Here's a few photos of Awanas Grand Prix cars from today and yesteryear.  Maybe you've seen these things before.  As a kid, I had them for RA's in the Baptist church, as well as Cub Scouts.  Since Samuel has been in Awanas Sparks, we've had one each year.  The first year, we (okay, I generally do all the work, but don't tell anyone!) did a general race car body shape, but painted it with a special chalkboard paint and stuck two pieces of chalk in two drilled holes in the tail for exhaust pipes.  Called it the "Chalky Racer" (say it out loud, you'll get it) and got first place for design.  It was pretty fast too getting second place overall for speed.

Last year, we made a halfpipe skateboard ramp, and then countersunk some flathead screws into it so that a magnetic skateboard man would stay on "mid trick" during the ride.  Wasn't as fast as the previous year, but we did get first place for design again.

This year, we made a treasure chest.  Weight is always a challenge with these things.  They can be up to five ounces, so once they go to the church for weighing, the Awanas leaders try to weight them equally by drilling and gluing all kinds of lead weights to them.  This year, I figured we just add "treasure" (pennies) until it's the right weight.  Ironically, adding that lid made it so heavy that it'll actually race with only 13 cents worth of "treasure" inside (and one of those coins is a dime)!!!  Used my soldering iron to do that skull and aging effect, and then we stained and polyurethaned it.  The race is next Wednesday, I think.  I'll let you know how we do.

Enjoy.