Awana Ministry Conference 2010
1


First race in 1964 at First Baptist Church in Elyria, OH
Ken Starett, credited with starting Grand Prix, said
“We were reaching over 200 kids, but every time I would have an event, the dads
didn’t show up,” said Ken who doubled as Awana missionary to Ohio at the time. “I
really didn’t have any ministry to dads at all.”


Purpose is to get more dads involved and to be a tool to
spread the gospel, especially to an audience that might
not otherwise go to church
In 2000 approximately 175,000 boys & girls participated
in over 5,000 churches in the US. An estimated onethird of Awana registered churches participate in Grand
Prix annually.
2
It is turning
blocks of
wood into
these and
racing them
down a
track while
using the
opportunity
to spread
the Gospel
& get dads
involved.
3
4
5



Recruit Race Commissioner
Set date
Decide who should participate?
 Best suited for 3rd – 8th graders
 High school, leaders & parents in separate race
 Sparks? - If include, then separate race.

How to finance the event?
 Registration fee of $5 - $7 per car kit

Promote and distribute registration forms
6


Five weeks – announce event, hand out flyers w/ details, posters
Four weeks – Sell kits & encourage kids, register cars, recruit help,
schedule construction workshop

Three weeks – Display speed & design trophies, encourage
registrations, contact paper & request reporter

Two weeks – Send out invitations asking family members to
attend

One week – Hold construction workshop, have track and scale
available to see how cars run and to check for eligibility

Race day – Take lots of pictures, send to local paper with write-up if
no reporter, welcome visitors & invite to church
7













Race Commissioner – supervise all aspects of Grand Prix
Publicity – promote the event
Construction workshop coordinator
Decorations and set up – set up and test track, pit area, etc.
Inspectors – checks cars for size and weight qualificiations
Emcee/announcer – announces drivers and car numbers
Design judges – determine top place finishers in design
Speaker to present short message
Official starter – operates starting gate and is chief official
Finish line judges – determine winners of each heat
Record keepers – record race results
Refreshments – optional
Photographer - optional
8




Track – preferably 4 lane, may be able to borrow/rent one
Racing kits – wood block, wheels, axles, decals, instructions
Racing board – list results & standings
Tables & signs
 Inspection Table – scale & ruler for eligibility
 Repair Table – tools & supplies for last minute adjustments
 Pit Table – holding area for cars after checked in



Trophies
Timer – optional but nice for those close calls
Computer racing software – optional but adds interest if
hooked to a timer and/or if hooked to projector for wall display
9
10
Software
 Grand Prix Race Manager
http://grandprix-software-central.com/

Derby Master
http://www.enterprisingideas.com/derbymaster/index.html
Timers
 New Bold Products – Turbo Timer
http://www.pinewood-derby-timer.com/home.html

The Champ Timer
http://www.besttrack.com/champ_timer.htm
NOTE: Make sure software & timer are compatible
11





Cars raced in previous years not eligible. Must
be newly built for this race.
Clubbers must use axles, wheels & wood
supples in the kit. Add-ons welcome.
Max weight 5 oz.
Max length 7”, max width 2.75”, max height
3”, minimum underneath clearance of 3/8”
One car per clubber
12




Optional but strongly encouraged for those
single moms or households without the
necessary equipment – saws, sanders, etc.
Hold a week or so before the race
Have track set up so clubbers can see how
their cars run. Don’t let them race each other.
Have scale there to check weights
13





Strategically pick a date
Require minimum # of passed sections to
compete
Have scale available ahead of time to avoid
last minute surprises
Length of event - depends on number of
participants but aim for one to no more than
two hours
Scheduling racers
14

Many different methods with pros & cons






Elimination methods
Round robin
Lane rotation
Perfect-N and Partial Perfect-N
See http://www.rahul.net/mcgrew/derby/methods.html for details
Search the web for additional information
 “What is Double-Elimination and How Does it Work?”
http://www.cubscoutpack273.org/derby/dblelim.html
 Partial Perfect-N Chart Generator
http://stanpope.net/ppngen.html
15
16








Best of Show
Most Colorful
Most Realistic
Most Patriotic
Most Unusual
Most Creative
Most Futuristic
Sportiest Looking
(these don’t have to be trophies)
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24