Go Speed Racer!

The night before, all the boys had to weigh and register their cars. Braden had to add some weight and it ended up being exactly 5oz...perfect :) All the cars got locked up until the race the following evening.

We charged our camera battery the day of and beat all the odds by arriving early and snagging front row seats, mission accomplished, all we had to do was sit back and enjoy the show.

26 cars, 4 races each (once in each lane)... Let the races begin!

Lane 2 - 3rd place

Lane 3 - starting position.

Lane 3 - 4th place.

Hum...that's a shame...it's not doing so well...did we forget something???

Uh-oh...graphite!!!!! I can't believe we forgot to add the key ingredient :(

He only has one race left...will it be enough?

Karen raced to the car and added graphite with just a moment to spare...here we go...


Lane 1 - starting position.

Lane 1 - "come on Bolt"

WHAT!!!??? He got 1st place? It worked!...too bad we didn't get it on sooner, Braden might've had a chance to place.

Karen was extremely disappointed, the car wasn't the best it could be (due to parental error).

We all had refreshments and watched as the boys got to compete again (just for fun).

Braden won 1st place - twice and 2nd place - twice. I felt for sure he could've done better but I put it behind me and enjoyed the night.



Award ceremony...cheese :)

Great job Braden!

A SUPRISE TWIST...

Our family was leaving when 2 officials along with Braden's pack leader stopped us, they were holding two sheets of paper and looked excited. The first paper was pre-graphite it showed Braden in 18th place...to be expected. The second paper was post-graphite and it showed Braden in 5th place.

Excuse me? Hold the phone! You mean Braden moved up 13 places with just 1 final race?

YAHOO...We were soooo excited to know that "Bolt" did better than we thought and if raced with graphite for all 4 races...he might have been in the top 3!!!

Oh...parental guilt released :D

Later that night I passed by Braden's room. He was laying in bed holding his car in the air and singing "I am the champion"!

Even though he didn't win the race, Braden was happy in the knowledge that he built an amazing and fast car...

And I'm happy that his last race was memorable. Who knows, maybe he'll have a son and can do it all again (vicariously of course) ;)

Which reminds me of the movie.

It was cute and funny :)

The Making Of...

Braden chose the design and colors, he sanded and painted his derby car...


car and supplies.

Naturally an adult had to use the power tool. Cool recessed lightning bolt!

Blue spray paint, it took a lot of coats.

Time to paint the bolt.

Lost in concentration.

The wheels were a power tool neccessity (for speed)...sorry Braden adults only but you did spray paint the trim pieces :)

Now for the final touches...glue on the trim, add the wheels and spray a clear coat.

Voila.

Job well done...we think :)