Full speed ahead for Pinewood Derby

It was full speed ahead for almost 150 Cub Scouts from across the region for the annual Pinewood Derby at the weekend.

The event sees young people across the world provided with the same block of wood and set of wheels to turn into their own unpowered, miniature cars.

With the first derby held in California in 1953, the event took off in the region this year growing to 131 entries compared to last years 70.

Run by the Stoke Cubs group, the race outgrew their hall, so Nayland College offered the use of theirs, and boy was the space needed.

The first heats were hotly contended with just mms between the top cars.

Cubs from Stoke, Enner Glynn, Richmond, Tamaha, Riwaka and Brightwater groups packed the sidelines to watch their cars zoom down the track in sets of four – the top two through to the next round, the bottom two, in with one more chance for glory.

Defending champs Tamaha had two cars make it through to the final, against hosts Stoke who, despite running the event, have never claimed a title.

A judge’s decision wasn’t needed to determine the winner, with Tamaha Cub and Māpua resident Connor Williams claiming the glory, for the second year in a row.

While his design was different from his 2023 win, he was tight-lipped on what his secret to first place is.

While each Cub group saw their winner given a medal, there was also a prize for the best-design which went to Brightwater’s Ruby Stout.

With Murray Leaning MCing the event, at times you could’ve been mistaken for being at the Indy 500, with photo-finishes required for a number of races.