Cars zoomed down a 34-foot-long track at Lake Myrtle Elementary School on Feb. 24, during Cub Scout Pack 323’s Pinewood Derby Cup Series.
Sixty-five Cub Scouts, from the Land O’ Lakes pack, tested their racing skills as they pitted cars they had designed against each other.
Contestants had to create their models from pinewood, add wheels and weights, and give them a paint job, too. Then, the vehicles were inspected and weighed, just like in a real race.
During the event, cars were lined up in three lanes at the top of a steep incline and then were released, letting gravity carry each car to the finish line, where official times were recorded.
Greg Mark, chairman of the event, said he enjoyed working on his pinewood with his dad when he was young and wanted to share the experience with his son, Ryder, who is 8.
“He did the majority of it this year,” Mark said. “I want him to learn how to build a race car.
The project begins with a box of wood, four wheels and four axles. Then, it’s fashioned into a car, which is painted. Weights are added to get as close as possible to the maximum weight, so it will perform well in the race.
“I think it’s an awesome thing for the boys to do with their dads,” he said.
To make the event enjoyable for families, there were other activities, too, including crafts. Food was also available.
“Everybody seemed to enjoy themselves,” Mark said.
The pinewood derby has been part of local Cub Scouts since around 1975.
The creation of a Pinewood Derby dates back much farther.
Dan Murphy, a Cubmaster from Ohio, came up with the idea in 1952. He wanted to do something for kids who were too young for the Soap Box Derby. The Pinewood Derby swept the nation in the mid 1950s and is still part of the Cub Scouts today.
Sponsors of the local event were Christian Brothers Automotive, Cameo Salon and Spa, Hungry Harry’s Family Bar-B-Que, Jerry McCarthy State Farm, Russel Marine, Tampa T-shirts, Parker Pest Control, Accurate Signs On Time, 67 Design Co., and Studio 54 Tattoo.
By Randy Underhill
(B.C. Manion contributed to this report)
Published March 14, 2018
