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Awana Ministry Conference 2010. Grand Prix How to Organize and Run. History and Purpose. First race in 1964 at First Baptist Church in Elyria, OH Ken Starett, credited with starting Grand Prix, said
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Awana Ministry Conference 2010 Grand PrixHow to Organize and Run
History and Purpose • 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 one-third of Awana registered churches participate in Grand Prix annually.
What is Grand Prix? 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.
Getting Started • 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
Timeline • 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
Team • 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
Equipment & Supplies • 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
Timer & Software Options 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
Rule Highlights • 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
Construction Workshop • 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
Things to Consider • 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
Racing Scheduling Options • 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.htmlfor 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
Design Award Options • Best of Show • Most Colorful • Most Realistic • Most Patriotic • Most Unusual • Most Creative • Most Futuristic • Sportiest Looking (these don’t have to be trophies)
