Cub Scouts Take Race Cars to the Track

Tradition met technology last month as Gig Harbor Cub Scout Pack 202 held its annual Pinewood Derby on their new state-of-the-art "Fast Track".

Handmade cars raced down a polished shiny track while Cub Scouts and their families loudly supported their favorite racer. At the finish line an electronic timer proclaimed the winners, rankings and the elapsed time for each. As the name of the cars' owners and their standings were projected overhead it was clear that the time-honored event had come into the 21st century. This is the first Pinewood Derby using the newly acquired electronic timing system along with the state of the art aluminum race track for the Pack.

In the auditorium bleacher seats and yellow caution tape separated the race track from the spectators. Colorful and unique race cars, designed and built by Cubs and their families, sat ready in their closely guarded parking spaces.

Cub Scout Leaders clad in their official striped jerseys, ran the computers and Cub Master, James Spitzer announced the cars and their owners. Cub Leaders Eric Carlson, William Barnato, and Glenn Rodgers provided the technical expertise and hard work necessary to manage and officiate the race. The remaining leaders helped with cars and kids to make Pinewood Derby race night successful.

Cub Scout Pack 202, which is sponsored by the Rotary Club, has been chartered for more than 20 years and has 75 boys ranging in age from 6 years to 11 years. Each year the boys participate in a fund raising event, a popcorn sales drive. By going door to door or by displaying their popcorn at local stores, like and , they raised the money necessary to purchase the track. Thirty-five per cent of the gross sales go to the Pack's scholarships and projects. The rest goes to support the Boy Scouts of America. 

Pack 202 has had record sales for the last three years. The purchase of the state of the art Fast Track system has proved to be a great asset to the Pack and has increased the excitement and fervor of the annual race. It has also made it possible to run the race with unprecedented efficiency by cutting up to an hour off the time required to complete the races -- a win-win for everyone.

Cub Pack 202 meets on the third Thursday of the month at Voyager School.

Information provided by Jim and Linda Gough.