Cub scouts race homemade pinewood cars

  • Published
  • By Airman Kimberly Limrick
  • Black Hills Bandit staff
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  Base Cub Scouts met at Dakota’s Club Feb. 3 for their annual Pinewood Derby race.

Little has changed in the Pinewood derby since it began in 1953. The goal of the race is to have scouts design a car to race in the derby.

The scouts, ranging in ages from 6 to 12, carved their ‘race cars’ out of a block of pinewood. The wood, four nails and four wheels are provided and required to be used. Parents were permitted to help their children design a car to meet size restrictions, said Mrs. Sharon Raynor, Cub master.

Upon arrival at Dakota’s, the scouts presented their cars at the qualification table. The maximum weight allowed was 5 ounces; cars may be no more than 2 3/4 inches wide and 7 inches long and may have no moving parts other than the wheels provided.

After meeting the qualification requirements, the scouts’ cars competed against others in their age groups, two at a time. First graders competed in the Tigers group, second graders competed in the Wolves group, third graders competed in the Bears group and the fourth and fifth graders competed in the Webelos group.

The competition was double-elimination, meaning if the car lost twice, it was out of the competition. Winners from each group move on to compete at the Black Hills Area Council competition in the Rushmore Mall, March 4, said Mr. Rodney Brown, Den leader.

Mr. Don Murphy, founder of the Pinewood Derby in 1953 in Manhattan, Beach, Calif., said he wanted to devise a wholesome, constructive activity that would foster a closer father-son relationship and promote craftsmanship and good sportsmanship through competition.

The Pinewood Derby is only one of the many activities Cub Scouts get to participate in. For more Cub Scout information, call Master Sgt. Jesse Barcega, 28th Services Squadron, at 385-2262.