Gallery: Scouts host annual Pinewood Derby
By KRISTEN DOWD
Not all racecars rely on horsepower, as anyone attending the Pinewood Derby on Saturday, Feb. 9, could attest. Sometimes, the only power racecars need is gravity.
The annual event at First United Methodist Church is hosted by Cub Scout Pack №44, which is comprised of five dens (Tigers, Wolves, Bears, Webelos I and Webelos II) based on grade level, from first through fifth grades. Beyond fifth grade, the Cub Scouts graduate to Boy Scouts. While the Pinewood Derby is exclusively for the younger Scouts, a few older mentors were on hand to help out.
The Boy Scouts of America Pinewood Derby began in 1953 — that’s 60 years of gravity-powered car racing — and in Moorestown, the Scouts have been participating nearly as long. According to Dick Borton, Pack №44 committee chairman, local troops date back to the ’50s, too. He said the derby is a great learning experience.
“It’s the biggest event of the year,” Borton said. “It helps them learn to do things for themselves.”
Scouts emphasize working with family, according to Borton, and the Pinewood Derby is perfect for this task. While the Scouts are planning and creating their cars mostly on their own, they do rely on guidance and help from adults, too.
The pint-sized competitors start out with a block of wood, four wheels and four nails. From here, plans diverge, with cars turning into Batmobiles, camouflaged army tanks and more.
“Everyone starts out with the same piece of wood, four axels and four wheels. What you do from there is up to you,” Cubmaster Ken Keegan said. “It is a great bonding experience for the parents and children. In other kids’ activities, like sports, so much is based on individual ability. Here, everyone is equal in the beginning. You just have to get those five ounces down the track in the fastest time.”
On the Friday night before the event, adult volunteers set up for the derby, assembling the track with its electronic gate and figuring out the logistics for the new laptop and projector screen, which broadcast upcoming heats and the resulting winners. Of course, even the large screen couldn’t keep the eager Cub Scouts in their seats on Saturday, with plenty of the boys standing, leaning and craning their necks to catch a glimpse of the small wooden cars flying down the track.
There are trophies for each den division and grand finale winners, as well as a Cubmaster Award and award for coolest car, which is voted on by the Cub Scouts. Jackson Sheppard brought home the Cubmaster Award. Christopher Roberts’ Batmobile was deemed coolest car.
While the allure of winning a trophy is a driving factor behind the boys’ enthusiasm for the Pinewood Derby, the kids had various reasons for coming out to the event.
“It’s fun to see all the cars — how they’re the same and how they’re different,” Callum Keegan said.
The 9-year-old brought home den division trophies his first two years in the derby. This year, he snagged the overall grand prize with his car, Killer Cal.
Christian Mammarella raced Big M this year, his third year in the competition. And for this 10-year-old, consistency is key — he said he keeps his vehicle the same every year.
“I pick the same design. I put the weight in the same place,” Christian said.
Christian won his den division two years ago and was hoping to bring home a trophy this year. Winning, however, wasn’t his favorite part of the derby.
“It’s fun and I get to see my buddies,” he said, smiling at one of those buddies, Ethan Szawlewicz.
Ethan competed with Superbird — a name he chose on the fly — and put a lot of research into his final design. He knew he wanted a car with the right weight and a “flattish surface.” When he scouted out a design with both, he knew he had his vehicle.
“I saw a design that looked aerodynamic enough,” Ethan said, “and had a good place to put the weights.”
The research paid off. Ethan won first place for his den and sixth place overall.
Spencer Talbot and Alex Szawlewicz, both 9, are also derby veterans. The Scouts competed with Grey Lightning and Captain America, respectively.
Choosing a favorite part of the derby was a toss up for Spencer.
“It’s between making the car,” he said, “and seeing what place it gets.”
“Not for me. I just came in last again,” added Alex, watching his red, white and blue vehicle speed by. However, not placing didn’t hamper Alex’s spirits, especially since his favorite part is making the car. “It’s really fun.”
Janet D’Angelo, assistant leader for Den 5 with leader (and husband) Christian, said she
was happy with the event’s turnout.
“It’s kind of old school,” she said. “They work on their cars, and they get to see the fruits of their labor.”
As a den, D’Angelo’s Scouts see each other two or three times a month. They care for each other, she said, and root for each other at the derby.
“They want to win personally,” she said, “but they also want each other to do well.”
GRAND FINALS
First place: Callum Keegan with Killer Cal, 12.7210 seconds
Second place: Mike Cifolelli with The Flaming Fury, 12.7590 seconds
Third place: Ben Masterson with Creeper, 12.8120 seconds
Fourth place: Christopher Masterson with The Blaze, 12.9120 seconds
Fifth place: Connor Darlington with Luxury Convertible, 12.9150 seconds
Sixth place: Ethan Szawlewicz with Superbird, 12.9200 seconds
Seventh place: Richard D’Angelo with Wedge O Doom, 12.9740 seconds
Eighth place: Jeffrey Reyher with Land Ho, 13.8590 seconds.
