Nineteen cub scouts went to the races Saturday, March 1 as they put their carpentry skills to the test in Pack 74’s annual pinewood derby.

Designing cars that couldn’t be heavier than five ounces, had wheels of a certain dimension and couldn’t surpass a certain height for risk of hitting a tracking system, the scouts spent two Mondays building their cars.

“It’s pretty much have fun, design, color and have a blast,” said Cub Master Edward Nickerson.

Racing in the derby included a batmobile, a Formula One inspired car and several cars driven by LEGO figurines.

With names such as “Superbowl,” “Blue Lightening” and “IDK,” the cars raced four at a time with each getting a turn in each lane. The average times for each car were then taken to determine a race’s winner.

Placing in first, Oliver Guarte, 8, said he felt “very proud” for winning, adding that going into the race he thought he had “a little” chance to win.

“I had a lot of fun,” he added.

Owen Becker, 11, who came in fifth place after placing sixth last year, said he based his car’s design off of NASCAR.

Becker designed the shirts racers wore and also acted as the event’s announcer, letting the audience of scouts, family and community members know whose cars were racing, what they were called and which were winning.

“It’s fun,” he said. “You can put little jokes in and then they like it.”

The top five scouts with the fastest cars will get to compete against other scouts throughout the Southeast at regionals, which Nickerson said is a great opportunity for the kids to represent their pack, show what they do and show how much fun they have. 

Guarte said it’s “surprising” that he’s going to have another chance to race with his car while Becker said he’s “excited to be going to regionals.”

Superlative awards were also given out to several racers, with one scout winning the award for most patriotic car after painting his like the American flag. Another award was also given out to the racer with the most colorful car.

Nickerson said that this was the first year community members could enter the race, with scouts’ siblings and adults in the pack racing as well, bringing the total number of cars in the derby to 38.

“We’re all about community involvement. We like to give back to the community, and this time we wanted to give back a little bit of fun,” he said.