By Ed Pierce
Ask any member of Windham Cub Scout Pack 805 and they’ll tell you that one of the most exciting activities they participate in each year is the Pinewood Derby. Renowned for its speed, friendly competition and attention to detail, this year’s Pinewood Derby drew 34 Cub Scout racers whose model cars dazzled the audience gathered on Saturday, Jan. 20 at Windham Middle School. |
| Scouts show off the trophies they won during Cub Scout Pack 805's Pinewood Derby on Saturday, Jan. 20 at Windham Middle School. Back row, from left, are Ian Bizier, Jackson Bennett, and Drew Foxe. Front row, from left, are Kye Fowler, Griffin Earle, and Owen Conroy. SUBMITTED PHOTO |
“Cars are cut, sanded, shaped, painted, stickered, and accessorized and each scout adds their own personality to their car design,” Melanson said. “Some scouts design for speed, others design for the Best in Show award. Either way, each scout is excited when the car of their imagination is completed.”
Come Derby Day, each scout races four times, once on each lane of the track to make sure that there are no advantages to one lane being faster or slower than another.
Powered by inertia, the racing results in a competitive and fun day spent with friends, family, and other scouts.
“This is something that every scout looks forward to each year. The scouts talk about it with each other and their families and get ready to design,” Melanson said. “As a leader it is always great to see the scouts thinking hard about how to shape and decorate their derby cars each year. And then race day comes and they are cheering each other on. They root for their den mates, their friends, and siblings. Sometimes it can get loud as the dens try to out-root each other to support their den mates.”
Melanson said that the Cub Scout Motto is “Do your best” and the Pinewood Derby challenges scouts to do that.
“This is the embodiment of building derby cars,” she said. “Not all of the cars will go fast, but the scouts know that they did their best in building and designing.”
As the day of racing begins, the names of four scouts called and they move to what is known as the “parking lot” to retrieve their cars. The scouts then place the cars at the starting gate, making sure that the cars are completely on the individual lane and are aligned straight. Once the cars are released, scouts move to the finish line area to watch their cars come down the track. As cars move down the track, they are timed with some exceeding speeds greater than 170 mph.
The track record for this year’s derby was set by Fourth Grade Webelos scout Jackson Bennett, Melanson said.
His third run on the racetrack clocked in at a scorching 193.26 mph, she said.
In addition to the racing activities, there are also prize giveaways and concessions at the annual event.
“The concession stand is hosted by the Fourth Grade Webelos den and their families,” Melanson said. “They served up hot dogs, pizzas, chips, fruits, drinks, and lots of desserts. The money raised from the concession stand is used to help plan the Annual Spring Fling where the younger dens cross over to their next level den.”
The Pinewood Derby is entirely organized and managed by Windham Cub Scout Pack 805 committee members, parents, and Boy Scouts from Windham Troop 805. Along with Cub Scout racing, the pack also hosts a separate race for Cub Scouts’ siblings, parents, and a Boy Scout Troop race.
Melanson said that trophies are awarded to the Top 5 racers, for Overall Best in Show and for Best in Show in the Cub Scout den.
“All Best in Show winners are voted on by the Boy Scouts from Troop 805,” Melanson said. “The top 5 racers and the Overall Best in Show are going on to compete in the Pine Tree Council District race in April, hosted by Pack 47 from Scarborough.”
The 2024 Pinewood Derby results included:
Fifth Place, First Grader Griffin Earle, average speed 189.21 mph
Fourth Place, Second Grader Owen Conroy, average speed 190.09 mph
Third Place, Third Grader Drew Foxe, average speed 190.18 mph
Second Place, Fourth Grader Jackson Bennett, average speed 192.15 mph
First Place, Second Grader Kye Fowler, average speed 192.39 mph
Overall Best in Show, Fourth Grader Ian Bizier
Siblings’ race, Kindergartener Hannah Bernard
Parents’ race, Scott Fowler
Troop race, Eighth Grader Matthew Melanson <
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