Dave,

This is my son's third year running the pinewood derby. 2004- Last in every heat he ran. 2005- Last in every heat he ran. The look on his face after each last place finish was devastating. He has won the Cub Scout Spirit Award both years, which eased the pain a bit, but not much. With two years of failure under our belts I downloaded your book and we set about building his car using your techniques. We followed just about every allowable tip from your book. I have to admit I was very skeptical that your ideas were going to work, because I had read a little bit about building pinewood cars the past two years and you see the results. Well, race day came and he was excited about racing his "ultimate" car. Because of our past experiences, I cautioned him not to expect too much. We waited anxiously until his first heat. The starting pin dropped and his car was the first to the finish! The look on his face was priceless. We could have stopped there and gone home and it would have been a great day. I told him not to get too excited, it was only one heat. Next heat, first again. Heat 3, he won again! Now, I had to tell myself not to get too excited! Heat #4, first place. The fifth and final heat against the fastest cars from the other three dens, same result, he won. He was so excited. He wound up with 3 trophies that day, Scout Spirit, 1st Place in Bear Den, and The Scout Grand Prix 1st place trophy!!!!

Thanks for sharing your experience with us.

--Steve V.

Dear Derby Champ,

I wanted to write to say how impressed we are with your pinewood derby products. I spent over 30 hours reviewing every web site that I could Google selling pinewood derby products. I felt your site had what would result in the fastest car. I had already bought a "Speed Tips" book locally for 16 bucks. How poorly written that book was. It was worthless. I bought your Ultimate Speed Secrets book because your site sounded like you knew what you were talking about.

I already knew how to build a slow Derby car. Last year, my daughter and I built the second to the slowest car out of nearly 500 Indian Princess Competitors. The slowest car's wheel fell off and didn't finish, we were only ahead of that! My daughter cried, I was embarrassed, even realizing learning how to lose was important too.

This year we built 2 cars. One was the issue 7 dollar kit to be raced in the "stock green 5oz and under class". The other car, pink, in the Extreme unlimited category at 10 oz, was your #140 Super Wedge with raised wheel, #599 Pro RS Racing Wheels, #700 Lead Wire, #750 Bullet Lube, and mainly the "Ultimate Speed Secrets" book.

Our car was so fast, it was incredible. In a race against our Nation of 900 girls, my daughter's car took FIRST PLACE! In the final race, we were a foot in front of the competition! Others couldn't believe it. We couldn't either. From near last place to first place in a group of 900 kids! Wow! And the only thing that was different was the parts and info I secured from your web site. We beat a car by two lengths, which had beaten the entire scout group a few months earlier! Not bad for a nine year old girl!

Thanks again,

--- SB and RD

Background: A brief intro note to this testimonial: Last year Natasha worked with her son to build their very first PWD car. They took 2nd place. After the race they discovered that the first place winner was a boy who also built his car with the help of his mother (who had also purchased my book and followed it to the letter). So it was a 1, 2 sweep for the mother/son teams who had purchased my book. I heard from Natasha again this year with another exciting update on their derby racing adventures…

Hey Dave!

Both my son and I won first place at yesterday's race! He won the Webelos I division, and I took first in the Pack's very first Parents' race. My son displaced the first place winner from last year (the other mom). So the moms took 1st and 2nd again this year!

--- Natasha H.

Hi Dave:

I wanted to let you know of this year's derby results. My daughter won the pack fun run and the district open class. My son won the district derby for the second year in a row. I am sure glad I found your web
site.

Thanks again.

-Randy

First Place Again!!!

Tyler was undefeated the 2nd year in a row!

--Ron

Mr. Meade,

Thank you for you book. We went to districts, last week and placed first out of 152 racers, He didn't even lose one heat!!!

In the final championship round even the officials were commenting at how his car was "smokin' fast". My stepson was now being asked the details about his car. He could tell anybody, with confidence, about each and every part that made his car go fast. The overall race official came up to me and asked how much of the car did he build? I told her that "I engineered it, we both designed it and he built it". She smiled and said that we must make a good team.

Thank you, for the tips on the cars, but more than anything, thank you for the tips on interacting with the little champ himself.

Your convert,

Timothy S.

