Victory and Valor - V2 Thunder

RAYTOWN, MISSOURI - August 29, 2026

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints building on Norfleet was buzzing on Saturday night, August 29th, for the highly anticipated 2026 Raytown Elders Quorum Pinewood Derby. While the air was filled with friendly rivalry, all eyes were on a specific machine. Its paint job, a striking red-to-yellow-to-blue gradient, wasn't just for show; it was the skin of a dominant force.

The car, affectionately (or perhaps intimidatingly) dubbed by spectators as the ‘V-2 Thunder’ for its unusual twin rear-mounted black bolts, which resemble sleek engine exhausts, put on a masterclass of speed and engineering precision. The car, detailed in the accompanying image with its gradient body and distinctive bolt assemblies, is a testament to meticulous construction, utilizing advanced friction-reducing techniques and a complex weight balancing system.

In the evening heats, the 'V-2 Thunder' was untouchable. Facing down numerous competitors across all three lanes of the official Raytown Elder Quorum track (seen in motion here), it captured first place in many races it entered. Its consistency was staggering, recording the day's lowest average time and securing the highest points total across all heat races, an honor that placed it squarely at the top of the qualifiers and earned it the coveted ‘Most Consistent Speedster’ award.

As the sun set and the crowd of spectators grew to capacity, the top three point-earners were seeded for the much-anticipated final heat. The tension was palpable. Facing two other elite-level vehicles that had also displayed incredible speed during the day, the 'V-2 Thunder' took its mark in the middle lane.

The final race was a blur of plastic and pine. In a photo-finish that required a second glance at the timing sensors, the ‘V-2 Thunder’ thundered across the finish line, ultimately securing second place in the grand finale. It was a magnificent race, showcasing the very pinnacle of pinewood derby craft.

While the elusive first-place trophy went to another car, the team behind the ‘V-2 Thunder’ stood proud. Winning highest points in the heats, finishing top-three, and ultimately securing second in the final makes for an incredible performance that will be remembered for derbies to come. For the 2026 season, the 'V-2 Thunder' was a force of nature.

Key Specifications:

* Vehicle Name: Undisclosed (Spectator-dubbed: 'V-2 Thunder')

* Color: Red-Yellow-Blue Gradient

* Special Feature: Dual Rear-Mounted Bolt Weight/Exhaust Assembly

* Race Results:

* Heat Placement: 1st in Points per Heats

* Heat Points Total: Highest in Tournament

* Final Heat Placement: 2nd Place

Congratulations to the entire building team for their meticulous effort. We look forward to seeing what innovation next year brings!