MONROE - Cub Scouts are making tracks to finish their pinewood derby cars before the big race Saturday at St. Victor School on 20th Avenue.
Last week, several members of Den 5, Pack 101, gathered to discuss their 2010 cars and some secrets for winning.
Third-graders Grant Gogin, 9; Jack Rogerson, 9; and Gabe Moon, 8, will be participating in their third race, and all have been winners.
Gogin believes the shape and sanding helps the way the car runs down the track.
"You want one smooth (design flow), so the wind can go fast over it," he said.
Gogin's car won first place for design in a local competition last year, and he took second runner-up at the regional in Pecatonica.
Regardless of the design, no car may weigh over five ounces or extend over seven inches.
Powered by gravity, cars weighing less that five ounces are at a disadvantage on the downhill regulation track. Gogin explained weights should be placed on the car as far back as possible.
"You want to put the weighs in the bottom and hide them," he said.
Rogerson has also won best design, but he placed emphasis on polishing the axles and sanding the wheels smooth for speed. He went to regional last year also, but didn't place.
"Awww, I was so close at Pecatonica," he said, lamenting the fact.
Moon thinks his design, with a tail fin to direct the air flow, will take first or second place this year.
"It swoops the wind, so it'll slow down at the end," he said.
First-time racer Jacob Setterstrom, 8, took some advice from his more experienced den brothers.
"Do what you want to with the car; paint it if you want. Just do your best," he said.
He's painting his car black and red, just because he likes the two colors.
An annual event in most packs, the pinewood derby provides craft skills, rules of fair play and good sportsmanship, and is an optional activity for Cub Scouts and their families.
Twenty-eight members of Pack 101, from Northside and St. Victor schools will be competing at the derby Saturday.
After Saturday, cars winning first and second place will be boxed up until they are released for the races at Pecatonica. Winners from Pecatonica will be eligible for the state competition.
Last week, several members of Den 5, Pack 101, gathered to discuss their 2010 cars and some secrets for winning.
Third-graders Grant Gogin, 9; Jack Rogerson, 9; and Gabe Moon, 8, will be participating in their third race, and all have been winners.
Gogin believes the shape and sanding helps the way the car runs down the track.
"You want one smooth (design flow), so the wind can go fast over it," he said.
Gogin's car won first place for design in a local competition last year, and he took second runner-up at the regional in Pecatonica.
Regardless of the design, no car may weigh over five ounces or extend over seven inches.
Powered by gravity, cars weighing less that five ounces are at a disadvantage on the downhill regulation track. Gogin explained weights should be placed on the car as far back as possible.
"You want to put the weighs in the bottom and hide them," he said.
Rogerson has also won best design, but he placed emphasis on polishing the axles and sanding the wheels smooth for speed. He went to regional last year also, but didn't place.
"Awww, I was so close at Pecatonica," he said, lamenting the fact.
Moon thinks his design, with a tail fin to direct the air flow, will take first or second place this year.
"It swoops the wind, so it'll slow down at the end," he said.
First-time racer Jacob Setterstrom, 8, took some advice from his more experienced den brothers.
"Do what you want to with the car; paint it if you want. Just do your best," he said.
He's painting his car black and red, just because he likes the two colors.
An annual event in most packs, the pinewood derby provides craft skills, rules of fair play and good sportsmanship, and is an optional activity for Cub Scouts and their families.
Twenty-eight members of Pack 101, from Northside and St. Victor schools will be competing at the derby Saturday.
After Saturday, cars winning first and second place will be boxed up until they are released for the races at Pecatonica. Winners from Pecatonica will be eligible for the state competition.