The time has come to dust off, or even build, racers for an upcoming event in Olathe.
Cub Scout Pack 3250 has announced the next Pinewood Derby, which will give people a chance to root for their favorite young up-and-coming Indy-car drivers. The cars that run in a pinewood derby are unmanned, miniature vehicles that have no power, and are usually built by the racers with help from adults. The cars are made from a block of pine, which gives them their name.
Pinewood derbies have become so popular with the Scouts that similar events have been developed by other organizations, and a small industry has sprung up to support the miniature racers, providing items like miniature tracks, scales, timers, and awards.
The pinewood derby was created to give children too young to participate in the traditional soap box derby a chance to have fun of their own. Soap box racers are cars large enough to have a driver sit inside, although they also are unpowered.
Both these events have a long history. The first soap box derby was held in 1933 in Dayton, Ohio, and the first pinewood derby goes back to 1953.
The Pinewood Derby is scheduled for January 25, and will run from 7.00 am until 12.00 pm at Heatherstone Elementary School on West 123rd Street in Olathe. Banner printing can be used to create suitable decorations for events like this.
