A Day at the Races

It was a day at the races for Cub Scout Pack 16 at Saint Philomena’s Parish. The track proved fast enough for 48 cars competing in the 60th Annual Pinewood Derby.

The Pinewood Derby is a favorite event of the scouts. And it has spun off its own miniature racing industry. There are design plans and speed supplies, tips for brushing dry graphite on the wheels to reduce friction and special weights to increase mass. It's a lesson in science on how gravity works to make cars go faster and how friction slows them down.

The Cub Scouts build their cars with their parents to help to foster relationships and craftsmanship. That's been the idea since the Boy Scouts of America first introduced the event nearly 60 years ago.

Thank you to Michael Smith, the boys scout leader, for submitting photos and information on the event. We're using his photos in our first View Finder, a new feature on Livingston Patch that will appear on Thursday afternoons. We've added a few of our own photos of the Pinewood Derby to showcase the speed and style, creativity and craftsmanship of the cars. Enjoy!