Cub Scouts race toward the future 
Pinewood Derby brings out best in scouts and families. 
By TIM WILLERT

Burbank Leader Wednesday, March 14, 2001 

C.G. , 9, finished first out of the 35 Cub Scouts who entered in Sunday's Pinewood Derby Race at St. Finbar's Catholic Church, which sponsors Pack No. 219.  Whether it's NASCAR or Pinewood Derby, the will to win is there for several of the participants, including C.G..  "I feel good ... because I had revenge on my friend," he said,
beaming. 

The cars are 7 inches in length and must weigh 5 ounces before they can travel down a 40-foot track. Family members and friends helped the Scouts mold their entries from a block of wood, then attach wheels and decorate them. 

"This is huge," said Mike Parker, Cubmaster of Pack No. 219." I would say that for almost every kid in the pack, this is their favorite activity of the entire year." 

In the open competition, M. G. finished first out of 29,ahead of J. B. and M. K.,  N. S., 5, placed first among nonscouts competing in the open division. 

"The Cub Scouts aren't the only ones who like doing it," said
Parker, whose 9-year-old son competed in both races. "We found that if we opened it up to more than just the Scouts, then it made it more of a family event." 

Said 10-year-old B. S., a McKinley Elementary fifth-grader who made it to the finals of Sunday's race: "You get to make your car and design it and race it. I feel really good after all that work."