Pinewood Derby races have been a Boy Scouts of America tradition for 65 years and that custom continued this month at Three Star Mall.

“My car took me about a week or two to make,” said Steven Moore, a Cub Scout in Pack 587. “It was a week of sanding and then a few days for it to dry from the paint. I was going to buy a different kit but we couldn’t find it. It still turned out the way I wanted.”

The local Pinewood Derby competition is held at Three Star Mall and hosted by Troop 309. Moore placed first in speed for Park 587, second in speed for the Black Fox District, and third in speed for the Outlaw Class.

“We raced four races and I won in every one that I raced,” said Moore. “I was so excited.”

In the first category, Moore competed against other Cub Scouts in his troop.  The Black Fox District category is five counties, including Warren, competing.

The Outlaw Class got Moore’s wheels to spinning.

“Anything goes in the Outlaw Class,” he said. “You can put a whole bunch more weight on it, but impressively enough, I won third place with a stock car. Nothing changed.”

Racers are allowed to modify their Pinewood Derby car. A stock car is unmodified.

When asked the secret to making a car fast, Moore said placement on the track is key and spending $14 for a racing edge over the competitors.

“It has to be in a certain spot,” said Moore. “If you put it toward the back, it will do a wheelie on the way down. We bought a $14 thing to find out where the middle gravity, I think, is. This was my first year doing that.”

Cub Scouts is for children in first through fifth grades. Youth older then age 10 can join Boy Scouts.

“I love being in Cub Scouts,” said Moore. “This is my third year. I’ll have two more years of this and then I’ll become a Boy Scout and won’t get to do this anymore. The Boy Scouts set up the race for the Cub Scouts.”

Awards were given for the top three spots in speed and top three spots in design. About 50 scouts participated in this year’s event.