Hundreds of Cub Scouts gathered together Saturday to race in the annual Five Rivers District Pinewood Derby.
The 2015 Pinewood Derby was at the Blair Oaks Middle School, a new location for the annual event.
Kenney Newville, a former district executive and derby volunteer, said the derby was open to scouts in first through fifth grade, with each boy making a unique car out of a wooden block, four nails and four wheels.
On Saturday, cars of all colors, shapes and themes were sent down the curved track with gravity being the only force used to power the tiny vehicles, some of which reached up to 207.5 miles per hour.
Unlike previous years, the entire event was in one day, with qualifying races in the morning and afternoon and championships in the evening. Newville said 250-270 Cub Scouts took part, learning how to work together and be creative.
"It provides a great opportunity for positive teamwork and cooperation," Newville said.
Newville added the district also is trying to make the annual derby more of a community event, opening it up to include booths from area organizations and having activities such as caricatures for those children attending the event, but not participating in it.
"We really want to make it fun for the whole family," Newville said.
He said the Optimist Club of Jefferson City helps each year by doing the track set up and managing the time-keeping, registration and providing general administrative and technical help.
Karter Anderson, 8, took third place Saturday afternoon in the Wolf Den and was looking forward to returning Saturday night for the championships. He and his father, Erik, spent about seven or eight nights working to build the small wooden car, with painted teeth on the front and eyes on each side.
Karter said he had never raced in the derby before, but was definitely enjoying himself after winning in the afternoon.
"I got third place," he said with a smile as he held his racecar.