Hi-Line District Scouts set second adult pinewood derby

The second annual Adult Pinewood Derby is set for Saturday, April 4, at the Great Northern Fairgrounds Community Building, with Friday the deadline for participants to register.

“Our second annual Adult Pinewood Derby Races are the Hi-Line District’s community fundraiser for our Investment in Character and Leadership  Campaign, formerly known as Friends of Scouting. This gives not only businesses, but the community the opportunity to participate in our fundraiser,” Pinewood Derby Hi-Line District Fundraiser Chair Jennifer Thompson said. “A great night is planned with a car calcutta, racing heats and best-in-show voting.”

Trophies will be awarded for the top six places, she said, adding that a Safest Car Award will be given out as well and a silent auction will be held.

She said Crawford Distillery and Old Station Brewing Co. of Havre and Blue Ridge Brewery of Malta will be providing beverages, and food will be available.

Thompson said business sponsorships help pay for the derby, which the Hi-Line District Scouts started last year.

The derby replaced the Friends of Scouting community luncheon the Hi-Line District Scouts used to hold.

“We’re hoping to be able to get more participants and community involvement,” she said.

The derby starts with a check in and weigh in from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. with the calcutta at 5:45 p.m. and the races to follow.

People can come to watch and socialize for $5.

The rules and a kit will be provided to participants when they register.

“A pinewood derby, for most, you start with a car kit that you get,” Thompson, who works for the Havre Daily News, said. “That is just a block of wood, and it comes with four nail axles and four wheels, and from there they can carve or add on to their car to make it fit our requirements for racing.”

Money collected will go to benefit all Hi-Line District Scouts from Big Sandy, Chester, Gildford, Havre and Malta.

Thompson added that the money helps cover adult trainings and activities for the youth throughout the year.

The derby costs $25 to register, which includes a car kit, and people must be 18 years or older to race.

Rules and registration forms can be picked up at Havre Daily News or at Ben Franklin Crafts.

For more information or to sponsor the derby, people can contact Thompson at 945-2623.