage and an American institution. First run in 1953 in Manhattan Beach, California, the Pinewood Derby can help ignite fiery automotive passion in young men across the country. Automobile’s Joe Lorio recently put together a derby project car with his son and the results are impressive. The car they chose to model their own after? The presidential limousine.

After a three-year losing streak, the Lorios aimed not for first place, but rather the prizes awarded for creativity. Not only did they successfully recreate the limousine, they added sound by ripping the noise-making components out of an audio greeting card and sticking them to the bottom of the pinewood limo.

Joe and his son managed to eke out third-place finishes in each of their races with the limousine. Bigger victories, however, came in the form of the Most Original and People’s Choice awards they received for their efforts. Read the whole story at Automobilemag.com.

[Source: Automobile Magazine]

Automobile documents presidential limo build for Pinewood Derby originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 27 Mar 2011 19:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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