Passers-by may have noticed more than the usual number of cars in the Diehl Automotive lot Sunday afternoon.

The venue played host to this year’s Pinewood Derby for the Glacier Ridge Service Area scouts.

According to Kelly Weston, Cubmaster of Pack 53 of Nixon Methodist Church in Penn Township and a member of the derby committee, 66 Cub Scouts brought their homemade wooden cars, crafted to a range of specifications.

“We don’t have a lot of opportunities to get together as a big group,” Weston said. “It’s just a nice way to see everybody.”

Weston said the derby committee was able to keep improving the event.

“I think (this year’s competition) has been one of the smoothest running,” Weston said. “That definitely makes it more enjoyable for the families.”

Arrow of Light competitor Nick Porter of Pack 457, English Lutheran Church, Zelienople, won his Arrow of Light division before he became the grand champion with his car that he painted with a Clone Trooper design from Star Wars.

“It’s my favorite movie series,” he said.

Nick said he spent three days designing and building his car. He said he felt confident heading into the race because he also took first in his pack’s competition.

Nick and other scouts needed to build their cars with strict guidelines in mind. The car could weigh no more than five ounces, measure no wider than 2¾ inches and be no longer than 7 inches. It also had to have a certain wheel diameter. Also, no starting devices or propellants are allowed.

“Nothing to help propel it faster,” Greg Pistner, the council’s district executive, said. “They run based on gravity.”

Pistner said the scouts took these rules to heart and embraced the fun atmosphere of the competition.

“Most of the time it is rather light-hearted,” Pistner said. “This also gives them a chance to understand some sportsmanship.”

Weston said she felt the show of sportsmanship stood as a testament to a scout’s willingness to be respectful at all times.

“I would say our sportsmanship has been very good,” Weston said. “I really appreciate seeing the boys shake hands.”

As for Nick Porter, he couldn’t help but smile as he received his award and applause from those in attendance. He said the win felt especially good because this is his final year before he transitions to Boy Scouts, and he already has a special place at home for his trophies and latest car.

“I’ll probably put it in the display with all the other ones,” he said.

Nick’s father, Scott Porter, helped his son with the car. Scott Porter said they would have been interested in continuing to a larger competition if it had been available.

Currently, the Moraine Trails Council completes competition for its Pinewood Derby at the service area level.

Pistner said expanding the derby to a final councilwide competition is something the council may consider in the future, but it would need further deliberation.

“We have it so we’re moving really smooth here, but there were 66 boys,” Pistner said. “When you’re talking districtwide, you’re talking close to 160 boys.”

Pistner said there are a lot of things to think about in terms of doing a larger event, especially combining rules. He said as of now each of the three service areas use different rules for judging cars, and unified rules would need to be determined.

Pistner said the larger event will not be possible for next year.

“As of right now, I’ve had several leaders who are a little hesitant on the notion of going districtwide only because of the logistics,” He said. “So, that is something we have to look at in the future, not necessarily for next year, but maybe a year or two down the road.”

Weston said the districtwide derby may be years away, but the planning committee is considering the possibility. She said the committee is supposed to meet next in June to start planning next year’s event.