Scouts compete in District Pinewood Derby

RUMFORD -- Fourth grader Isaac Dupuis, a Pack 580 Cub Scout, carefully placed his Monster brand Pinewood Derby car in lane two of the four-lane track.

Together with his dad, Andrew Dupuis, he said he spent about four weeks working on his car. A veteran of these races three years running, the 10 year old had this advice -- "I learned to make my car flatter so the air goes over it instead of against it."

On Saturday, Cub Scouts from all over Oxford County came to Puiia Gymnasium at Mountain Valley High School as Cub Scout Pack 580 hosted the annual Abnaki District Pinewood Derby.

Troop 580 Cubmaster Jennie Nisbet, who also announced the racers, said there were scouts from 20 different troops, with 79 racers. Each scout competed in four races, using each of the four lanes to alleviate concerns that one lane might be faster than another.

From lane two, Isaac's Monster brand car placed third, but he was not disappointed. "This (event) is great!"

Nisbet noted, "This is the first time the Rumford scouts have hosted a district event and we didn't hold back. There was a lot of family fun in addition to the exciting competition. There was delicious food, a bake sale, face painting, craft tables, and a 60-foot mobile patch collection on display.

Pinewood Derby Photo:

Isaac Dupuis is pictured with his Monster brand Pinewood Derby car, which required about four weeks of work to create. (Times photo by Bruce Farrin)

Pinewood Derby Photo:

These were some of the cars at Saturday's annual Abnaki District Pinewood Derby. There were 79 Cub Scouts competing from 20 different area troops. (Times photo by Bruce Farrin)

Pinewood Derby Photo:

Most of the races were very close, but the results were accurately timed thanks to an electronic track. (Times photo by Bruce Farrin)