Little car wins Winfield scout a giant trophy

WINFIELD — Winfield-Mt. Union first-grader William Cook brought home first place from the Mississippi Valley Council Shoquoquon District pinewood derby last Saturday.

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Cook’s competition for the day included scouts from all over the Shoquoquon District which serves Des Moines, Henry, Louisa, and parts of Washington counties in Iowa and Henderson County in Illinois. These racers represented the top three from each pack in the district and some last-minute additions that qualified in a preliminary race just before go-time.

Racers like Cook bring handmade derby cars which meet some very specific guidelines for the event. These derby cars, made from official pinewood blocks are painted, shaved, and shaped in a variety of ways, but none may measure over 7 inches long or 2 ¾ inches wide. They also must weigh in at 5 ounces or less to qualify for the race. An inspection committee ensures these requires and many others are maintained before the race even kicks off.

After taking home first place in Winfield/Morning Sun Scout Pack 21’s pinewood derby with his sleek green derby car last month, Cook proceeded to compete at the Shoquoquon District Pinewood Derby in Sperry last Saturday, April 27. After receiving approval from the Inspection committee, he was off, and once again, Cook’s carefully crafted pinewood derby car sailed into first place, this time beating 21 others in the district.

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Cook celebrated the win with his dad Ryan Cook and scout leader Matt Shaw, then triumphantly returned home with his mean-green-pinewood-derby-winning machine and a trophy significantly longer than 7 inches. In fact, he returned the district champion with a trophy taller than himself.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com