Open class entrants will get Pinewood Derby race chance

A new open class of competition will be introduced Saturday when the Cub Scouts in the Chief Kamiakin District roll out their championship finals in the Eastside Market Place. The championship race will have an official sponsor this year in Gilbert Auto Ford, and part of that expansion will include new open class races with the general public invited to compete.

Two tracks, one for the Cub Scout finalists in the district championship and one for the open class, will be in operation with the races slated to start at 9:30 a.m.

An estimated 44 Cubs from packs around the district have qualified for the championship races. The top two cars from each pack event advance to the district championship race.

Entrants for the new open class can make a canned food donation in exchange for a Pinewood Derby car kit by today at Gilbert Ford. Registration deadline for the race is today, March 22.

Entries can be made from 7 to 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday morning from 7 until 9 a.m., 30 minutes before the start of the races.

The Gilbert open class will have youth and adult divisions.

Open class racers will be required to adhere to the five ounce weight limit set for Cup derby cars. The morning’s events will also include a modified class where entrants can exceed the weight limit.