ROCHELLE — The pinewood derby provides a fun, competitive activity for Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts across the country, but it’s not only about the event — it’s the memories that are made in the process.

Youngsters in Cub Scout pack 553 raced their derby cars last Saturday at Lincoln School. About 35 of the pack’s 50 scouts participated in this year’s event. Siblings and adults also competed in their own race as well.

Jennifer Topping, committee chair for the pack, said the scouts enjoy cheering each other on during the races. Parents and grandparents also cheered from the sidelines.

“We try to focus more on the experience of building the car and having fun than actually winning,” Topping said. “The boys helped cheer on other denmates.”

Pictured above, Ryker Sanderson in the Wolf Pack won the Sportsmanship award.

Tom McDermott agrees it is all about the experience and the chance to spend family time together on a project away from video games and TV. As a former pack leader, McDermott spent many years helping his grandson prepare a derby car. This year as president of the Kiwanis Golden K, he attended the pinewood derby to present a check from the Rochelle Kiwanis clubs.

“The pinewood derby gives you that chance for the parent and the scout to work together that takes more than five minutes. It becomes a family activity.” McDermott said. “We would plan out how to get the weights right, cut out the cars, make sure they were smooth using sandpaper…it’s a good time. At that age group it’s one of the things that make memories that last. We have Eagle Scouts that still talk about their derbies.”

The scouts are given a block of pinewood, four plastic wheels, and four nails. From there the options are nearly endless as long as the finished car weighs five ounces or less and falls into the length and width required by established council rules. As a general rule, the scouts help to the level they can, whether it is whittled with a hand knife, using a carving tool, or attaching model decals.

Many scouts also add weights using coins or lead and steel pieces to help add weight, helping to propel the gravity-powered cars to the finish line. Other “secrets” to a fast pinewood derby car include polishing the axles with pipe cleaners and placing the weights about an inch in front of the rear axle.

History of the derby

Many sources credit Don Murphy, Cubmaster of Pack 280C (the present Pack 713) as coming up with the concept in the 1950s. Murphy wanted to create an activity that would bring fathers and sons together, promoting craftsmanship and good sportsmanship.

Subsequently the first pinewood derby was held in 1953 in Manhattan Beach, California. Soon after Murphy pitched his idea to the Boy Scouts of America national office, promoting it as a fun event for Scout packs nationwide. Since then the event has become an annual tradition with youngsters and parents spending time together in the design, carving, painting and detailing derby cars.

Locally on race day the event also gave a chance for siblings and adults to participate in their own races. Topping explained each den races three times.

“Each of the dens — Tigers, Wolves, Bears, Webelos, and Arrow of Light each race their car three times. The computer averages all the heats based on speed and that’s how the first, second, and third places are determined,” Topping said. “After that we have all five of the first place winners race against each other to determine which pack is the fastest.”

Pictured above, Owen Carmichael stands next to his derby car and trophies, capturing the Fastest Car in the Pack title.

There is also an award for best design from each den as well as one for good sportsmanship. The scouts earning first and second place and best design go on to the main district event in April where they race kids from other packs. That event is held in Pecatonica.

“A huge part of the derby was made possible by the donation from the Kiwanis,” Topping said gratefully.

Both Kiwanis clubs in Rochelle contributed financially to the pinewood derby with their donation. McDermott explained a few years ago the Golden K decided to become a sponsor and with the monetary donation from both clubs, it helps purchase the cars, ribbons, and trophies.

“The derby is pretty cool…quite the adventure. It’s great for the boys, parents, and grandparents. The boys do a lot of work themselves,” McDermott said. “The Golden K is all about what we can do for the children of the world. The kids of Rochelle and Ogle County, in our little part of the world… It’s a great experience for them.”

During the derby, the Webelos den hosts the concession stand and raffle. The proceeds from the event help to pay for the boys’ final year as cub scouts.

“This year we had a large amount of donations both in food and raffle items…the more we get donated, the better the outcome for our Webelos boys,” Topping said. “We would like to thank C & S Flooring, Sunshine Bakery, Patricia Goodwin with Healthy Skin, Dorene Albaugh with Jamberry, Pamela Rose from Ricco’s, Ashley Patrick from Ricco’s, Lifeworks Photography, Hicks BBQ, Alfano’s, Jessica Navarro with Perfectly Posh, The Fit Hub, Lori Castenson, Jillian Wise with Mary Kay, Alice Topping, Super Lube, Ralfie’s BBQ, Lynne Kowalczyk with Pampered Chef, Sue Sevedge, and RMU for the tote bag full of items.”

Topping also thanks the support of Lincoln School, William Wise for running the computer, and to all the leaders and parents that helped to make the event a success.

Sign ups

Any boy in first through fifth grade in the next school year that is interested in registering for the 2018-2019 season can attend the sign up in May.

For more information, contact Jennifer Topping at j.topping26@hotmail.com.