Competitors prepare for Nevada Day derby

With only two weekends left before the annual Nevada Day Pinewood Derby, excitement is building among race enthusiasts young and old.

"Anyone who wants to participate in the derby can buy a kit here at the store," said Bobby Bean, Pinewood Derby Coordinator for Nevada Day who set up a work station in front of his American Family Insurance office on U.S. 50 East.

Car kits, which include a chunk of pine, four wheels and pins, cost only $4, he said, and can be cut and designed into any shape the owner deems good for speed, Bean said.

A track was set up in front of his office Saturday along with a saw where prospective car owners could get their car cut into their desired shapes.

Several boys and dads tested their cars on the track to check their times in anticipation of the big race in the Carson Mall on Nevada Day.

Two age brackets make up the classes on race day - ages 6-16 are in one class, while 17 and older are in the geezer class, Bean said.

"A man showed up to race last year who didn't have any kids. He just remembered building a car when he was a kid and he wanted to be a part of everything," Bean said.

The event includes an aluminum four-lane race track with an electronic timer. Each car runs in four heats, one in each lane, and the winner is the one with the best accumulated score, he said.

Boy Scout Sean Clapperton, 11, said he will be "racing a couple of his old cars" in the derby, as well as helping out with the race.

Alex Reece, 14, said he also planned to participate in the parade, as well as race in the derby.

Both boys tested their cars Saturday on the four-lane track and checked out some of the other cars set up on a table to inspire new car builders.

Scott Clapperton, who was at the shop Saturday with his son, said Cub Scout troops hold their own derbys sometime during the first part of each year.

"The excitement at those is off the charts," Clapperton said.

Bean said there are generally anywhere from 80 to 100 participants in the Nevada Day Pinewood Derby each year, and racers can be men, women and children.

"We challenge the girls to come and beat the boys," he said. "We just had a Girl Scout troop from Dayton that bought 20 cars. We expect about half of them to show up for the race."

All cars must weigh 5 ounces. Flat weights on the cars' under-carriages are added to bring each car up to the proper specifications, but instructions are provided with each kit.

Racers can take their cars to Les Schwab Tires' pit crew at any Carson City location for a "car spec check."