By Dakota Antelman, Contributing Writer
Marlborough – Dozens of local Tiger Scouts and Cub Scouts brought homemade handheld race cars to the Solomon Pond Mall April 8 for a series of Pinewood Derby races.
The races consisted of small wooden cars made by Scouts and their families that raced on a metal track. Organizers propped up one end of the track so that gravity would carry the cars toward the finish line.
“It’s a great camaraderie builder [for Scouts and parents],” said Bob Luongo, one of several event organizers. “It’s a great personality builder. It helps them build their self-esteem. It gives them sportsmanship, and it’s a fun event.”
The Tiger and Cub Scouts raced in two slots before a crowd of parents as well as passersby who happened upon the track in the middle of the mall. Tiger and Cub Scout organizers officiated the event and presented winners with awards for speed as well as other superlatives such as best decoration of a car.
The races were the latest in a months-long Pinewood Derby tournament. Individual packs started the process of preparing in November by handing out car kits to members. They held qualifying races in the winter and early spring and sent up to five racers to the district event March 8.
Wrapping up their third year running that district race at the Solomon Pond Mall, organizers praised the venue for both its accommodations and its high profile, which allows them to advertise the Tiger and Cub Scouts to shoppers.
“You get a lot more visual stuff here,” Luongo said. “You get people coming up saying ‘Oh I remember when I was a Scout.’ You don’t get that in a closed venue. This is more public, which is a nice thing.”
Winners now advance to the next stage of races which are scheduled to take place early next month back at the Solomon Pond Mall. The winners of those races will then have the chance to compete once more in a regional race at Times Square in New York.
Photos/Dakota Antelman