The Awana Grand Prix returned to Triad Baptist Feb. 16 with a new track, a new racing division and the most racers ever.

Race Director Daryl Burnette said that a total of 114 racers from age 2 through adults competed in the latest edition of the competition that dates back to 2007.

“That is by far the most cars we’ve ever had racing,” Burnette said.

The 2014 competition featured the first racing on a new, six-lane aluminum track that replaced the four-lane vinyl track and software Triad had used for several years.

Burnette said two different individuals approached him on the same day wanting to each donate money to help buy a new track. The money closely matched the cost of the track and software he had been considering from track manufacturer BestTrack.®

“It was clear in the way it came about that God was in it,” Burnette said.

Along with the track, a new Champions division was added to widen the pool of trophy winners and increase competition among Awana racing pros. Under the new rules, any entrant finishing first in the speed competition in any race category automatically gets placed in the Champions division for the next Grand Prix.

Lauren Marsh was among the first-time racers experiencing their first Awana Grand Prix. Given the popularity of mustaches, Lauren and her parents, Jon and Jenni, figured a mustache-shaped car might be fun to build. She first learned of the race through her friend, Emma White, who invited her to Awana.

While it wasn’t the fastest car, Lauren’s mustache machine took home a trophy for design in the T&T club division by far more than a whisker. She definitely plans to race again next year.

Said her mom, Jenni, “Jon and Lauren went up during one of the workdays and cut out the shape and then she glued fur all over it. Jon helped her dig out the inside and put the weights on. During the race, I know they said it brings families together and is a great family activity. It definitely was for us.

“We worked on the car for a couple of weeks.”

T&T (3-5th grade)

• Design: Erin Jumes (first); Lauren Marsh (second); and Evan Eads (third)
• Speed: Aidan Brooks (first); Maddox Gray (first); and Noah Chandler (third)

Puggles, Junior Cubbies & Cubbies (2 through pre-K)

• Design: Eden Burnette (first); Silas Burnette (second); and Eli Lewis (third)
• Speed: Maddox Nifong (first); Gabe Burnette (second); and D.J. Thompson (third)

Sparks (K-2nd grade)

• Design: Fred Smith (first); Enoch Ferry (second); James McGovern (third)
• Speed: Addie Nifong (first); Fred Smith (second); Logan Brooks (third)

Open Division

• Design: Jenni Jumes (first); Dylan Hagar (second); Teresa Roberts (third)
• Speed: Ashlyn Sandel (first); Teresa Roberts (second); Jenni Jumes (third)

Champions Division

• Design: Jason Collins (first); Doug Tyndall (second); Hannah Collins (third)
• Speed: Doug Tyndall (first); Weston Tyndall (second), Braxton Tyndall (third)