By CHRIS TUCKER
Kitsap Week
Like Michelangelo cut David from a block of marble, so, too, do the Cub Scouts shape a simple block of wood into a blazing-fast work of art on wheels.
With help from adult mentors, the Cub Scouts cut the wood, sand it and paint it.
Attaching the four nail “axles” at 90 degree angles is a critical key to a fast car. If the nail-axle is not at the right angle, then neither will be the wheels, and the car will steer into the track and in turn slow down.
For extra speed the axles can be polished and the plastic wheels can be sanded to remove imperfections.
Eight colorful race cars sped through Seabeck last week.
The Cub Scout Pack 4537’s Pinewood Derby race brought together the finest wheels from Seabeck’s young engineers.
Although most cars sped down the track successfully, occasionally one of the hot rods would veer off the track and crash, eliciting fervent cheers from spectators.
No high-octane engines here: gravity is the swift force, pulling the wooden-bodied cars down the steep, three-lane track. The racing rides reached speeds up to 20 miles per hour.
The race took place at the Crosby Community Club on Christopher Road near Seabeck on March 21. It featured the cars of Cub Scouts in first through fourth grade.
The goal of the Pinewood Derby was to teach the boys how to build things, how to work with tools, how to compete while imparting a sense of good sportsmanship.
“They learn teamwork and camaraderie … cheering your fellow man on,” said Rosemary King, committee chair for Cub Scout Pack 4537.
Prior to the start of the race, each car was placed on a scale to make sure it weighed the regulated five ounces. Coins or fishing weights were hot-glued onto cars that were too light.
Scouts sat in a row of seats that lined the length of the track. Family members and friends sat behind them in another row of seats to watch.
Snacks were served, including Rice Krispie treats made to look like traffic lights with red, yellow and green M&Ms.
“You’ve got to be crafty. It’s what makes life fun,” said Jo Riffner, crafter of the edible traffic lights.
Another snack feature was fruit cars made from a slice of apple with four grape “wheels” attached with toothpicks. A checkered racing flag was placed atop each of the fruit cars. Also on the table: shot-glass-sized plastic cups filled with M&Ms.
“Did you hear my rule?,” Riffner asks. “The rule is if they want to eat a cup of M&Ms they have to eat a fruit car.”
At the end of the races, Tiger Cub Taylor Riffner was excited about his second-place red ribbon.
“We won!,” Riffner exclaimed.
“We both won, dude! Epic!” replied Phoenix Howell, 6.
There were four classes of racers. First place finishers for each class will go on to race at the April 11 district competition at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 9256 Nels Nelson Road NW, in Bremerton. The district race is scheduled to kick off at 9:30 a.m. and all are welcome to watch. There is no cost to attend.
Keith Ciancio, Cubmaster for Bremerton Cub Scout Pack 4506, said the district competition would be a good recruiting event for the Scouts.
“It’ll be every pack in Orca District,” Ciancio said. About 100 racers are estimated to take part. The boys will be the latest of the millions of Cub Scouts over the decades who have raced in the Pinewood Derby since it was first hosted in 1953 by Pack 280C in Manhattan Beach, California.
“The most important thing that they get out of the race is they actually get experience in building with hand tools. Because the boys have to build their own Pinewood Derby cars,” Ciancio said.
Ciancio said the boys were encouraged to do their best.
Winners
Tigers: Phoenix Howell, first place. Taylor Riffner, second.
Wolf: Houston Howell, first.
Bear: Chris Griswell, first. Timmy King, second.
Webelos: Wyatt Richie, first. Brandon Kuney, second. Hayden Burt, third.
Overall Pack Winners: Chris Griswell, first. Houston Howell, second. Timmy King, third.
