Pinewood Derby, A Roaring Success

This weekend’s Pinewood Derby was a roaring success, with more than 50 cars and their makers coming out for the races.

Friday evening was the official kick off of the event, and participants gathered at Crofton Woods Elementary School to register and weigh in their cars and put final touches on them before race day. Some had to add weight, some had to lose weight, some had to add more graphite and make sure their wheels were all touching. It was great seeing the boys take such pride in the details! The kids were then treated to the movie “Down & Derby,” a comedy about an over-the-top Pinewood Derby. While the kids enjoyed the movie and popcorn, the dedicated track crew took the opportunity to set up the track and make sure everything was functioning properly.

Scouts watching Down & Derby!

Race day, Saturday, saw several more registrations and tested nerves as a few scouts went right down to the wire making last-minute wheel adjustments, weight loss, and other modifications to their cars.

The racing started at 9:00 a.m., shortly after which the track crew encountered some technical difficulties with the timing software and switched to full manual mode, using the track gate lights to indicate 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. This plan “B” actually worked out nicely and the heats were run as quickly as usual.

There was lots of excitement in the air, some good Pinewood-style music in the background, and plenty of donuts and coffee to go around. Their were a tons of creative cars, including a submarine, a few HMMWV's (Hummers/Humvees), a Ghostbuster car, a dragon car, a serpent/snake car, Pokemon, Minecraft, Skylanders, Sponge Bob Square Pants, Formula-1-inspired, and even one with a chicken nugget, and a host of many more.

Once underway, the races flowed very smoothly and were full of action. The Tigers were first up, followed by the Wolves, Bears, Webelos 1’s, and Webelos 2’s. A few cars skipped a lane and had to be rerun and a few parts flew off, but with minor repairs they were right back in the game.

The fastest cars from each rank were:
Tigers - Mathew Revell (1st), Jacob O'Sullivan (2nd), Luke Murphy (3rd)
Wolves - Ryan Wans (1st), Carter Kanigowski (2nd), Nate Gayvert (3rd)
Bears - Stephen Barger (1st), Jackson Sjoberg (2nd), Colin McCarthy (3rd)
Web 1 - Nicholas Licsko (1st), Quinn Lucas (2nd), Kieran Jackson (3rd), Marty Lucas (3rd)
Web 2 - Garret Ward (1st), Ben Eylon (2nd), Nicholas Miller (3rd)

The championship final results were Stephen Barger (1st), Jackson Sjoberg (2nd) and Mattew Revell (3rd).

It was a terrific event, thanks to the enthusiasm of the boys who participated and the commitment of the adults who provided much-appreciated support, including:

• Scott Abramson - Handling all things track related leading up to, during and after the pinewood. Without Scott the pinewood wouldn't have happened. He was cool under pressure during the early morning technical glitch and executed Plan "B" flawlessly. 
• Stacy Severtson - Handling registration for Friday and Saturday, handling many race day opportunities and also handling the award identification and ordering
• Bob Sullivan - Helping with Friday set up, Saturday track tweaks and break down.
• Registration - Laura Gayvert, Valerie Grant, Mary Cascio
• Race day heat management - Scott Cochrane, Josh Fant, Aaron Krouse, Larry Wans
• Friday set up - Larry Wans, Lawerence Priebe, John Lenkart
• Press Release and Blog - Stephen Barger, Val Edwards
• Donuts/Coffee - Torgunn Eckroad
• Photogs - James Anton
• Car Help/Repair - Larry Wans
• Saturday Break Down - Rich Cissel, Ed Coziel

What a great way to kick-off the New Year!

Pinewood Building Underway

The annual Pack 115 pinewood derby is fast approaching. Only a few more days left. Reports from the field state many scouts are hard at work in the wood shops around Crofton trying to make the fastest, creative, funniest cars. Below are a few pictures from the pinewood paparazzi. Good luck!!