Staff writer
Thirty cub scouts and tiger cubs raced and displayed their creations, including replicas of the General Lee and the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile Sunday at Pack 102’s Pinewood Derby.
Early in the event, the pack presented a $650 check to the Marion Ministerial Alliance for the Helping Hands program. The money came from popcorn sales. Scouts sold more than $13,000 of popcorn, Cubmaster Jackie Palic said.
Eastmoor United Methodist Church Pastor Mike Eurit accepted the donation on behalf of the ministerial alliance and judged entries for the best design and most unique prizes.
The derby was a double-elimination tournament, and each contest was best two-out-of-three.
The tiger cubs raced first. Matthew Christensen won first place, Tristan Armstrong earned second, and Luke Lanning placed third.
In the cub scout tournament, Zachary Fruechting won first place, Janson Garman earned second, and Riley Hake placed third. Fruechting received the best design trophy, and Austin Molleker won the most unique trophy for his replica Wienermobile.
William Holt, in his first year in Webelos, was among the veteran racers at the event. Holt said he had success in previous years, and he attributed it to some design features.
Holt sands the wheels to be lighter. He takes a couple of steps with the axles, spacing them farther apart on the car and sanding them so they turn smoothly. He also makes the car in a wedge shape to reduce drag, and puts the weight in the back of the gravity-powered racer.
His father, Terry Holt, said he appreciates the opportunity to help build the car every year.
“It’s a lesson in physics,” he said. “You talk about momentum, friction, and aerodynamic design.”