These derby racers really 'Zoom'

With 24 racers, their builders and pit crews, the basement of St. Robert Bellarmine Church would have surely been buzzing Saturday for the Pack 20 pinewood derby. But pandemic regulations don’t look favorably on big turnouts. That doesn’t mean, however, that a signature event for Cub Scouts must be canceled.

Cubmaster Mark Daponte and his crew wouldn’t let that happen. Instead of congregating in the church basement, event registration went outside in the parking lot. As parents pulled in, they were greeted by a display of some unusual machines and Susan DeAthos, who manned a table where the derby racers were weighed and registered. On display were trophies and goodie bags for each contestant.

From the parking lot, the racers were transported to the track in the basement where the action would take place and be Zoomed to those watching at home. Each of the racers were entered in a double elimination competition, with the five fastest cars being entered in the Pinewood Derby Race of Champions to be held at Camp Yawgoog on Aril 10.

Zooming into the winner’s circle were Alex DaPonte, first place; Andre Slinko, second; Galvin Kleinburg, third; Jamison DeAthos, fourth; and Ryder Dieringer, fifth.

And not everything was based on speed. The best paint award went to Logan Cabral; Most Likely Built by a Scout, Jamison DeAthos; Most Cub Scout Pride, Andre Slinko; Most Original, Derryck Roberts Canham; and Most Humorous, Antonio Bressette. (Text and photos by John Howell)