Scout back-to-back World Pinewood Derby champion
For the second year in a row, Cub Scout JJ Habres of Gilbertsville has won the Pinewood Derby World Championships.
Eight-year-old JJ competed again this year in his local Den and Pack Pinewood Derby, as well as the District Pinewood Derby, winning those events and qualifying him for the annual World Pinewood Derby Championship held on Saturday, June 24, in New York City’s Times Square. This is his second year involved in the competition.
Joe Brewster, JJ’s grandfather, said that due to heavy rains and high winds, the event was forced indoors to the Marriott Marquis hotel, which the race organizers had secured as a back-up venue in the event of inclement weather. He said the efforts and planning by the host, the Greater New York BSA council, was amazing.
“After winning the event last year as a Tiger Cub, JJ was looking forward to returning to Times Square and competing this year as a Wolf Cub. With hundreds of Scouts coming from across the country to attend the event, the competition is friendly, but fierce,” said Brewster.
He said despite the dark and
dreary weather, the Scouts gathered inside and filled the venue with excitement.
“The festive atmosphere at this years event is something JJ will never forget,” said Brewster. He referenced laughter, singing and dancing.
JJ’s first run was a high 2.96. They weren’t sure how that score would fall with more competitors to come.
During JJ’s first run his car ran a high 2.96, which is pretty fast, but with a lot of competitors to come we weren’t sure it would be fast enough.
“His next couple of runs were in the 2.97’s, but came with trouble on the stop section of the track where his car was getting bounced around pretty hard, ultimately landing on its roof and side. We hoped for the best, but also know just how delicate and fragile these little cars can be. We watched with apprehension as his next few runs got progressively slower and slower and knew the car was hurt. We only hoped it would stay together long enough to finish his heats.”
The car did stay together and kept enough speed to gain another first place trophy. According to Brewster, JJ is also the only Scout in the event’s history to ever win back-to-back World Champion titles.
“JJ is already talking about going back next year as a Bear Cub if he qualifies, he said he has a few new ideas he wants to try out. Stay tuned.”
According to Joe Brewster, JJ’s grandfather, JJ is also the only Scout in the event’s history to ever win back-to-back World Champion titles