Off to the Races
Tyler Land spent many long hours perfecting his car for the Trussville Boy Scout Pack 216’s Pinewood Derby: strategizing the design, positioning the axles and making sure his homemade shape was primed for a fast race to blow away the competition.
With the assistance of their parents and Scouting workshops, Boy Scouts such as Tyler built their cars with their own hands, showcasing their creativity at all levels.
Some even created their designs based on speed and the success of previous derby winners. Scouts had from Dec. 9, when they received the derby kits, to the night before the Jan. 20 event to complete their creations.
As a three-year Scout and member of the Arrow of Light Pack 216, Tyler said he wanted to focus not only on building the perfect car, but also on crossing the finish line faster. Tyler, a 10-year-old fifth-grader from Magnolia Elementary, believes there is a science behind the design of the cars.
“I have used some of the designs of cars that have won first place,” Tyler said. “I chose a design that was the most appealing and one that raced the best.
“My car is silver and shaped like a wrench,” said Tyler, who is in his fourth year racing the Pinewood Derby. Land placed second last year, and this year he placed third in his first race.
Nearly 60 cars were entered into the annual Pinewood Derby, which was held at the Trussville Civic Center. Scouts, siblings and parents had a full afternoon watching their homemade wooden cars race down the 40-foot track.
Pack 216 has six dens including Tigers, Wolves, Bears, Webelos and Lions, which started this fall. Lions must be 5 years old or in kindergarten. At the end of the year, Lions will “graduate” to Tigers and advance through Cub Scouting.
One new Lion Scout, Mattox Burton, a 6-year-old from Cahaba Elementary, had an opportunity to build and showcase his first car at the Pinewood Derby Race this year. Mattox, accompanied by his parents, Matt and Angela Burton, was ready for the race.
“Mattox was really excited about building his first car,” Angela Burton said. “He loved the Pinewood Derby and the father-son time that came along with it. He and his father spent a lot of time together and at the Scouting workshops learning about the different tools to use while building his car, including using hacksaws and sanders.”
Even though Mattox learned a tough lesson on not winning every race, he had a blast watching the cars zoom down the track.
“He lost two of his races,” Angela Burton said, “but, Mattox won his last race, and that got him excited again.”
Pack Assistant Scoutmaster Robert Letts said, “The boys’ excitement and enthusiasm was shown as they supported and cheered on everyone throughout the race.”
“Everyone came away a winner because they do their best,” he said.
Both Mattox and Tyler were introduced to Scouting during a Cub Scout presentation at Paine and Cahaba Elementary Schools.
“Mattox jumped off the bus one day to run and tell me about Scouting,” Angela Burton said. “He said that the Scout leader talked about building rockets and camping.”
“He is really excited about some upcoming camping trips,” she said.
Tyler was introduced to Scouting when he was in first grade.
“Tyler kept asking to get involved in Scouts,” said his mother, Claudine Land. “When he was in second grade, we met with the Scouts. Tyler told me that this was something that [he] really want to do, so we signed him up.”
The awards were for the top three in each den, top three siblings, Outlaw Class race, top three pack overall and best in show.
The results of the 2018 Trussville Cub Scout Pack 216 Pinewood Derby:
Lion Winners
► First place: Wil Blaauw
► Second place: Silas Thach
► Third place: Henry Hallman
Tiger Winners
► First place: Avery Santiago
► Second place: Connor Mitchell
► Third place: Ryland Spence
Wolf Winners
► First place: Keenan Lundy
► Second place: Jackson Frandsden
► Third place: John Alex Green
Bear Winners
► First place: Braxton Benefield
► Second place: Steven Richards
► Third place: CJ Algee
Webelos Winners
► First place: Ryland Letts
► Second place: Charlie Crider
► Third place: Davis Sharp
Arrow of Light Winners
► First place: Thomas Pair
► Second place: Johnny Banks
► Third place: Riley Harper
Sibling Winners
► First place: Lilee Richards
► Second place: Avery Lundy
► Third place: Mia Crider
Open Class Winners
► First place: Robb Letts, assistant Cubmaster
► Second place: Emily Davis, Lion Leader
► Third place: Preston Mitchell
Outlaw Class Winner
► Andy McClure
Best In Show Winner
(voted on by their peers)
► Gabriel Martin
Grand Finalists
► First place: Wil Blaauw
► Second place: Braxton Benefield
► Third place: John Alex Green
Pack overall grand finalist
► First place: Wil Blaauw, Lion
► Second place: Braxton Benefield, Bear
► Third place: John Alex Green