Fathers help sons craft racers

It’s not very often a father will encourage a son to speed, but there was an exception to be found at Buffalo Hills Park in Newport Beach Sunday.

The local YMCA put on its annual Pinewood Derby at 11 a.m. for sons and their fathers to race their homemade wood vehicles in a showdown that saw about 250 vehicles make their way down the race track.

“It’s all about the kids,” volunteer Steve Sellinger said.

This was his third year working with the event, and he also participated as a boy.

The Corona Nation Y-Guides program has been serving the community for more than 50 years, as well as putting together the derby which celebrated its 25th year.

“It’s relationship building,” Newport-Mesa YMCA Director Kenny Brook said. “It is a program between fathers and sons.”

Fathers and sons build their cars together, spending 10 to 20 hours on a vehicle, Sellinger said.

They work from a car kit, which includes two axles, four wheels, four screws and a chunk of wood. The wood can be shaped into any design desired, within regulations, Sellinger said.

Kian Schank decided to make the most of his design opportunity.

“I care about making my car look really good,” 10-year-old Kian said. “I have a guitar that looks just like my car.”

Besides making his car rock like his guitar, Kian cares about one other thing.

“Winning,” he said.

Kian’s two brothers feel the same way.

“It’s fun,” said 8-year-old brother Cameron, who later declared winning was most important. Jaden, 6, who was participating for his first time, agreed beating his brothers was an honor to be had.

Cars average about 3 seconds a trip, with those under three qualifying as some of the fastest cars.

The cars are run three times each, on three different tracks to give each a fair chance.

A computer determines the times down to a 1000th of a second and the fastest cars are declared winners.

Cars can win in overall times, or within their “tribe.” Awards are also given to the cars with the best design.

For more information on the local YMCA, call (949) 642-9990 or go to www.ymcaoc.org.

DANIEL TEDFORD may be reached at (714) 966-4632 or at daniel.tedford@latimes.com.