Dear Derby Champ,

Just a quick note to say thanks for all the tips. Great Book. Last year my Wolf Cub Cody entered his 1st derby and won the craftsmanship award. His car did not win a race though. This year He took 1st place in his pack AWESOME. Cody was so excited he even beat the weblos...Cody is a bear cub this year. I enclosed a few photos of "greased Lightning" this was Cody's design and he did all the work including polishing his own axles. I only assisted with the scroll saw and drill for the weights. How awesome watching his face light up as he won every race.

Thanks again,

---John C

Dave:

Just wanted to drop you a note to let you know our progress this year. If you will recall, my Tiger won 1st place last year for his den and 3rd in District.

We followed your tips again for this season. It was unreal! My now-Wolf cub, Cole, won 1st again for his den (never losing a race) and 2nd for the pack. After reviewing the video footage of the pack race, it was evident that there was an error in judging two of the heats, and Cole should have been awarded 1st place.

The best part of the day was when I won first place in the parents' race!!! The parents' race is even a bigger rivalry than the boys' race. I was the only woman competing. My ugly car (dubbed "the cheese"), easily beat the competition. It was hilarious. The wives and mothers in attendance were delighted when it was a female who took the title, leaving the men baffled about how a girl could have thwarted their best efforts.

District is in March. We will have three times as many entries this year, so the competition will be tough, but I know Cole's car will do well using your advice. It's nice to know we can do so much to enhance our cars' performance without breaking any rules (as some have tried to do before). As I've said before, you're a genius!

Thanks again,

---Amy T.

Dear Mr. Meade:

We really love your book and your products! Of all the products we purchase for the Pinewood Derby the products that we got from you were by far the best quality. Thanks to you, my son won 1st place in his pack and I got 1st place in our outlaw division. Last year we finished almost dead last. Now we get to go to district!

Thanks for all your help,

--- Stephanie C.

Hi Dave,

I just wanted to let you know that we all won our races on Feb 22nd. Your advice really works. My son Tanner took home the first place trophy, my 4 year old Kail won in the under age competition and I won in the fathers division. It was a complete sweep !!!

Thanks again,

--Keith H.

Dear Dave,

My boyfriend's son, Marc, was dreading his pack's upcoming Pinewood Derby tournament which was held this past weekend as his car didn't even win one race in the previous last two years. I went online to do some research on tips for winning, found your website and ordered Ultimate Speed Secrets for winning the Pinewood Derby. The publication stated that if we followed the tips, our car was sure to win some races. We were a bit skeptical but did follow many of the tips in the book and to our HUGE surprise, Marc's car came in first place in his pack's Pinewood Derby. And not only did the car win the entire race, it won undefeated! This has been a huge boost in Marc's self-esteem and I just wanted to let you know that your publication helped tremendously. Thank you, this was the best $10 I've spent in ages!

---Becky R.

We Won!!!

Got your stuff earlier this week and worked hard to build our 1st Pinewood Derby car! Got your Thunderbolt speed axles as well as the special wheels.

My son Patrick won with the fastest car in his pack and is now headed to the next race! The smile on his face as he held his trophy was priceless!! See attached photo.

Thanks for all the quality products and great info!! Bought the book today as well!

-- Rich G

David,

Thank you for all the great speed tips in your book. This was our first pinewood derby and my 6 year old Tiger Cub was convinced he would do well after all those nights in the garage. We had our fingers crossed for 3 hours as we watched Joey win every race. Out of over 60 cars, he was number one, undefeated, for the entire pack! People actually laughed at us when we told them we baked our car in the oven. Who's laughing now? Thanks again.

Regards,

---Brian H.

Dave,

We took home that day 3 first places and 1 second place!!

--Dave P.

Dear Dave,

We just wanted to say thank you! We purchased a copy of your book "Ultimate speed secrets" a set of Thunderbolt axles, and Speed Wheels. Your book was easy to read. The directions were simple and to the point! To top it all off we WON 1st PLACE in speed! WOW, you helped make this race a special memory for both of us!

Thanks again!

--Richard and Jade

It's good to know you can be creative and competitive at the same time. Winning is nice, but it's better to do it with style!

By the way, your booked helped my son's car get first place for the Tiger cubs in his pack.

Even though I was in scouts 30+ years ago, I didn't know what to expect going to the Derby with my son. I had forgotten a lot of details and I was sure things had changed a bit over the years. We still ended up getting first place for the Tigers!

Thanks again,

--Kevin W.

David,

Attached is an e-mail from our derby held yesterday. My son's car did not lose a single heat. I want to thank you for all of your help and promptness in answering my questions.

