March 30, 2025

 

The Alamo Area Council 583 Pinewood Derby Championship roared into action on March 30th, bringing together Scouts and their families for a thrilling day of competition, creativity, and camaraderie. Held at McGimsey Scout Park, this annual event showcased the engineering prowess and racing spirit of participants across various dens, with handcrafted wooden cars speeding down the track vying for top honors. This year’s derby featured the traditional timed races, an adult Outlaw division, a high-octane SuperPower class with electric-powered cars, and—for the first time—a double-elimination drag race competition that added a fresh twist to the festivities.

A Pinewood Tradition

The event buzzed with excitement as Scouts from the Lion, Wolf, Bear, Webelos, and AOL (Arrow of Light) dens rolled out their meticulously designed cars. Each den competed in a series of heats, with the top two racers from each den advancing to the Grand Finals—a showdown to determine the fastest Scout in the Council. Meanwhile, adults flexed their competitive muscles in the Outlaw and SuperPower divisions, pushing the boundaries of Pinewood Derby engineering. With cars ranging from sleek gravity-powered designs to electric powered duct-fan machines, the track was alive with speed and innovation.

Den Race Highlights

Lions and Tigers Den

Racing as a combined group of Lions and Tigers, Bella S. (Tiger) and Ray S. (Tiger) engaged in a neck-and-neck battle. Bella’s car edged out Ray’s by the slimmest of margins, with her average time of 3.140 seconds just barely surpassing Ray’s 3.145 seconds. The fight for third was even closer as Marshall D. (Lion) bested Sione M. (Lion) by a mere .0003 seconds over the four runs. The Lions and Tigers highlighted the skill of the youngest competitors, with the top racers separated by mere fractions of a second.

Wolf Den

Kat B. led the Wolf den with a 3.166-second average, her best time of 3.158 seconds reflecting steady performance. Liam W., with a 3.169-second average and a blazing best of 3.100 seconds, took second—hinting at his versatility, which would later shine in the drag race event. Colin S. finished third at 3.179 seconds, keeping the Wolf races thrillingly competitive.

Bear Den

Wesley L. and his car, aptly named “Poison,” dominated the Bear den with remarkable consistency. His times ranged from 3.1094 to 3.1283 seconds, giving him an average of 3.118 seconds—the fastest in his den. Moksharam G. took second with 3.142 seconds, while Mason K. secured third at 3.149 seconds, making the Bear den a showcase of close competition. However, Wesley’s consistency proved unbeatable.

Webelos Den

Patrick C. was the standout performer in the Webelos den, recording some of the fastest times of the entire event. His blistering 3.0524 seconds in heat 1 set the tone, and he maintained his speed throughout, finishing with an average of 3.063 seconds. Kilian C. also impressed, securing second place with an average of 3.074 seconds, but Patrick’s dominance was clear. Max I. took third with 3.102 seconds, rounding out a strong Webelos showing.

AOL Den

In the AOL den, Brooke B. edged out a fiercely competitive field with an average time of 3.086 seconds across four heats. Her consistency was remarkable, with a best time of 3.078 seconds and a worst of 3.092 seconds—showing just how tight the margins were. Hot on her heels was Kiyaan T., finishing second with a 3.087-second average, his best time of 3.072 seconds hinting at the speed that would later shine in the Grand Finals. Ananya P. rounded out the top three with 3.173 seconds, proving the AOL racers were a force to be reckoned with.

Grand Finals: The Ultimate Showdown

The Grand Finals brought together the top two racers from each den for a high-stakes battle, with average times across four heats determining the Council’s fastest Scout. The competition was razor-close, with fractions of a second separating the leaders.

1st Patrick C. (Webelos) claimed the title of Grand Champion with an average time of 3.064 seconds. His best run of 3.057 seconds and worst of 3.072 seconds demonstrated unmatched consistency, earning him the “Fastest in Grand Finals” trophy. His victory was a testament to his car’s design and his racing acumen.

2nd Kiyaan T. (AOL) finished a mere 0.01 seconds behind with a 3.074-second average, securing second place. His best time of 3.062 seconds was blistering, but a slightly slower worst time of 3.093 seconds kept him just shy of the top spot.

3rd Kilian C. (Webelos) rounded out the top three with an average of 3.086 seconds, showcasing the depth of talent in the Webelos den.

Notables: Brooke B. (AOL) finished fourth at 3.09 seconds, narrowly missing the podium despite her den win, while Wesley L. (Bear) rounded out the top five at 3.125 seconds with Poison. The Grand Finals showcased the pack’s elite, with times so close that every tweak to a car’s aerodynamics or weight mattered.

Adult Divisions: Outlaw and SuperPower Unleashed

Outlaw Division

The adult Outlaw division saw Billy Land’s Proto X2 dominate with a 2.952-second average and 2.943 fast lap—faster than any youth competitor. With a time difference of just 0.0138 seconds across his four heats, his car proved to be the most consistent performer in the entire event. William Kind took second at 3.053 seconds, and Scott Reed’s Slick earned third with 3.065 seconds, proving adults brought serious speed to the track.

SuperPower Division

The SuperPower class, featuring electric duct-fan cars, redefined “fast.” Unlike the other divisions, the winner was crowned by the overall fastest run. Karl Jarvis obliterated the field with a lightning-fast run of 1.635 seconds, which equates to a scale speed of 438 mph! Scott Reed’s BuzzSaw came in with a respectable best run of 2.106 seconds, followed by newcomer Veronica Ruppart with a fast lap of 2.152. Scott Friedman’s Wart Hog completed the group with an impressive 2.741-second run, capping off a division that left spectators in awe.

Inaugural Drag Race Competition: A New Frontier

For the first time, the Alamo Area Council introduced a double-elimination drag race, where the top racer from each den advanced to a champions bracket. Unlike the traditional timed races, this event tested both car speed and driver reflexes, with competitors releasing their cars as the drag tree lights turned green. The head-to-head format delivered nail-biting action.

1st Liam W. (Wolf) emerged as the drag race champion, finishing with a 5-1 record. His path included a dramatic grand final against Ray S., losing the first match but rebounding to win the second, securing the title in a double-elimination clincher.

2nd Ray S. (Tiger) took second with a 3-2 record, pushing Whittington to the brink with a grand final win before falling in the decisive rematch.

3rd William J. (AOL) finished third with a 3-2 record, showcasing resilience with wins over Parker R. and Marshall D.

The bracket saw intense battles: Parker R. (Bear) went 3-2, including back-to-back elimination wins, while Marshall D. (Lion) posted a 2-2 record with a key upset over William J. Liam W.’s 5-1 run, capped by his grand final redemption, marked him as a standout in this new format.

Conclusion

The pinewood derby was a resounding success, filled with excitement, close finishes, and impressive displays of speed and craftsmanship. Patrick’s Grand Finals victory crowned him the 2025 Alamo Area Champion, while Liam’s drag race heroics added a new chapter to the event’s legacy. From the SuperPower division’s blazing speeds to the den races’ tight finishes, every heat told a story of dedication and competition. The inaugural drag race, with its focus on reaction time and head-to-head drama, was a resounding success, promising to become a staple in future derbies. As Scouts and families celebrated, the true win was the shared joy of building and racing—proof that the Pinewood Derby remains a timeless tradition of fun and fellowship.

 

To see more race day photos visit the Alamo Area Council’s Flickr Page