Scout hobbyists are ready to race
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Cub Scout Pack 56 held Pinewood Derby practice Jan. 31, in preparation for todays derby. LaDonna Foley
(from left) releases the cars as Connor Foley ,7, Brianna Foley, 8, and Joshua Epperson, 8, watch.
Photo by Donnie Fetter
Three. Two. One. Go!
The tiny wooden cars are released and the race is under way.
That was the scene during a practice session for the Boy Scout Pinewood Derby race, taking place today at 2 p.m. at Stevens Creek Elementary School, 3780 Evans to Locks Road, Martinez.
Boys from Cub Scout Pack 56 took turns testing their mini mean machines on a 32-foot track equipped with a digital timer.
"The Pinewood Derby is the most anticipated event for Cub Scouts each year," said Denise Rosenzweig, whose West Lake home was the site of the warm-up races.
Propelled by gravity, three model cars start at the top of a sloping incline. Wooden pegs hold them in place as the racers chant a countdown, and the cars are released. They then coast down the incline onto a long straightaway toward the finish line.
The cars themselves are made of wooden blocks and can be no more than 7 inches long, a little under 3 inches wide and weigh no more than 5 ounces.
The design and decor of the cars are only limited by the maker's imagination.
Examples of pinewood
racers.
Photo by Donnie Fetter
"It's fun to make them, but it's more fun to race them," said 8-year-old pack member Joshua Epperson.
Five Boy Scout age groups will compete in today's derby. Each car is raced three times with only the fastest time being recorded.
The three quickest cars from each age group go on to compete in a district-wide derby, encompassing Columbia and McCormick counties, on March 20 at Evans Middle School.
Today's competition will include more than just the Cub Scouts testing their derby-racing chops.
"There will be some Scout sisters that have made cars wanting to race also," Pack 56 Pinewood Derby Chairman Patrick Foley said. "I'm pretty sure there will be a few fathers wanting to tryout their cars as well."
IF YOU GO
WHAT: Boy Scouts Pinewood Derby
WHEN: Today at 2 p.m.
WHERE: In the gym of Stevens Creek Elementary School, 3780 Evans-to-Locks Road, Martinez
WHATS NEXT: Winners of todays derby will compete in district Pinewood Derby, March 20 at Evans Middle School