Name: Paul Sullivan
Message: Dear Dr Jobe:

We received our package and "big book" a few weeks ago. Thank you for taking the time to write the wonderful inscription to my son Robert.

As a first grader, Robert loves to read but has struggled with math. With your material we have been able to give him a reason. With a reason and purpose in hand, Robert has naturally found the desire and purpose to develop his math skills. His first grade teacher was left speechless when Robert tried to help her understand "Drag Coefficient" and informed her that "friction was his enemy".

His teacher was having a little difficulty with the concept so Robert moved on to "Velocity" and balls being dropped from the leaning tower of "Pizza." Each night we will find Robert with the "Big Book" in his lap and surveying each page.

Thanks to you again
Paul Sullivan - 12/04/06

Hi John:

Well, we won the District race.

Pack leaders will benefit from the PWD classes I have offered to give in the fall using your Lectures and other materials.

As a bonus, I helped a friend in a different District build 2 cars using your principles-his son won Pack and District as well. Proven success!

Thanks again for your help and encouragement this year.
Glen Barnes - 3/13/07

Name: Jim Baker
Message: Thanks for the help

We just had the pack race today... my Webelo won his den and took second overall in the pack; my Bear won his den and took first overall in the pack. Used a 40' Piantedosi track and set a new track record in the sibling race which we also won easily.

The boys really worked hard on the cars (since December) and learned a lot of physics in the process.

The cars were a modified version of the airfoil design in your Physics of the Pinewood Derby book.

Your polish, graphite, and Z oil worked great.

Thanks
Jim Baker

Hi John

I've had your Virtual Race program up and running for some time now, and I've got to tell you - it's a blast. It'll be a while before I scratch the surface on all that's in there, but I'm making good and easy progress. I put in the WIRL 42' Best Track in the program and am running all my cars on it. What an eye opener! After one afternoon of plugging in numbers my results are in the attachment.

Thanks again for your help
Jim - 4/14/07

Name: Michael Palmer
Message: Dr Jobe:

I just wanted to thank you for your excellent work on the Physics of the Pinewood Derby book. After two years of me and my boy losing the Pinewood Derby race we got serious and found your book. We built the "Simple but Fast" car to the "T" and the results speak for themselves.

Ian, a Bear, won 1st in the Bears and 2nd in the Pack. Harrison, a Tiger, won 1st in the Tigers and 1st in the Pack. At the District race both won 2nd place in their ranks.

All in all this year we have 7 trophies and we owe it to you, your outstanding book, and your Speed Kit.

Now we are upgrading to the full design potential in the Physics of the Pinewood Derby book and plan on all 1st place finishes in 2008!

Thanks!
Michael Palmer - 3/13/07

Name: Timothy Swan
Message: Dr Jobe:

We had our District derby yesterday. My stepson took first place of all 152 kids. I know it was painful for him, when we were building our second car (the first was disqualified due to the extended wheelbase), to listen to all the engineering information I explained to him. But I took your advice and kept hitting him with the jargon. When his car continued to beat his opponents resoundingly, the race officials began to inspect his car more and more and ask him questions. I was in charge of a different track and couldn't be there to prompt or help him but he answered every question with a knowing confidence. He knew that even if he didn't design the complete car, still he built it and knew the reasons behind each detail. In the final race between the final 5 finishers, it was amazing to watch is car go neck and neck until halfway down the ramp and then watch it pull ahead. In the final 6 heats, his car won every one, some by over a car length. Thank you for putting the book together in my language of engineering and with simple graphics that even the kids can understand. All the information in your publications and Lectures made it look like I knew most of it all, thanks to you.

Keep in touch
My Regards and Thanks
Timothy Swan - 3/12/07

John, Thanks!
As an engineer, I have enjoyed plowing through your book and software program. My two boys (Tiger and Webelo 1) have already gotten quite an education on the pinewood derby and the "science of speed." Your book also helps further the teaching of the connection between science and success in the "real" world.

Tod - 2/06/07

Hello Doc,
My sons and I just want to thank you for helping our understanding so many things about these little wooden wonders. My oldest defended his pack championship and is on his way to the Districts! My youngest and I participated in the non-Cub (Open) division and he beat me but one of my heats set a new track record!

Thanks again Doc, you have helped make our racing more fun than I think any of us could ever have imagined.

Best Regards and God Bless
Roland - 2/01/07

Name: Ed Wollack

Message: Greatly enjoyed your lecture series on Pinewood Derby Physics. This material has been very useful in discussing the topic with kids.

Cheers and Best
Ed - 2/24/07

Name: David Marks

Message: Using your excellent SBF plans (plus your Speed Package), my son's car won his Den ( first in 6 of 6 heats) and took second in the Pack (first in 5 of 6 heats). The reason we didn't win Pack first was one of the wheels was too tight (5 sec finger spin compared with 20 plus seconds for the others). So it was Dad's fault but we did well and are very happy considering this was our first PWD race.

Thanks again for your excellent plans and walk through instructions. The fact that we did so well while knowing so little is a testament to your methods and products.

Thank You
David & Andrew Marks - 2/11/07

From: Jim Baker
Message: Updates to Site

The updates (new lectures) to your site are great. I think word is getting out more and more and it should really take off.

Thanks again, and your information is the best out there by far! My boys and I are learning a lot.

Thanks
Jim Baker 12/15/2006