Fast times, big smiles at Pinewood Derby

KENT — Kent Cub Scout Pack 11 and Warren Pack 341 held a joint Pinewood Derby at the First Congregational Church parish house on Saturday, March 7.

Youngsters in the Tiger, Bear, Webelos I and Webelos II levels raced against others in their class. The winners then competed by town to be crowned the overall fastest car of the afternoon. 

Entrants in the race were required to build their own race cars from kits purchased at Kent Apothecary. Each one contained a block of pine, plastic wheels and metal axles. 

The racers also paint and design the outside of their cars in any way they wish. The finished car has to use all the pieces in the kit, has to be below a certain weight (about 5 ounces), can’t exceed a specified length and has to fit on the track. 

The cars are placed at the top of a wooden track that is sloped toward the ground and the force of gravity carries them to the finish line. The Pinewood Derby was invented in 1953, according to Wikipedia, as a miniature version of the gravity-powered Soap Box Derbies. It was meant to be a race that youngsters could compete in. 

On Saturday, Aden Bishop was crowned the overall champion for Kent Pack 11 with a three-race average time of 2.418. 

Jacob Finch placed second with an average time of 2.511.Aiden Cherniske placed third overall with an average time of 2.513.

Darin Willenbrock of Warren took home the overall title for the Warren Pack 341 with an average time of 2.402. 

Neacolo DiNicola placed second with an average time of 2.410, and Jack Lawrence placed third with an average time of 2.442.

Cole Branson took home the top prize in the open division with a three-race average time of 2.396. Mason Willenbrock finished in second place with an average of 2.469, and Owen Horn finished in third place with an average time of 2.510.

The final runoff pitted the top racers from each pack and the open division against each other. It was Darin Willenbrock who was crowned the overall champion of the derby with a final average time of 2.394, edging out DiNicola by an average of just .003 seconds. Branson finished in third overall with an average time of 2.420.

For a small fee entrants and family members were also treated to breakfast (donuts, muffins, coffee and hot chocolate), lunch (two hot dogs, chips and a soda) and an all-you-can-eat ice cream sundae bar following the event.

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