Barry rules 1st Pinewood Derby on Saipan

Pinewood Derby excitement finally made its way to Saipan Wednesday evening as members of Cub Scout Pack 913, families, and supporters gathered at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints for the island’s first taste of the 50-year-old tradition originating in California.

The derby featured nine wooden mini-cars carved by members of Pack 913, which they raced on a track. The cars were made of pine wood blocks.

Chris Barry emerged as the Grand Champion after winning all the races that his car participated in. A total of 20 heats were featured, with three cars taking the track at a time. Placing second and third were Ryan Baron and Harrison Smith.

Other winners included Crosby Schultz for the Artistic category, and Don Cabrera for the Technical category. Schultz was followed by Toby Muna and Arthur Sweat, while Cabrera’s finish was followed by Kai Yoshimoto and Kaime Omar.

Pack cubmaster F. Matthew Smith said the derby served as a venue for cub scouts to acquire and practice new skills.

He expressed hope that other packs within the Commonwealth will pick up the derby for a possible holding of contests between packs in the CNMI.

“We’re delighted by it, and hopefully we can start to involve the whole island and really do some exciting things,” he said. “I hope other scouts will get excited about it and we can have other packs challenge our pack for fun competition. We can have a CNMI-wide competition.”

Smith explained that, since the derby requires participants to carve and create their cars, it also serves as a time for the children to bond with their fathers, older brothers, or moms who will assist them with the project.

“Creating the cars really varies on how much time you put into it,” he said. “Some work three to four weeks to sand and carve, and one to put it together just the morning of the race.”

For his part, Paul Baron, whose son is a member of the pack, was awarded a special hammer for his effort in creating and designing the track.

“All the dads pitched in, but Paul was the foreman on building the track,” Smith said.

Smith said another event is set to take place next month featuring members and their father baking cakes.

“It’s a father-son cake bake, and only dads and boys can bake the cake,” he said. “It a fun event and the cakes would be auctioned off.”

Cub Scout is a pre-Boys Scout program for 8- to 11-year-old boys.

“The purpose is to get boys become aware of the community and how they can make it better and learn basic skills,” Smith said.

Pack 913 currently has 10 members. Smith encourages other to join the group.

Smith also extended appreciation to all the parents who supported the boys as well as church president Bill Steyskal.