Cub Scouts test their engineering, building skills on miniature racetrack
By Mary Ellen Zangara, Special Writer
Cub Scouts from Pack 193 held their annual Pinewood Derby race Thursday night in the basement of the VFW.
Scouts spent weeks working on their cars with family members getting them ready for the big race.
Scouts and families sat anxiously as Scoutmaster Jim Kelly weighed the 17 cars to make sure they fit regulations. Each car was hand-carved from wood, and the Scouts were able to decorate it as they wished. Cars ranged from a shark, a lizard car and even SpongeBob to regular race cars decorated with stickers.
Scouts cheered their cars as they made it down the ramp. After racing three times, the winners advanced to the next bracket while those lost cheered for fellow Scouts.
Mr. Kelly told the young Scouts, “This is just a matter of luck if you get up here and get a trophy; sometimes it is not. Remember, everybody had a car this year; everybody has somebody who cares about them; everybody is a winner.”
Tiger Scout Jimmy Lee was excited to watch his car and had help from his dad, Nick Lee.
”This is our first derby car race, and I am very excited. I helped build the car,” Mr. Lee said.
Cole Chapkowski made the shark car.
”I originally had the idea from something else, then my sister said ‘I want a shark,’” Cole said. “Then it bounced in my head I want a shark, too. My dad helped, and my mom painted some of it.”
Last year’s third-place winner Michael Brice was confident he was going to win again.
”I am going to win the derby again,” he said.
This year, Michael made a black-and-gold car with the help of his uncle, but unfortunately, the car didn’t make a repeat performance.
The final races pitted the Spiers brothers against each other for the title. Bryan, the young Scout, went undefeated in all of his races. Older brother, Jonathan, took second place.
Dad was very proud of both of his Scouts but said he was “shocked as this was the first Pinewood Derby ever, and this is their first year in Scouts so I am happy to be able to help them with this.”
First place went to Bryan Spiers, who built a Kung Fu Panda car and said he felt “Good” after winning the race. He was “happy” he beat his brother, claiming he had eight points. Second place went to his brother, who also felt good.
Jonathan made a skateboard car.
Jalen Petersen took third place with his lizard car.
”I was all riled up and nervous if I was going to make it or not to the finals,” he said. “This is my first time placing.”
His mom did the painting, and his dad helped, too.
The boys will be presented with their trophies at the Scouts’ annual Blue and Gold Dinner Sunday, Feb. 12. All of the Scouts received a participation ribbon.

