Friction, weight distribution, wheel and axle placement: the Pinewood Derby showcased the design and engineering skills of 129 area scouts Saturday morning.
The annual race hosted by the Scenic Trails Boy Scouts Council transformed the gym at Central Grade School into a hub of friendly but serious competition among groups of Tiger, Wolf, Bear and Webelo scouts. Participants hailed from Grand Traverse, Leelanau, Kalkaska and Antrim counties and were cheered on by an enthusiastic audience of 500 family members and friends.
The top two winners from each pack's event raced in Saturday's derby, their homemade cars crafted from a block of pine spanning the spectrum of look and feel.
"Aerodynamics is the key,” declared Michael Meindertsma of Bear Pack 134 based at Eastern Elementary School. "You can't have too much weight on one side.”
Andrew Brady, a member of Bear Pack 46 in Elk Rapids, and his dad, Ryan, built his car together, figuring out the best design by trial and error. At one point they had to move an axle to meet some mandated design specs, but the resulting streamlined vehicle placed second in Andrew's category.
"You try and get the weight as far in the back and the car as light as possible,” noted Ryan Brady, whose son participated in the derby for the third time.
While the project was a typical father-son endeavor for many, for some competitors it was a generation-spanning tradition. Meindertsma tapped his great grandfather, Lloyd Judd, for help planning and building his division topping entry.
"[Judd] helped build his grandson's car 25-30 years ago so when I asked him to help Michael out, he said, 'Where do I start?'” said Mike Meindertsma, Michael's dad. "That's really special to Michael.”
This family togetherness is just what the founder of the event, Don Murphy, envisioned when he created it in 1953. Within one year, scout troops nationwide were hosting Pinewood Derbies.
"It's more about family time — the founder wanted to construct a wholesome activity that would foster a better father-son relationship and promote craftsmanship and good sportsmanship through competition,” said Mark Ewing, district director for Grand Traverse, Leelanau and Kalkaska counties for the Scenic Trails Council.
Lee Cobb, leader of Pack 87 based at Silver Spring Elementary School, relished the time building and racing the cars with his sons.
"They came in dead last last year and this year my one son came in the top 10 and the other is still racing,” said Cobb during the event. "As you get older, you learn more tricks.”
The Scenic Trails Council, which spans 13 northwest Michigan counties and serves more than 4,000 youth, is divided into three geographic districts. Ewing said that his district includes 2,000 scouts and has offered a Pinewood Derby for at least 30 years. The council may host an informal run off this summer at Camp Greilick among district winners.
"Every year I'm amazed at what the designs that get built and the imagination in them,” Ewing said. "There's all kinds of theories, there are books on how to make your care faster and Web sites, all kinds of Web sites.”
"It went extremely well and I think a good learning experience for the scouts whether they win or lose — none of them are losers but whether they actually lose the race,” Ewing added.