Some were first-time participants at the Cub Scout's annual Pinewood Derby, while others were seasoned veterans, applying advanced design techniques to the small, wooden cars, hoping this might be their lucky year.

But whatever their standing at the end of the night, Cub Scouts of all ages lit up Incline Middle School Friday evening with excitement usually reserved for an outing to a real race track.

"I already won first place," 6-year-old Daniel Luksch said after the first round of races. The first-time car racer wiggled and jumped as he watched his fellow Cub Scouts take turns racing their cars.

Seven-year-old Thomas Barton, who fidgeted with his multi-colored car with a LEGO man glued to the driver's seat, couldn't remember how he crafted the vehicle.

"I think he's nervous," said Nancy Barton, Thomas' mother. "It's his first time."

After a short break in the action - when event organizers had to take care of a track malfunction - more Cub Scouts lined up for their turns.

"Nicholas Iida, Ethan Jones, Nick Simmons, on deck," Cubmaster Mel Iida shouted above the din of excited chatter and last minute strategizing. Iida manned a computer that projected results of each race onto a screen.

Eleven-year-old Jacob Shapiro, a three-time Pinewood Derby participant, sat at a lunch table waiting his turn.

"I used a power saw and then I sanded it," Shapiro said, explaining how he crafted his car this year. "And then I carved the numbers into the side with a woodburning kit."

Shapiro also added a weight to the blue car, which was decorated with a red flame. Before approaching the starting line, Shapiro's father took the car to add a Teflon coating "to make the wheels spin faster," Shapiro said.

As heats of three cars zipped down the aluminum track, groups of scouts shouted encouragement and "ooh-ed" and "ahh-ed" at the fastest cars.

"It's a lot of fun," Iida said during a short break in the action. "The kids have a great time at it. They do put a lot of time and effort into it, that's why we give them a lot of chances to run."

Incline firefighters and Incline Village General Improvement District General Manager Bill Horn served as starters and finish line judges for what Iida said is one of Cub Scout Pack 37's biggest events of the year.

"It's a great chance for the boys and their parents to work on a project together and see some tangible results," Iida said.



Box

Pinewood Derby results

First place: Scott Jones, Tiger Cub

Second place: Michael Guymon, Tiger Cub

Third place: Sam Lant, Bear Scout

Most Unique Design: Nick Simmons, Webelos Scout I

Best of Show (Best Workmanship): Nick Iida, Webelos Scout II