Fifty-nine years ago, Cubmaster Don Murphy organized the very first pinewood derby in Manhattan Beach, California. Murphy's son was too young to participate in the popular Soap Box Derby races, so he came up with the idea of racing miniature wood cars. The cars had the same gravity-powered concept as the full-size Soap Box Derby cars, but were much smaller and easier to build. After Don Murphy's first race in 1953 the Los Angeles County Department of Recreation copied the pinewood derby with Murphy's permission.
Full time missionaries enjoy pinewood derby racing too
For more than half a century, pinewood derby racing has been embraced not only by Cub Scouting, but it has a strong following with the Girl Scouts, other youth organizations, and adult groups too. Within the Church, an annual pinewood derby competition is frequently held in conjunction with another fun activity . . . the chili cook-off.
On March 3rd, Chesapeake Ward families had a wonderful evening together enjoying many "special ingredient" chili recipes while cheering on their favorite homemade pinewood derby racers in a double elimination tournament. All of the race cars had to weigh-in on a scale set up at the registration table for that purpose.
Everyone had a chance to race his car!
Even little children were allowed to use the racetrack for their "unofficial" racecar entries. And those folks who didn't have a derby racer enjoyed the opportunity just to visit with each other and eat chili.
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