SANDY — The world's longest pinewood derby will be unveiled and raced this Saturday at Rio Tinto Stadium.
In celebration of the Boy Scouts of America's centennial anniversary, the Scouts' Utah National Parks Council has organized pinewood derby on a track that will exceed 300 feet and the current world record.
The usual pinewood derby track is less than 40 feet long.
Cub Scouts have been making their cars from kits and racing them since 1953, and the races have become the group's signature event each year.
From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Aug. 28, the public can watch the racing. Admission is free. Those with regulation derby cars can sign up to race at the stadium, 9256 S. State St., for $15.
"The track has six lanes. It is made of aluminum and has been cut into 38-inch sections. Each section weighs over 300 pounds," said Terry Richardson, finance director for the National Parks Council, which includes Scouts in Utah from Utah County southward. "We have talked to many people who are walking in (to race). We are hoping for 500-plus."
Richardson isn't sure of the track's height, but its starting point is on the south end of the stadium at the concourse level.
Real Salt Lake has confirmed with the Guinness Book of World Records that this track will indeed set the all-time record.
The current record was set in August 2008 in northern Illinois, with a 263-foot-long, 2¼-inch-wide track.
However, since rumors of another Boy Scout Council supposedly constructing a 304-foot-long track, for use next month, Richardson said the Utah version will definitely exceed that length, just in case.
"We will announce on Saturday the actual length, but it will beat 304 feet," he said.
However, unlike in ordinary pine?wood derby races, there will be no first-, second- or third-place winners announced in the racing Saturday.
Richardson said the ultimate winners will be everyone there who helps set the Guinness world record.
Still, those who race their cars will be able to learn their time and how fast their car ran.
The $15 cost to run a car on the giant track will include a ticket to a Real soccer game and a commemorative patch.
Registration details and pinewood derby rules for cars can be found on the National Parks Council's website, www.utahscouts.org.
Taber Extrusions, based in Arkansas, made the track. It was designed and engineered by Tom Dickson from Blendtec, famous for his "Will It Blend?" infomercials.
Rio Tinto is also a major sponsor of the event.
CityDeals is another sponsor. It will donate $5 certificates to attendees and also will give the Boy Scouts an amount equal to 5 percent of all sales from marketing.citydeals.com/partners/deals.php?ref=bsa.
e-mail: lynn@desnews.com