Wooden-car derby is a vehicle to give creative minds an outlet

The cars that will zoom down the racetrack at this wooden-car rally aren’t like anything you’ll see at the local Cub Scout pack’s Pinewood Derby.

After all, when the majority of contestants are professional graphic designers, photographers and other creative types, their cars will likely be outside-the-box concepts.

“For the people who participate, it’s an opportunity to do something different and have a creative outlet,” said Gust Smith, a member of the Columbus Society of Communicating Arts, which hosts the annual summer derby.

“People like to see what the designers create.”

That means cars inspired by the “Mad Max” films and Airstream trailers.

CSCA, a nonprofit organization, strives to foster relationships among creative

professionals in central Ohio. The 47-year-old entity hosts monthly lectures with internationally recognized leaders in design and marketing communications.

The wooden-car derby, which is scheduled for Thursday at the Columbus Idea Foundry, represents a morelighthearted, family-oriented event for both their members and the public, said Cory Oakley, who, along with Kate Collins, is co-president of the group this year.

Each year, the event draws about 30 contestants and 80 guests. In addition to the racing cars, the event will include a food truck, a trailmix bar and beer donated by sponsor Land-Grant Brewing Company.

“It’s just been a fun tradition that we’ve had for a while,” said Oakley, 29, of Clintonville. “It’s a good way for us to get together and be kids again.”

CSCA members Jeremy Slagle and Dylan Menges created the first derby in 2001 to raise money for the organization’s student-scholarship fund. After its second year in 2002, the fundraiser went on hiatus until 2008 and has taken place every year since.

For $30, anyone of any age can register for the races, which are structured similarly to the Cub Scouts’ Pinewood Derby and use standard-issue Boy Scouts of America build kits. Many of the adult contestants collaborate on their builds with their children.

Besides the weight maximum of 5 ounces, contestants are limited only by their creativity.

“I always try to do something different,” said Elliott Cennamo, 29, who first participated in 2011.

This year, Cennamo, a motion graphics designer living in Victorian Village, is building a fire truck outfitted with blinking lights.

Before the race beings around 7:30 p.m., guests can vote on the cars with the best design and the most creativity. Last year’s winner in the second category was a play on Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots featuring Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump.

The two fastest cars receive additional awards.

“There’s so much creative talent in Columbus,” Cennamo said. “People just have these really wacky ideas, and there are artists in town who do really beautiful work.”