AUGUSTA- Racing fans are not only those who head Windsor Fairgrounds or watch NASCAR. Some of Augusta’s most spirited racing enthusiasts are under the age of 11 and built their own race cars.
Cub Scout Pack 603 held their annual Pine Wood Derby races at Augusta City Hall last month during February school vacation week as part of the year-long celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America. Mayor Roger Katz served as the honorary race starter and welcomed the boys –all in grades 1 through 5- to City Center. "The Derby was a great example of Scouting at its best--working towards a goal, good clean fun, and a real emphasis on sportsmanship," Katz said. He admitted that he had been a Cub Scout in Augusta as a boy but never built a race car out of a block of wood like today’s Cub Scouts.
Cub Scouts, with the help of parents, build their own cars from wood they received from an official kit containing a block of pine, plastic wheels and metal axles. The finished car must use all nine pieces, must not exceed five ounces in weight, must not exceed a certain length, and must fit on the Pack 603 track. They can be any design. “I love the creativity of the boys,” said Pack 603 Cubmaster Chuck Mahaleris. “You could tell that a lot of time and effort went into working on these cars.”
Pack 280 Cubmaster Don Murphy organized the first pinewood derby, held on May 15, 1953 in Manhattan Beach, California. It’s popularity spread throughout the nation and is an annual event for nearly every Cub Scout Pack in America.
"I was so impressed with how hard these boys worked on their cars and the quality of the results. I'll bet a few of them will be designing real cars in a few years," Katz said.
The youngest boys in the pack, the Tiger Cubs in 1st grade, each received a trophy for participating. “Every Cub will get at least on Pinewood Derby Trophy in their time in Cub Scouts,” said Mahaleris. All of the boys also received participation awards specially made for the event.
Bear Cub Chris Colson received the “Good Sportsman” trophy. “One of the objectives of Scouting is to develop good character in the boys. Chris’ car was not very fast but he did not lose his positive spirit and was there to cheer on all of his fellow Cubs.”
Cub Scout Luc Sirois received a trophy for having the best looking car. Chris Black and Jacob Arbor received 2nd and 3rd place trophies respectively for their designs. Chris Black had the fastest car in the pack and received another trophy. Jonathan Urquhart and Killian Gagnon received trophies for their 2nd and 3rd place finishes.
“Every car raced at least six heats,” Mahaleris said. “We made sure they raced a variety of other cars and raced on both lanes. We made sure we had a fair and fun run for all of the boys.” The top seven cars from the earlier heats raced over and over against each other until a winner was determined. “It was a busy afternoon,” Mahaleris said. “It wouldn’t have been possible without all of the parent volunteers who helped in the pit crew, registration area, and on the race track. Volunteers make Scouting happen.”
1 comment:
The Pinewood Derby was one of the highpoints of my scouting experience...both as a scout and the parent of a scout. I participated in my first Pinewood derby when the race was less than 5 years old! It has come a along way...and at the same time it is the same!
To give back, for what I received from that experience…I wrote and just released a book about the Derby called "Pinewood-Winning by the Rules" ISBN 978-1-60911-153-3. It shows that the “BIG race” can be won by sticking to the rules…Isn’t that what scouting is all about?
My son was district champ for 3 years in a row and he did that by following every rule and doing his best. It is available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble or Borders websites
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