This year’s Pinewood Derby approaching

    It’s time for the Pinewood Derby again. Action will begin at 2 p.m. March 11 at the Wellington Gym.
    The three divisions of racers will be, Cub Scouts, 1st - 5th grades, Boy Scouts, 6th - 8th grades and the Father/Business division.
    Lance Kuenning is an assistant scout leader to Nate Vitosh who is currently leader over all the scouts.
    Kuenning said the scouts have all received their pinewood car kits and are working on their designs to make their car the sharpest looking and fastest moving for the derby.
    Parent involvement is encouraged to help each scout with the construction of their car.
    “It’s more of a safety issue that a parent help with any use of tools that could cause injury. But responsibility for the idea behind the design in shape and decorative application is up to the scout,” Kuenning said.
    Participants cannot alter the size of their car in respect to width and length, he said. They can paint and shape the car, but it must not exceed a weight of 5 ounces.
    Each division of racers will be judged on speed and design.
    Kuenning said if anyone is still wanting to purchase a car kit to compete in the Father/Business division, they can contact him at 308-289-1398. The cost of the kit is $20.
    Check in for all participants is Saturday, March 10, by 2 p.m. at the Wellington Gym. Winning cars for each division and category will be decided on Saturday, except for fastest cars.
    On Sunday, fastest cars and all other category winners will be announced at the end of the derby, and awards and trophies will be presented.
    The track is 30 feet long and four feet high. Races are gravity driven, and each car will race at least four times.
    “This event is put on each year for the enjoyment of the kids and the parents,” Kuenning said.
    He added they usually have about 15 to 20 cars that race in the derby each year.
    “It’s a fun time for everyone, and the public is invited to attend,” he said.
    Kuenning is in the process of transitioning to take over leadership of the Cub Scouts by the end of the year, he said.