Media Release
February 25, 2016 2:15 p.m.
Staged during the inaugural Amelia Island Vintage Gran Prix event March 19 and March 20, 2016 is the 1st Annual Amelia Island Pine Wood Derby Championship. Pine Wood Derby was started by Don Murphy, an employee of North American Aviation in Manhattan Beach, Calif. In 1953. Because his son was too young to compete in Soap Box Derby Murphy developed the Pine Wood Derby.
A chunk of balsa wood, four nails, four plastic tires and some creativity is all that is needed to create a Pine Wood Derby Race Car. The car kits may be purchased at your local Lowe’s Home Improvement Store. There will be classes for ages 8-10, 11-12, 13-14, and 15 and up. Yes, even adults are creating derby cars and racing them. More than 1 million enthusiast compete annually in Pine Wood Derby. The event will be held over a 24 hour period, with racing activities are from 3:00 pm until 5:00 pm on Saturday and beginning again at 1:00 pm and ending after 24 hours at 3:00 pm on Sunday
Scheduled for both Saturday, March 19 and Sunday, March 20 at the Amelia River Golf Club. The Pine Wood Derby will be a part of the Amelia Island Vintage Gran Prix event, held at the Fernandina Beach Municipal Airport, which is adjacent to the golf club. In addition to the vintage sports car and vintage motorcycles racing around the historic 2.1 mile “Golden Crown” course there will be a two day car and motorcycle show and much more.
Tickets for as low as $25.00 per person are available on line at svra.com or through tickettomato.com. Children under 12 and active military are free. For more information on the Pine Wood Derby races contact Richard Vonk at: [email protected] or (904) 310 6695.