Cub Scout Pinewood Derby Set for Jan. 24

Local Cub Scout Pack 4426, which consists of boys ranging from first- through fifth-grades, will race wooden cars that they designed, competing in the annual Pinewood Derby.

The derby starts at noon, Jan. 24, at Holiday Village Mall. Participants must register their cars at 11 a.m. at the mall.

Bill Lanier, pack advancement chair, said the track for the races is about 40 feet long.

"This is something a lot of (the cubs) look forward to," he said. "Some of them sign up for Cub Scouts to do this - this is their big event."

Lanier also said the Cub Scouts were given a block of wood made of pine as material to create a car and that there are certain requirements for the cars, such as they cannot weigh over five ounces.

Lanier added that six cars will race at a time. Each den will race their cars in different matches and the top two of each den will move on to the championship.

The top three winners of each den will win trophies. The top three winners from the championship match will receive trophies as well.

Brian Simonson, cubmaster, said that the cubs are in the process of finalizing their cars.

"With the help of (Montana State University-Northern), we cut out cars this weekend," he said. "They cut them out in the woodshop down at Northern."

Simonson said his favorite part about being involved with this event is watching the kids get excited about their cars going down the track. He also said there will be a session of racing open to the public after the cub races.

"There will be an open heat, where family and friends, or really anyone who wants to make a Pinewood Derby car can come and register it," he said. "For the open heat, we don't have any (requirements for the cars)."

For more information on the Pinewood Derby, such as the requirements for the cars, visit http://pinewoodderby.org.