Amy Batista, Special Writer
MONROE — The Mill Lake Elementary School was transformed into a mini raceway Friday where about 55 Monroe Cub Scouts from Pack 3 and their families cheered on their cars at the annual Pinewood Derby as they raced down the 48-foot aluminum track.
For many Cubs, this competition is synonymous with being a Boy Scout. For some Scouts that evening, it was a first experience. For others, it was a chance to see if they were able to perfect and modify their cars this year around in hopes of winning and being the pack champion.
As Cub Scouts arrived for race night, they registered and had their cars officially weighed. Each car was assigned a number, and the Scouts inserted the car’s number in the derby scoring system. Siblings also had the unique opportunity to design and race their cars as well and be included in the experience that evening.
Racers got to use the Central New Jersey District track in Dayton for competitions this time around. It was a six-lane raceway especially built for derbies with an electronic device at the end of the racetrack, which records what cars came in and their time.
Every year, more than a million Cub Scouts and adult partners team up to participate in a Pinewood Derby, a tradition that goes back generations, according to the Boy Scouts of America Pinewood Derby website, www.pinewoodderby.org.
For many Cub Scouts, racing in the Pinewood Derby creates a bond between a Cub Scout and all those who have raced before and for all those who will follow to participate in this same tradition.
The Pinewood Derby dates back to the first race in 1953 in Southern California at Manhattan Beach by the troop Cub Scout 280C and Cubmaster Donald Murphy.
It all starts with a block of wood. With the assistance of their parents, these Scouts construct their own miniature racecars out of pinewood. All Scouts start with the same derby kit, which contains a wooden block, wheels and nails for the axles. From there, the wood is sliced, carved, shaved, drilled and painted to meet basic race specifications.
Designs are endless. All cars in must be of a certain size and weight so they have an equal chance to win.
One Scout turned the wood into a bathroom, complete with a toilet, toilet paper, basket of magazines and Darth Vader sitting on top of the toilet. Another car was shaped like a guitar with a guitar mounted on the top, complete with a guitar pick and music notes lining the side of the car.
Parent volunteers worked the registration table, and there was a weigh-in section to make sure the cars passed inspection and met the official Pinewood Derby rules. Each car was placed into a wood frame to verify cars were the correct size since they cannot be more than 7 inches and 2¾ inches wide.
Organizers brought large metal files, weights and other carving tools so Scouts could make last-minute changes.
Cars had to be exactly 5 ounces. For some, that meant gluing washers to underweight vehicles or filing off part of the car if it was on the heavy side.
Awards were given for the Mayor’s Choice Award and People’s Choice Award.
Devin Sherron, 9, was selected by Mayor Richard Pucci, of Monroe, to receive the Mayor’s Choice Award. Devin designed the guitar-themed car.
”Every year, we have the tough issue of picking out only one, and I have to say, in all honesty, every year, it gets tougher and tougher,” said Mayor Pucci when it came time to reveal his choice. “It’s truly outstanding. You all deserve a great big round of applause.”
He said to the children, “I kind of let my heart speak for being able to pick out the speed, but in my heart, as a young kid, I had dreams. Let’s see if you can figure out which one. I always liked Elvis Presley. Some of your parents may know who that is. So I went with the guitar car.”
”It was pretty much awesome,” Devin said after being selected. “I was excited because I got to meet the mayor and got this medal.”
Devin selected his guitar themed-car because he plays electric guitar.
”It’s not about winning or losing; it’s the fun and enjoyment of making the car,” said his father Rob Sherron, of Monroe. “I think that’s what Cub Scouts is really about. Spending time with your child.”
A group of Cub Scouts were invited up to the front to do their Cub Scout pledge and promise prior to the start of the races. Mayor Pucci and Councilwoman Leslie Koppel joined them.
Mayor Pucci started the race with “Ready, Set, Go.”
The derby starts off from a standstill on the track, then the cars go down a ramp to the finish line unaided. The track is an inclined ramp with wood strips down the center to guide the cars. Surprisingly, these miniature wood racecars can go as fast as 20 mph.
”It was an excellent experience,” said parent Gerry Alexis, of Monroe.
This was the first time his son Jon, 6, of the Tigers, participated in a Pinewood Derby event.
”Better than what I thought it would be,” Mr. Alexis added.
Mr. Alexis spent a full week helping his son create his car. He did a racecar-themed car. Jon is a big fan of racing.
”He loved it,” Mr. Alexis said.
Not all den leaders are dads. Moms have stepped up to lead the pack and experience Scouting with their sons.
”It was a wonderful event,” said parent and den leader Jaya Raghav, of Monroe. “It teaches the boys the value of recreating and the value of how to succeed when there are a lot of failures.”
She added, “They get a block of wood, carve it and make it the way they want and decorate it outside. They work on the aerodynamics and a lot of machines and learn a lot about tools. It’s a very long process, and they have to work on alignment on the machinery to turn the wood into something creative.”
”It’s pretty fun and exciting,” said Jacob Volastro, who competed for the fourth time.
”I think it’s a great event for the boys,” said parent and Den Leader Kristin Volastro, of Monroe. “They get really excited. I think it’s a great opportunity for the boys to work with their dads and design the car and come up with the idea and work together. Some of the ideas are so creative. It’s probably one of their favorite events of the year.”
Karl Lopardo, 10, from the Webelos designed a Pokémon-themed car. Karl was last year’s pack champion and has won many races. He did not want to reveal his secret to winning.
His brother, Ryan, 7, designed a Monroe Falcon-themed car, and this was his second year racing.
”You get to race your cars against different people,” said Ryan as he explained his favorite part about the derby.
”Every year that my son (Tyler) has been part of Scouting, I’ve watched him grow as a person, learn new skills and become a team player,” said den leader and committee Chairman Stan Jadwinski. “And all the while, he’s having a lot of fun, too.”
He added, “The Pinewood Derby is a great example. Each year, we build his car together, and each year, he shows just how much more he’s learned about using tools and woodworking. And even though he doesn’t win the races normally, he still smiles with pride as that car runs down the track. When he does win, he’s jumping with excitement. If he doesn’t win, he isn’t groaning either though. He just makes his way to that friend who won and gives them a high five. That, to me, is priceless.”

