WILDWOOD — Wildwood Cub Scout Pack 184 held their annual Pinewood Derby March 1 at the American Legion Hall.
The cubs, from Lions (kindergarten) to second year WeBelos (grade five), raced each other in double elimination heats.
After about 50 or so races the winners were recognized. Making Pack 184 history was Estrella Ortiz-Sanchez, our first female scout first place winner.
In second place was Christian Barrios-Ramos, and our third-place winner was Bryan Collins.
The first Pinewood Derby was held by Don Murphy, Cub Master for Pack 280C on May 15, 1953, in Manhattan Beach, California. Murphy decided the car kit should consist of a 7 3/8 ” block of pine wood with small wooden struts that would hold the axles. The “axles” were nothing more than finish nails.
The pinewood car would resemble a Grand Prix Racer. The little block of soft pine wood could easily be carved and shaped into any design the Scout could imagine. Today’s rules for building include: the car cannot weigh more than 5 ounces, it cannot be lengthened, nor can the wheelbase be changed.
Pinewood Derby Car racing is now the premier annual event of the Cub Scouts, thanks to Don Murphy’s vision in 1953.
It is estimated that over 50 million kids have built pinewood derby cars since that infamous day in 1953.
Anyone looking to experience the fun of scouting can request information or join scouting at: https://beascout.scouting.org.
