“Summer Nationals” Pinewood Derby

The Gualala Arts “Summer Nationals” Pinewood Derby races will be held on Saturday, July 16, 2016, starting at 11 a.m.

Gualala Arts has made registration for this event free if racers submit their entry forms by Sunday, July 10. After July 10, the cost to enter a race car will be $10. Registration forms are available to download online at GualalaArts.org and at the Gualala Arts Center. Official Boy Scouts of America car kits can be purchased at the Gualala Arts Center for $5, including tax, from any Scouts’ headquarters, locally at Heart of a Child Toys, or online from various websites that offer official kits. Registrations will be accepted up to 10:45 a.m. the day of the races, but Gualala Arts is encouraging racers to take advantage of the free early registration.

Returning in support of the Auto Show for the sixth year, the races will again be run on Gualala Arts’ state-of-the-art aluminum race track, complete with computerized time, speed, and results display. Youth and those young at heart are encouraged to design and build their own custom car to race. Classifications for racing include eight and under, nine through 13 years, 13 to 18 years, 18 years and older, Vintage, and Unlimited. Trophies will be awarded for both First and Second Place in each classification. One “Best Time Overall” trophy will be awarded to the car with the lowest total elapsed time among all classifications, with the exception of those in Vintage and Unlimited. All entries in each class will also be judged for their artistic execution, and each class will have a Most Artistic award presented to one entry. There will also be an overall Most Artistic award presented to a single car regardless of class. All racers will receive participation medallions.

Another feature of this event will be the opportunity for any racer under 18 to leave their race car at the Arts Center to be included in the Automobilia fine art exhibit on display from July 1 -31. Any race car left at the exhibit will be displayed for the remainder of the exhibit and will be eligible for a “People’s Choice” award for favorite Pinewood Derby car. First Place and Second Place awards will be given, with First Place receiving a ribbon and a $25 cash prize and Second Place receiving a ribbon and a $10 cash prize.

Gualala Arts is looking for volunteers to make this event the success it has been in the past. The Auto Show committee is currently seeking volunteers for workshops, day-of registration, food service, tech specifications, track set up, and race day helpers.

For more information go to GualalaArts.org, visit the Gualala Arts Center or call (707) 884-1138.