Fire in the sky

By Joe McAdory

Just saw the Space Shuttle Discovery launch a little while ago from a pier overlooking the Halifax River in South Daytona, Fla. This is how it looks from 50 miles away. Not a bad show.

5 ounces of fury

By Joe McAdory

Our Richard Petty-schemed pinewood derby car finally hit the track Saturday at the Alabama RA’s championships near Prattville. The King’s No. 43 didn’t visit victory lane this afternoon, but instead settled for fifth place out of 29 entries. Not bad.

Cars ran four at a time, with each car running once on each lane, for a final average. The average times determined the winner and final standings. I don’t believe we raced head-to-head against the overall winner (2.491 seconds). Our car averaged 2.504 seconds in four heats, once cracking a time of 2.49 seconds on the 30-foot fiberglass track. The fastest time I saw was 2.46 seconds. Good thing that was in a different class. Most cars averaged between 2.5 and 2.55 seconds, which made for a very competitive event for kids in first through sixth grades.

The black and white car pictured on the left offered strong competition, taking fourth with an average of 2.503 seconds. The other two in the middle did not. That black and white car was given some award for best design. Um ... ok ... whatever. There were many interesting designs. For example, one car strongly resembled a woman’s leopard-skin shoe. Another looked like a big ‘ol watermelon. Cars cannot exceed five ounces.

I’ve got a year to figure out a new design. I believe the stock car shape is not the most desirable for pure speed. But if that’s what my son really wants, that’s what we’ll do.

I’m about to build a special pinewood derby car, inspired by Sir Malcolm Campbell, over spring break that may not run competitively for another year, if at all. It may just be for show. This car is inspired by speed ... and sand of all things. In fact, actual sand from Daytona Beach will be drilled inside next week.

As for this racing season, we’ve got one more event—the RA race at Philadelphia Baptist Church next Sunday night. A prediction for the 43 car? It should be competitive. I’ll say a top 5. Maybe something better

Winter wonderland

By Joe McAdory

Guess where the most snow fell in Alabama last Sunday ... check out this chart, compliments of the National Weather Service.

Fit for a King

By Joe McAdory

Joseph’s Pinewood Derby car is ready for technical inspection and possibly the high banks of Daytona. Our Richard Petty project is complete. All we need to do is insert the axles with wheels and we’re off to the races. The issue now is ... when is the race? Sunday’s snow postponed the race, so we’re in a wait and see mode.

Freeze mor chikin

By Joe McAdory

Driving along Alabama Highway 169 Sunday not far from Meadows Mill, I couldn’t resist stopping to take a picture of these cows doing whatever they could to keep warm. They were trying to eat whatever was on the grass (I guess cows like grass or something), but the snow obviously created a cold meal.

I started mooing to get them to move closer. The mama did, and I decided I wasn’t big on bovines and left wanting a hamburger.