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Historical Cub Scout Pack 6 | Real Pack 6 |
Yet another Pinewood Derby brought an afternoon of racing excitement to the Scouts of Pack 6. Thanks to the official starter who got everything going, the judges whose eagle eyes watched over every race, the announcer whose snappy microphone work kept everything moving along and the official recorder who captured all the results on computer, along with the den chiefs who ferried cars back and forth, the 1 PM ribbon cutting kicked off a truly memorable event.
First the bad news - continuing a three year run of "circumstances beyond control", Cubmaster Chris Jacobi lost yet another racecar to an untimely explosion. The explosion took place only feet from the finish line as the jumpsuit-clad Mr. Jacobi watched his car's lead go up in smoke. Afterwards, a sympathetic audience called for Mr. Jacobi's retirement, if only for his own sake. Den leader Dan Jett suggested diplomatically that Mr. Jacobi seek other outlets for his racing fantasies, "He needs sanctions to keep him away." Other officials agreed, "You could smell the smoke everywhere -- it's a good thing we had fire extinguishers handy." said den chief Tony J.. Mr. Jacobi declined comment, clearly moved by the immolation of his "dream car".
Other observers were moved in different ways. Matthew C., aged 9 weeks and 6 days, said of this, his first Pinewood Derby, through his protector and brother, Michael C., "Wow! I'm majorly excited!" (a Californian reaction). Ariel T., according to his mom Rosalie, was excited beyond words. Samuel S. lost two front teeth on purpose so that he would be lighter and his car would go faster. Bobby G. claimed supreme confidence, while Stefan G. made sure that he got out of the right side of his bed, "Just for luck".
Luck aside, many dream cars were present. David P.'s car was number 1 during trial heats yesterday and he felt confident that it would win today (it did). Justin S. built himself a fast car and it lived up to his hopes. Aritz C. made sure that his car was orange - "It's a faster color, you know". And, full of confidence, Patrick R. said "My car is so fast that it can beat everyone going sideways!" Chris H. chose black for his car - "It's the color of my hair." while Eric J. tried making an alligator-shaped car, but, facing technical difficulties with the alligator's snout, ended up with his sister's car (It was fast enough to help him win his heat.)
Many contestants were cool, even up to racetime. Alec L. said simply, "It's my first race, but I'm not nervous - it's just a race. There'll be more like this. I'm wearing my lucky boots, though." Nick W., also a first time racer said, "I'm feeling calm - if I win, I win. My Dad works with power tools and when he helped me with my car, he told me that if he lost a finger, it was for me." (Nick's dad appeared to have all ten fingers.) For Kevin H., this was his second race. He chose blue this year ("It was the coolest shade on the paint label"), as well as firebird decals ("They make it faster, you know."). Greg S., winner of his heat, was economic with his words, "I feel kinda good. No comment."
Recipes for success were tightly guarded. Eric S. said only, "I know how to build em good. I learned when I was a Tiger Cub. You build em aerodynamic." Keith H., another advocate for speedy paint, said "I chose silver - I like its speed." When pressed further, Mr. H. gave up his own secret for success, "Scotty A. gave me the moral support." Scotty A. had another view, "My dad helped me, but Keith's dad lent me the Super Glue. Dad got some on his hands, but it came off after the car ride home." Mr. A. declined to specify where the Super Glue had come off onto. Peter A. also declined. In his case, Mr. A. declined to brush his teeth in order to bring his car luck. "My car's very good looking. It's shiny and smooth. It better be. I sanded it for an hour and a half." Jonathan D.'s recipe for success was more basic. "I covered my car with graphite - it's slippery!"
Despite setbacks, contestants were optimistic that they would do well. Coleman G. attributed his first place finish in his heat to a broken axle. "I could have done better, but if it breaks, who cares?" Jeff E.'s car was trouble-free, a fact he attributed to his color choices. "I chose blue, gold and red. They were the coolest colors. Aren't I right?" Needless to say, Mr. E.'s choice was vindicated by his finish.
Other contestants were more philosophical. Mike K. was watching the other races "to keep from getting nervous when I race." Hof S., whose first race this was, had placed special weights on his car to help it go faster, "But I also wore my underwear backwards for luck." Nathan M. was sad that this would be his last derby. "I'll miss the competition." His father David, looking forward to another set of Pinewood Derbies with Nathan's younger brother, declined comment. Joel C. said "I put on a fishing weight for luck - afterwards I can use it to catch a big one." Jonathan W. shouted "No comment! I don't like nosy reporters!"
A few more contestants shared their secrets. Rob J. said, "I spray painted my car red. Boy, it's fast." David H., analytic to the end, offered "It's lots of graphite that makes your car fast, not the weight." Maarten L., attending his third race, allowed how he was still "Kinda nervous." while his brother Arjan didn't want to say anything at all. James M., interviewed while eating french fries ("They relieve stress.") said that his secret laid in polishing his tires until they felt smooth like stones, "It's not what your car looks like, it's the wheels that make it fast." Just to be sure, Mr. M. brandished his lucky hat. (He took first place.)
For everything there is a season. David D., veteran of at least four Pinewood Derbies, felt that previous Derbies were better. "It was better when they gave out medals instead of certificates." And Warren P. brought the oldest car to the race. "It's 33 years old. I built it in 1963. The wood was softer in those days, but you sure had to do a lot of whittling." While whittling was beyond the current competence of Matthew C. (1), his last reaction to this exciting day summed everything up. "ZZZZZZZ."
Other pinewood derby pages on the web: P77 Foul-Ups McGrew AgentZ Tips P623 P46 Stan P215 P117 SD500 CarTalk NWSC Help Yahoo Search P950
URL: http://www.scoutway.net/unit/pack6/pinewood.html
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