Awana Grand Prix a success

The First Baptist Church in Cherokee Village recently held their Awana Grand Prix, box car derby drawing participants of all age ranges and walks of life.

According to Alisa Black, who works in the children’s ministry at the church, the event was coordinated by Matthew Black, John Kietzmann and Josh and Kristen Gooch.

“On Friday night, we had youth and adults that raced, and it always gets competitive which is funny. The following day, we had our kindergarten through 6^th grade competition and this year the local scout troops competed,” Black said. 

The two-day derby took place April 21, providing wholesome family fun, an opportunity to be encouraged, as well as some education for the participants.

“It is a good Christian atmosphere where you could hang out for the day and get some extra encouragement. We encourage families to work together as a unit to create the cars they do. There were first, second and third place awards in two divisions, design and speed,” Black said. 

To help ensure fairness, Black explained the box cars are built and designed using a pre-packaged kit.

“There are three different kits, a truck, Indy car or a block of wood, and once they are built and designed, they run down an aluminum track on the gym floor. This year, we had some that looked like hot dogs, one that looked like a bathtub, one that looked like a butterfly. There were so many different designs the kids came up with and some of the cars can get really close in speed, so we have a timer on the track,” Black said.

When asked what the event looks like, Black said the participants would bring their cars to the gym and place them in a “go/no go” box to ensure they were within the sizing guidelines.

The cars are then taken to the pit crew who weigh the cars to ensure they are five ounces in weight.

“Sometimes they have to drill them out or add led to them, so they come to the correct weight it needs to be so that everyone is on a level playing field,” Black said.

Once the cars have been checked, it’s off to the races.

The winners of this year’s derby in youth and adult’s 7^th through 12^th grade design winners: 1^stplace, Olivia Kelly; 2^nd place Tristan Batey and 3^rdplace Sophia Kelly.

Adults design:  1^st place John Kietzmann; 2^nd place Matthew Black and 3^rd place Rowdy Trivitt.

Speed winners are: 1^st place Luke Lozier, 2^ndplace, Bob Greenlee and 3^rd place Sam Kietzmann.

In the junior division for design kindergarten through 2^nd grade: 1st place went to Tabias Trivitt, 2^nd place to Chevy Trivitt and 3^rd place to Ezra Sims.

Design for junior division 3^rd through 6^th grade: 1^stplace Trinity Reed, 2^nd place Heidi Siebert and 3^rdplace Dayne Dienst.

Junior division speed winners: 1^st place Avery Treat, 2^nd place Tatum Huff and 3^rd place Christian Kelly.

Black said she would like to extend parents with children ages three or older to attend the weekly Awanas each Wednesday night from 6 p.m. until 7:30 p.m.