Scouts Put Pinewood Derby Cars To The Test

Prior to the start of the Matinecock District’s annual pinewood derby race, all of the participating Tigers, Cubs and Webelos pose for a photo with the racecar entries. (Photos courtesy of Phyllis Stein)

The top 10 winners pose with their trophies.

Cub Scouts and their parents watch the racecars as they near the end of the runway and the “pit crew” Boy Scouts get ready to retrieve the cars at the end of the track.

Jack R., front-left, and Evan A., front-right, of Greenlawn’s Pack 225 placed fourth and third respectively in last weekend’s races. They’re pictured with their trophies and hand-crafted pinewood derby racecars.

“And they’re off!”

A total of 85 hand-crafted pinewood derby cars hit the track last weekend in Elwood as part of the annual Boy Scouts of America Matinecock District’s runoff event.

The specially-designed cars, six at a time, made their way onto the fitted track for each heat at Elwood-John Glenn High School.

The cars were made by the boys, with some help from parents, who shaped and decorated the 5-ounce block of wood contained in a pinewood derby car kit.

Rob Zeblisky, chair of the district’s derby race, said, “They have had the fun of creating their own racecar and seeing it run, with their parents and fellow scouts cheering each and every one of them on to win.”

The 7- to 10-year-olds who participated had previously raced in the individual Cub Scout Packs’ race. The top four winners from each of the packs in the district – which encompasses western Smithtown and all of the Town of Huntington – were eligible to take part in the April 14 event.

There were matrix-style races held for the 85 Tigers, Cub Scouts and Webelos Scouts and their cars, as friends, parents and volunteers from the pack and district cheered from the sides.

Electronically scored, the pinewood derby cars raced the 40-foot tracks with a variety of speeds, clocking in with times from around 3.55 seconds to a top time of around 3.06 seconds

The top 10 winners received trophies; and each participant received a commemorative patch.

Zeblisky said all those who participated “are truly winners, whether in their individual Cub Scout Pack or here at the district-wide race.”

Zeblisky also thanked the many “volunteers who assisted me in this event.

“It was a great time for everyone who took part in every aspect of this great Cub Scouting event.”