Best Regards,

Tony P

David,

Attached is a picture of the three cars. The Blue car won 2nd in the pack and the middle (Talon) won 1st in the pack.

Again,

Thanks for your website and materials.

--Ty A.

Dave,

I wanted to thank you for your tips in building our "Ultimate Pinewood Derby Racer". This was my sons first Pinewood Derby and we faithfully followed your "Ultimate Speed Secrets" book. He raced in 10 races and won hands down in every heat, taking 1st in his Den and the Pack. His pack had over 50 cars entered! His car was a modified wedge design with an extended wheel base and raised wheel, using Super H Speed Wheels and Thunderbolt Speed Axles. We also used the new Bullet Lube. My son was really nervous for his first ever pinewood derby heat not knowing how his car would perform against the others. After the first race his was full of excitement and confidence. Taking pictures for every race it was apparent that his car pulled ahead in the first foot and never slowed down. Some races he was ahead by 1/2 car length in the first two feet. In the end, all the parents were wondering how this car was so fast.
Thanks for sharing your tips and experience.

--Tim Sr. and Tim Jr.

Dave,

I wanted to thank you for your assistance and tips how on to increase the speed on pinewood derby cars. My son won his first pinewood derby event and everyone had a great time. Attached is the winning photo of the car and the driver.

Take care.

--- Tom S.

My son won Grand Champion in his pack Feb 2006 with your supplies and info. He is building his car ALL BY HIMSELF this year and we will order soon.

Thank you,
---Cristi

Dave,

WE BLEW THE DOORS OFF EVERYONE AT OUR DISTRICT RACE! WE WERE .68 SEC FASTER THAN THE SECOND PLACE CAR! THANKS TO YOUR BOOK, AND TOOLS, OUR CAR WAS SO FAST IT WAS ALMOST UNFAIR! WE CAN'T WAIT TO BUILD NEXT YEARS CAR!

Sincerely,

Frank C.

Dave,

Our "FIRE STREAK" took first place !!! Second place car did not even come close!

--Gordy Sr.

After two years of building Best of Show cars, my son and I decided to move over and let someone else have a chance. This year's challenge was speed, so I bought your guide. The results were great! We just took 1st place in the Pack

Thanks,

---Terry B.

Dave,

Just wanted to let you know we read your book and used the ideas outlined in it to build our car. The car we built was undefeated in both my son's Pack and District Pinewood Derby's. Thanks for the excellent advice and fine parts. You never saw a happier little boy.

---Frank Y.

David,

My daughter, Rene, just completed an Indian Princess Pine Wood Derby race with over 300 entries. The first and second place cars are "Derby Champ" customers. My daugher took 2nd place. Our next family race is the Boys Scout pack and we are taking lessons learned and building the best car possible using "Derby Champ" components.

Thanks for helping put a big smile on my daugher's face today!

--Armando S.

Dear Dave,

I just wanted to thank you for your great book and products. Last night my son won his division (Tiger Cubs) and placed 4th overall in his pack (out of at least 50 kids, 1st through 5th grade) with a car which he and I made with your book and tools purchased from derbychamp.com.

You can imagine some of the parents shock when they saw our car- made soley by mom and her 6 year old. In fact, I was asked repeatedly who made the car. So, attached please find photos of Jack's car and his "coolest car" award. Thanks again- we'll be shopping with you next year!

--Suzanne

Mr. Meade,

I wanted to let you know last weekend my son in his second year won the district race of all the county's packs! If you could see the news paper picture - the report took would be worth a thousand words. Now in three weeks we go to Counsel race where there are eleven counties... I used your book and the great tips! The design was the Z CAR you made! Great job! Next year - he (my son) wants it to face the other way so he call make it into a music note, because his mother and sister sing! HAHA --- this has truly become a family affair!

Very Respectfully,

--William K

Another Winner:

Thanks again for your expertise!!!

--- Dave and Tyler

We Took First Place!!!

My son's derby race was tonight. We followed the instructions in your ultimate speed secrets and as a result are very excited to tell you that he won first place! He raced his car about 10 times and NEVER lost a race!

The second place car was built from plans and speed secrets from another website but as soon as I saw the way the car was designed I knew we had him beat.

Thank you for all your help! We could not have done it without you!

Now we go to the districts next month We will let you know how we do.

---Sal and Mathew

Another Winner!!!

Just to let you know that my son, Armando Jr. took another First place using your products and advice . Over 120 entries competed in this events. This is his second race this year.

--Armondo