Derby races have a brand new benchmark thanks to the Boy Scouts of America.
For the Mid-America Council Boy Scouts Jubilee this year in Ashland, Nebraska (USA), scouts of all ages came together to reveal their long-endeavored project of building the Longest Pinewood Derby track.
The wooden track was constructed in Mahoney State Park, where the incredible structure stretched an amazing length of 1,819 ft 3.75 in.
That span of the final product was so extensive, it surpassed the height of the iconic Freedom Tower in New York City.
The pinewood derby is a racing event that has long been a tradition for Cub Scouts in the Boy Scouts of America. Often with the help of parents, Cub Scouts, build their own cars from wood, usually from kits containing a block of pine, plastic wheels, and metal axles
Suitably, the enormous display of dedication and labor in Mahoney State Park was presented on the 100th anniversary of the Boy Scout organization being local to the midland area.
Over 5,000 pre-registered children and families lined up eagerly to use the new record breaking-track.
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Although not many could ride out their derby cars to the very end of the elongated raceway, families remained overjoyed at the opportunity to ride their derby cars on such an accomplished structure.
The car provided to the Mid-America Boy Scouts to verify the attempt came from Glenn Jewkes of Jewkes Engineering. It completed the run in 1 min 16.7 sec, and weighed 137 g (4.83 oz) with the average speed of 30 mph.
The Boy Scouts of Mid-America would like to offer a special thanks to Chris Merk, North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters, Omaha Locals 427, 1306 and 1463, Shawn Ovenden, Mid America Pinewood Derby, BestTrack Pinewood Derby Tracks, Rob Barrett, GDerby Evolution, Pinewood Pro, along with everyone else who helped with their record-breaking journey.
The group felt this record was an example of "scouting at it's best" and shows the result of team work; when many take a vision, make a plan, and pursue action to execute a task.
“This is a great example of what you can accomplish as a community when you work together,” Scoutmaster Shawn Ovenden told press.
Scout leader Ovenden of Troop 558 played a critical role in the event, who engineered the logistics for the track that doubled the previous record of 712 feet.
The teamwork paid off, as official adjudicator Jimmy Coggins announced that the Boy Scouts Mid-America Council had achieved the record title, making it a successful, and memorable jubilee.