CALIFORNIA—Two Southern California Philadelphia Church of God congregations gathered in Upland on February 28 for their first pine car derby. After hearing previous accounts of pcg derbies from Texas, Canada and even South Africa, members decided to bring pcg pine car racing to San Bernardino County.

Following combined services, the congregations shared a potluck dinner, and after sundown they transformed the meeting hall into a nascar-style venue. Flags of nascar drivers draped the area, along with a large banner proclaiming, “Welcome Race Fans.”

The lights dimmed, and member Dennis Whitney, a cbs lighting technician in Hollywood, switched on a lighting system that gave the entire hall a night-race feel.

Opening ceremonies included the national anthem, sung by Mrs. Sherri Mazza. Then the cars began flying down the track.

Members got into the racing spirit with humorous names for their cars such as: Chicken Dinner, John Bott’s Bott El-Rocket, The Mazza-Rod-ee, Don’s Block ’N‘ Tires and My Butter Flies. Team names included Lickety Split Racing, In Harms Way Motorsports, and What’s a Girl Like You Doing Here in First Place Motorsports.

Preaching Elder Andrew Hessong, who had polished his skills for a few years in the pine car racing circuit at the Texas pine car derby in Ft. Worth, provided the race commentary.

Observing the sideline chatter, member George MacDonell said, “I found a lot of conversations happening with the youth in our congregations that just were not happening before the derby. This really has engaged us in a great way and is helping to build the family.”

On the track, the checkered flag came down to the 2015 Texas pine car champion, Bling Thing, and Silver Flash, a new car raced by member Ashley Wells.

“I grew up working on projects alongside both my parents,” Wells said. “When opportunities arise to design and construct something with raw materials, the urge is hard to resist!” Wells said she took the event seriously, watching videos of pine car engineering tips and details.

In the final race, Silver Flash pulled ahead of Bling Thing and managed to beat the Texas champion by half a car length.

With a smile on her face, Wells humorously declared herself the “national” winner.

Californians may be new entrants into the pcg pine car association, but they are gaining ground. Some members have already started researching pine car performance ahead of the next race, scheduled for December.