Scouts compete for top speed, style at Pinewood Derby in Woodfield Mall

The sound of cheering Cub Scouts could be heard coming from the Grand Court at Woodfield Mall on Sunday, as dozens of youngsters watched their decorated wooden cars race down a track in the annual Pinewood Derby.

More than 175 boys raced cars in the event sponsored by the Signal Hill District of the Boy Scouts of America at Schaumburg shopping center. The district represents scouts in several Northwest suburbs, including the Barrington area, Hoffman Estates, Lake Zurich, Palatine, Rolling Meadows, Kildeer and Long Grove.

"Pinewood Derby is a signature item of the Cub Scouts and to be able to have it in a very public place gives us a lot of exposure," said derby Chairman Michael Gutschick. "It's exciting as heck for these kids. They're thrilled to be here and the parents are thrilled to be here. It's a fun thing for them to do."

Starting with only a 5-ounce block of pinewood and four nails, scouts design, build and decorate their gravity-propelled cars before racing them down slope against their peers. This year also featured on a race for children from Indian Princesses and Indian Guides.

"We figured out that the Batmobile is the fastest," Manny Demeur, 6, of Cub Scout Pack 348 in Palatine said before racing his car designed like the Batmobile. "I'm excited about if I win or not. I want the really big trophy."