Cub Scouts from across central, western Maine compete in regional Pine Wood Derby

WATERVILLE — Cub Scouts from the Waterville, Augusta, Gardiner area, as well as Farmington, Jackman and Camden rolled into the Waterville Lodge of Elks on Saturday, April 10, for the district-wide runoff of the Pine Wood Derby.
Partnered with a parent or guardian, Cub Scouts work together, strengthening bonds and building confidence – and their own custom race cars. They begin with an official Pinewood Derby Race Car kit, then create a design, then carve it from the wood block provided in the kit, and detail it with paint, decals and other accessories, and perfect strategies to compete in their pack’s own Pinewood Derby.

It’s a wonderful learning experience centered on teamwork, ingenuity and sportsmanship – all for the thrill of the race and a lifetime of great memories to share with fellow racers young and old. Winners at the local pack level went on to race at the district level. This year’s race was done in separate heats based on the rank of the Cub to limit the size of the audience. Volunteers set up the event the night before the races and spent all day on Saturday running races to make sure that each Cub’s car ran at least five times.
Awards were presented for the top three fastest cars, the best design and good sportsmanship. How fast were the cars? According to the official judges, the computer clocked the average speeds between 190 and 200 miles per hour.
Awards went to:
Best in Show: 1st John Campbellton Pack 672, Gardiner; 2nd Ryan Fossett Pack 684, Augusta; 3rd Derek Dixon Pack 495, Anson.
Lions: 1st Jayden Bradley Pack 436, Waterville; 2nd Tristen Carrier Pack 497, Jackman.
Tigers: 1st Silas Burton Pack 454, Oakland; 2nd Benjamin Sawyer Pack 585, Farmington; 3rd Mason St. Amand Pack 672, Gardiner.
Wolves: 1st Joshua Riddle Pack 672, Gardiner; 2nd Benjamin Tepelmann Pack 200, Camden; 3rd George Fuller Pack 684, Augusta.
Bears: 1st Eben Haviland Pack 436, Waterville; 2nd Land Hahn Pack 672, Gardiner; 3rd Cody St. Amand Pack 672, Gardiner.
Webelos 1: 1st Nat Burton Pack 454, Oakland; 2nd Vincent Bricker Pack 684, Augusta; 3rd Austin Brochu Pack 436, Waterville.
Arrow of Light: 1st Connor Riddle Pack 672, Gardiner; 2nd Philip Walton Pack 684, Augusta.
Sportsmanship: Lions Tristen Carrier Pack 497, Jackman; Tigers Mason St. Amand Pack 672, Gardiner; Wolves Blake Allen Pack 585, Farmington; Bears Daniel Bickford Pack 684, Augusta; Webelos 1 Camaeron Fails 585, Farmington; Arrow of Light Philip Walton Pack 684, Augusta.
Scouting volunteers who made this year’s Pinewood Derby so successful were Track Judge – Zachary LeHay, first class Scout, Troop 401, Sidney; Track Gatekeeper – Scott Labonte, Pack 454, Oakland; Track Announcer- Willie LeHay, cubmaster, Pack 454, Oakland; Track Refreshments – Wyatt Smith, first class Scout, Troop 433, Winslow; Track Safety – Garth Smith, Troop Committee, Troop 433 ,Winslow; Track Registration – Theresea Poirier, den leader, Pack 684, Augusta; Car Inspection – Andy Steinberger, den leader, Pack 454 Oakland.