Landon McDannold knew his car was going to do great in the annual Pinewood Derby held Saturday by Troop 64.
The 7-year-old went undefeated.
The cars made for the derby are created out of small blocks of wood, which are carved, painted and designed however the participants want as long as the car weighs exactly 5 ounces.
“I got to choose the stickers on mine, and I really love the design,” McDannold said.
The process of turning a block of wood into a car takes time and patience.
“We spent a week or two working on it,” said Cub Scout Kye Flax, who worked on his car with his father.
The Pinewood Derby started in the early 1950s and has become a tradition for Scouts across the nation since.
Local Scoutmaster Jim Lord has been a part of Troop 64’s Pinewood Derby since 2010.
“It’s a national thing. It’s a big deal,” Jim Lord said.
Scout leader Zach Brooks said the derby is an opportunity for Scouts to learn how to lead and problem solve.
“They learn good leadership skills in the Boy Scouts,” he said in an interview last week.
Due to COVID-19, the charity chili cookout was canceled, but a fish fry is now scheduled for May.
On Saturday, Scouts held two racing events. The first was an open class, which was open to friends and family to watch any member of Troop 64 who made a car race.
Troop member Caleb Lord participated in the open class race and helped set up the derby.
“We’re just here to have fun,” he said.
The participants started by checking in and weighing their car. The participants then headed over to put graphite on the wheels of their cars.
Scout Isaac Aronhalt said graphite is applied in front and behind the wheels so the wheels move faster on the track.
The top speed of cars reached over 194 mph, according to the software used to time the race.
Troop member Lori Brooks helped position the cars before each heat. Brooks has participated in the derby for two years but did not participate this year.
Brooks said she joined the pack about seven years ago.
“My older brother did it and I just like camping and stuff, and so I decided to join,” Brooks said.
Medals and trophies were awarded to select participants.
McDannold went undefeated, Logan Brooks took second place and Flax placed third. Faith Pitts received a trophy for slowest car, and Andrew Staples received a trophy for best design.
Megan Deters contributed to this story.
Reach reporter Hannah Nystrom at [email protected]
