Chapman School hosted the returning Pinewood Derby races on Saturday, March 4 as part of Anchor Point’s Snow Rondi revival. Community turnout filled the gym bleachers, but Snow Rondi organizers are hoping to grow event participation next year.
Jeanette Shafer, who has worked with previous derbies, moderated the race and kept track of the times and scorecard. Chapman School volunteer Mike Smith helped the contestants set their cars on the track and started the races.
Derby contestants were divided into three categories: wood cars, age 0 to fourth grade; wood cars, fifth grade to adult; and Lego cars, all ages.
Three contestants at a time from each category raced their cars in a heat. Each contestant ran their car three times, once on each of the three lanes provided on the track. The car with the fastest recorded time at the end of the heat was added to the list of derby finalists that would compete in a final race.
2023 Pinewood Derby Race Results
Category Winners
Age 0 to fourth grade:
First place: Carter Rauh, with 2.6204 seconds, average 188.64 mph
Second place: Rox Shafer, with 2.7300 seconds, average 181.07 mph
Third place: Irelynn Poindexter, with 2.7339 seconds, average 180.81 mph
Fifth grade to adult:
First place: Kiano Slaugher, with 2.5966 seconds, average 190.37 mph
Second place: Asa Shafer, with 2.6382 seconds, average 187.37 mph
Third place: Aiden Overson, with 2.6624 seconds, average 185.67 mph
Lego:
First place: Rox Shafer, with 3.1247 seconds, average 158.20 mph
Second place: Justice Poindexter, with 3.1278 seconds, average 158.04 mph
Third place: Eli Mullen, with 3.2609 seconds, average 151.59 mph
Final Winners
First place: Kiano Slaughter, with 2.6074 seconds, average 189.58 mph
Second place: Carter Rauh, with 2.6278 seconds, average 188.11 mph
Third place: Asa Shafer, with 2.6326 seconds, average 187.77 mph
Pinewood derby contestants watch their cars race down the track in the Chapman School gym during the Snow Rondi festival on Saturday, March 4 in Anchor Point, Alaska. (Photo by Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Pinewood derby contestants wait for their cars to cross the finish line in the Chapman School gym during the Snow Rondi on Saturday, March 4 in Anchor Point, Alaska. (Photo by Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
