Contributed
This is the original 1953 Pinewood Derby car design. The Pinewood Derby was created by a California Cub Master named Don Murphy who was looking for an activity that he and his 10-year-old son could work on together
Cub Scouts from across the area will get their motors running on January 28 as they participate in Cub Scout Pack 64’s annual Pinewood Derby. The racing spectacular will be held at the Johnston County Livestock Arena in Smithfield, NC.
According to Pack 64 Den Leader Sarah Fernandez, registration for the January 28 event begins at 8 a.m. and pre-race ceremonies will follow the registration. Racing heats will begin at 10 a.m.
“We are expecting approximately 92 Scouts to come out and race their cars that day,” Fernandez said. “This year we’ve added something new to the racing festivities. We will be hosting our inaugural “Outlaw Derby” at the end of the day, with an ‘anything goes’ race for any parent and sibling of a Pack 64 Scout who would like to create and race their very own derby car! The Outlaw races will start at 3:15 p.m. and at this time we already have around 15 parents and siblings committed to race, and I hear that list is growing every day.”
During the local Pinewood Derby, the boys will race their cars on a long wooden track with four separate racing lanes. During the event, scouts will race their cars on each of the four separate lanes.
“They (the scouts) will eventually race their car on each of the four lanes, with the top three speeds for their car being selected,” Fernandez said. “The Scouts with the top five cars in speed from our Pack’s Derby will continue on to the Neusiok District Pinewood Derby in March.”
The Pinewood Derby has been a long standing tradition amongst the Cub Scouts. The first derby was held in 1953. The Pinewood Derby was created by a California Cub Master named Don Murphy who was looking for an activity that he and his 10-year-old son could work on together.
“The Boy Scouts had Soap Box Derbies, but there was no such event for their younger counterparts, the Cub Scouts. So Mr. Murphy had the idea of a smaller scale race for the Cubs, and presented his idea to his employer, North American Aviation,” Fernandez said. “They liked the idea so much that they agreed to sponsor the Derby. It has been a cherished, and much anticipated Cub Scout tradition ever since!”
Pack 64 has sponsored the area’s Pinewood Derby for over 20 years.
Fernandez said tradition and fun are two words that best describe the Derby. She said the Derby is an event that brings her family together every year.
“Tradition is very important within our family, and Cub Scouting, as well as the Derby are wonderful, family-oriented events that have brought us much joy and fulfillment over the past five years. You can always tell when it is “Derby time” at our house, as our kitchen table is transformed into “Derby central” for around 5 weeks or so. Many nights after dinner I find myself wondering where my boys have wandered off to. I don’t have to go far before I hear the whirring and buzzing of power tools in the garage. Working together on our son’s car provides them with valuable father-son time, hopefully creating memories that will last a lifetime for him. Memories that he can share with his own son one day.”
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