Pinewood Derby goes high-tech

The Cub Scouts in Plains have jumped into the 21st century with their new aluminum Pinewood Derby track, complete with a laser beam at the starting line and a light sensor finish. The accompanying computerized software program gave a finish down to 1/1,000th of a second and even showed how fast the cars traveled.

Derby race officials had a few bugs to work out at the start of the race at the LDS church Thursday evening, but once done, the race went off smooth and was done sooner than in past years. Packs 46 and 57 have gone through several race tracks since starting in the 1960s with wooden ones made by David Helterline and Glenn Hadley when their boys were Cub Scouts.

The most recent 30-foot track was made by Ron Wachsmuth and later modified by Joe Sheppard.

The Plains Lions Club, which sponsors the race each year, spent $1,700 on the new 50-foot long, some of which was paid for by private donations. No longer is it critical for three people to stand at the finish line to see which car crossed the finish line first, second and third, which eliminates the common discrepancy finishes of the past. “It sure takes the guesswork out of it,” said Alvin Amundson, a Lions Club member.

Amundson again served as the starter, although he took some light-hearted harassment for putting one of the cars on the track backwards.

And this year, no cars shot off the track, something that periodically happened in the past and lengthened the race time.

“This is a lot better,” said Don Damschen, a Lions Club member and a Cub Scout den leader. His youngest son Douglas Damschen of Pack 46 didn't place, but walked away with the “Sportiest Looking” certification for his vehicle, the “Bumblebee,” designed after a Transformer car. Damschen was one of a dozen boys from 6 years old to 11 to participate in this year's derby, which was about half the number of the 2007 competition. Each Scout received a certificate to recognize the work they put into their race cars.

After 13 heats, Aaron Baker's Silver Arrow was triumphant, finishing with the best finals time of 7.4670 seconds at a speed of 228.3 mph (to scale). Baker, a member of Pack 57 and a Webelo, beat last year's champion - Sam Arnold - by a fraction of a second. Arnold's Orange Crush finished at 7.4880, although in a previous heat, Arnold's vehicle topped out at a speed of 229.5 mph. The 11-year-old Arnold, a Webelo, nabbed first place last year for Pack 46, went on to place at the district competition in Ronan, but lost at the state level. In 2006, Arnold finished the local derby in third place.

Baker was able to get his Silver Arrow to the maximum weight of five ounces. He used 30-caliber bullets for weights and was initially slightly overweight. He and his father Keith drilled holes in the wood to lower the car's weight. Baker finished third last year, second the year before and fourth in 2005. As a Webelo, this was Baker's last year to compete in the derby. Baker's vehicle also won the Most Futuristic certificate. Arnold received the Most Aerodynamic award.

The top four cars from each pack qualified for the district competition, which is scheduled at the LDS church in Ronan Saturday, March 15.

In third place Thursday was Brian Baker and his Gold Stripes, finishing with a time of 7.6500. Baker, a member of Pack 57, also won the Most Realistic car award.

Tommy Dossett of Pack 46 and the Black Viper sped to fourth place at 7.6670 and left with the Most Patriotic achievement.

Lane Dameron, a Wolf Scout, crossed the finish line at 7.6780 at 222 mph for fourth with his car The Translator and took the Best Paint Job award.

Pack 46's Spencer Lamb and the Flaming Death captured sixth place at 7.7250 and received the Most Unusual award. Finishing at 7.7660 at 219.5 mph, Josh Connolly of Pack 46 and his Old Fashioned finished seventh place. Connolly, 8, was awarded the Best of Show award. And in eighth place was Blazz Wood and the Stunner, finishing 7.8080. Wood received the Best Workmanship.

Ty Cummings took home the Most Original with his The Trans Am. Connor Sampson, the youngest at 6 and the only Tiger Scout, won the Most Green award with his Lightning McQueen car. And Ty Harwood and Thunder received the Judges' Choice award.

Relatives and friends usually helped the boy make their cars, which came in kits.

The cars were weighed at Gambles Hardware and left there until an official picked them up on the day of the race.