Scouts vie for victory in Pinewood Derby
BY ERIN O. STATTEL Staff Writer

A crowd watches scouts from Cub Scout Pack 66 in Matawan compete in the Pinewood Derby on March 14.

MATAWAN- It was the fast and the furious of Pinewood cars at the Matawan MunicipalCommunityCenterwhenmembers of Cub Scout Pack 66 raced their handmade cars for a shot at a trophy.

"This was the first time we were in the community center, and the kids really had fun," said Frank Radics, Cub Scout Pack 66 Committee chairman.

Approximately 72 boys from Pack 66 in Matawan participated in the 28th annual Pinewood Derby on March 14 at the Community Center on Broad Street.According to pack leader Pedro Grillo, boys came from surrounding towns such as Hazlet, Old Bridge andAberdeen to participate.

Each rank had the opportunity to win a first-, second- or third-place trophy. The Scout divisions are broken down into Tiger, Wolf, Bear and Webelos. The Boy Scouts of Troop 66 assisted the Cub Scouts, and Scout MasterMarty Ruprecht led both.

According to Radics, each Scout had the opportunity to race three times.

The pinewood carswere raced on ametal track approximately 42 feet long and 2 feet wide.Computers clocked the speeds and converted themto scale in ratio to the size of the cars and the track.

The winning speed at 239 miles an hour in approximately 6 seconds belonged to winner Ian S., who will go on to the Monmouth County pinewood car derby.

Radics estimated it took from6 to 20 seconds for the cars to make it down the track, and the fastest car was a converted scale speed of 239 miles per hour.

"We really enjoy this activity because it is supposed to get parents involved with their children," Radics said. "I know the Cub Scouts have been doing this forever, because I remember doing it as a kid when I was a Cub Scout."

The winners fromtheMarch 14 race will compete against other regional Scouts in a county-wide race.

"We also name cars for Most Scout-like, Most Patriotic and Most Original," Radics explained. "My son is 8 years old, and I have been leading the pack for the past two years. We really have a lot of fun with it."

Radics said the Pinewood Derby is one of the bigger events during the year, but that the pack will be doing community service projects soon.

"The kidswill be ready to pick up litter at Cliffwood Beach inApril during our Litter to Glitter campaign," Radicks said. "We try to emphasize the importance of recycling during that campaign."

For more information on how to get involved with Cub Scout Pack 66, visit www.cubscoutpack66.com.