The 2021 Potomac District Pinewood Derby is in the books! On Saturday June 12th, a total of 66 cars from Packs around the Potomac District raced and the event picked up two more Packs participating this year over the field from the 2020 event. The event was held again remotely, as it was for the first time last year, and streamed out via a private Youtube channel. The race can be rewatched for a finite period here: https://youtu.be/QleFyboKOpM.
Cub Scouts chatted online as they competed for fastest cars by rank and for appearance in five judge’s categories. Despite it being essentially shaped and painted blocks of wood rolling down an incline, an event like this is takes planning and a core team of dedicated volunteer Scouts and Scouters. Three Scouts BSA, Peter C. of Troop 472, Connor V. and Devin C. of Troop 1450, ran the car check-in and race day heats and Dr. Stan Fricke of the NCAC STEM Committee served once again the Master of race day ceremonies. Eric Van Ryzin of Troop 1450 and Vince Camobreco, of Troop 472, provided the equipment and technical know-how, Stephen Allen, Potomac District Field Director, provided the online registration and NCAC provided the venue to broadcast from. Charles McKee and Jim Boyce of Pack 1280 coordinated the overall planning and awards. And appreciation goes to all the Pack points of contact who coordinated race car drop-offs for their Units in the week before the event. Next year the organizers look forward to seeing this event return to being in-person.
Scouts start designing those new cars!
