Cub Scout Pinewood Derby cars take the track

Race day brought plenty of excitement, but there were no engines in or around the track.

Cub Scout Pack 983 held their Pinewood Derby last Saturday morning at Fire Station 571 in the garage that houses the old Ford fire truck. Excited ‘drivers,’ their parents and siblings watched wooden cars speed down an inclined track.

The Pinewood Derby is an annual event for Cub Scouts across the nation. The idea is to take a block of wood, add axles and wheels and then paint and detail it. The boys are in charge of car construction with some adult guidance allowed.

Pack 983 had 16 cars entered in the derby, plus an additional eight cars built by siblings of the Cub Scouts. Boy Scouts from Troop 983 officiated the race.

The mandatory specifications for Pinewood Derby cars are:
Width: 2 3/4 “
Length: 7″
Weight: not over five ounces
Width between wheels: 1 3/4″
Bottom clearance between car and track 3/8″

After the track was set up, the boys watched as their cars went through the various heats. Featuring unique shapes and styles, the cars represented both the interests and talents of their designers.

“All of the cars performed very well, and all of them can move up to race at the district competition in April,” said Pack 983 Cub Master Joseph Julicher.

Photos courtesy of Cub Scout Pack 983