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Pinewood Derby gives cub scouts valuable building experience
Scouts Thomas Wait, left, and Trent Collins watch closely as their cars race down the track during Cub Scout Pack 62Õs Pinewood Derby on Saturday, Feb. 16, 2013, at Pea Ridge United Methodist Church.
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HUNTINGTON -- It was the wee hours of Saturday morning and Dr. Vivek Neginhal couldn't sleep -- not because he didn't want to, but because of the importance of the coming afternoon's events.
Neginhal worked what "felt like forever," he said, alongside his 9-year-old son, Ajay, putting the finishing touches on his third pinewood derby car in as many years in preparation for Saturday's Pinewood Derby for Cub Scout Pack 62. The contest took place at Pea Ridge United Methodist Church.
"We spent six to seven hours on Sunday, four to five hours on Monday, every night working on making that car," Neginhal said. "My son has been polishing it and putting graphite powder on it for the past two days."
Neginhal had not one but two pinewood derby cars to prepare with sons Ajay and Sunjit, 10. Ajay's car, dubbed Dragon Rocket, featured a dragon emblem and a rocket-shaped body.
"This is a great experience for kids. It helps them learn about mechanics and patience. It's a good way to get them to focus," Neginhal said.
More than 30 scouts and their fathers, mothers and siblings at Saturday's event would likely have echoed similar sentiments.
"Every boy likes fast cars," said Cubmaster Todd Bacon. "And, this is a great parent-child activity to do."
Bacon said Saturday's event would feature a series of heats pitting Cub Scout against Cub Scout in first through fourth grades. Each den would boast a first-, second- and third-place winner with one lucky participant taking home the title of grand champion. Trophies were also awarded in categories such as "most creative."
"Nowadays you have these video games and the screen changes every three seconds. That's the fake world. This is the real world," Neginhal said. "We need things like this to help them slow down and enjoy life."
Follow H-D reporter Beth Hendricks on Facebook or Twitter @BethHendricksHD.
The following were winners in designated categories at the Pinewood Derby event Saturday. Results were provided by Cubmaster Todd Bacon.
Tiger Cubs (first grade)
1st -- Thomas Wait
2nd -- Ty Sovine
3rd -- Trent Collins
Wolves (second grade)
1st -- Will Thompson
2nd -- Chase Swearingen
3rd -- Hunter Arthur
Bears (third grade)
1st -- James Michael Estep
2nd -- Ajay Neginhal
3rd -- Josh Workman
Webelos (fourth grade)
1st -- Owen Smith
2nd -- Sunjit Neginhal
3rd -- Peyton Levi
Siblings
1st -- Kethan Neginhal
2nd -- Jed Estep
3rd -- Joey Bacon
Overall Championship
1st -- James Michael Estep
2nd -- Owen Smith
3rd -- Will Thompson
Other awards
Most Creative -- Jacob Johnson
Best Design -- Brayden Pullen
Best Workmanship -- Carter Bacon
Best Paint Job -- Owen Smith
Most Realistic -- Benjamin Woodard
Most Futuristic -- Hunter Arthur
Fastest Looking -- Peyton Levi
Most Aerodynamic -- Sunjit Neginhal
Funniest -- Ben Parker
Most Unusual Shape -- Trent Collins
Best Fuel Economy -- Caden Stephens
