By Alison Minard 
 Correspondent 
  It all starts with a block of wood. 
  In the world of Cub Scouting, the Pinewood Derby Race is to Scouting what the Daytona 500 is to NASCAR. 
  Fathers and sons worked side by side Saturday as Cub Scout Pack 77 held its first Pinewood Derby Race in the gymnasium of Liberty Christian Academy in Hope Mills. 
  Since 1953, Cub Scouts have been racing miniature cars carved out of soft pinewood. Each child is given a kit containing a block of wood, metal axles and four plastic wheels. With the help of a parent or other relative, Scouts build and decorate their own racing cars to compete against other Scouts in speed and design. 
  “There is no big prize, just a small trophy or ribbon,” said Darlene Norman, Tiger Den leader. “The object of the race is to ‘Do Your Best,’ which is our Cub Scout motto. 
  The race gives fathers and sons an opportunity to work on a project together and to do some male bonding,” she said. 
  While fathers used scroll saws to cut out a design, some Scouts had their first experience using wood rasps, sanders, electric drills and spray paint. Fathers and sons then had to figure out how to maximize momentum and minimize friction to create a fast racing car. 
  “The race is exciting,” said Heesoo Yang, 10. “I got to use spray paint for the first time,” he said. 
  Heesoo’s parents said their son came up with the design idea for his car by watching a movie. 
  “We didn’t have tools, so we had to borrow tools to make the car,” said Heesoo’s father, Jeongmo Yang. 
  “I’m going to make a bigger car next year,” said Heesoo. 
  Jacob Taylor, 7, learned how to use a sander when he built his car with his dad, Jason Taylor. 
  “The wheel broke off during the race, but we got it fixed,” Jacob said. 
  “It’s like in NASCAR,” his dad said. “It’s most exciting when a wheel flies off.” 
  Both father and son enjoyed an exciting day of racing together. The experience was particularly significant since the elder Taylor, previously a Cub Scout himself, leaves soon to begin military training at Fort Benning, Ga. 
  Two cars sat at the top of a 30-foot, sloped track, also made of wood. They were ready to go. No. 99 was painted blue with gold stripes, front to back — the official Cub Scout colors. 
  Blue stands for truth and gold stands for good cheer. A skull and checkered flag decorated the hood. Its opponent was a black car with yellow fire decals on the side, sleek and trim. 
  Scouts, dressed in colorful blue uniforms covered in badges, wearing neckerchiefs, watched and cheered wildly as the cars zoomed down the track, powered by gravity, toward the finish line. 
  The crowd let out a yell as the black car took the race. 
  Each race takes a matter of seconds, and then the next two cars take their place at the starting line until the fastest car has been revealed. 
  Winners are judged on speed, originality and design. 
  Categories for best design are Best Looking Car, Most Original and Most Patriotic. 
  Judges for the event were Bill Washo, Kevin Wolfe, John Hodges and Ken Bucky. 
  “We look for quality of design and the overall look, or how the car is painted or put together,” said Hodges, Hope Mills police chief.One year ago, Cub Scout Pack 77 didn’t exist. “We didn’t have a pack in the Rockfish area of Hope Mills,” said Rene Hinkel, a teacher at Liberty Christian School. “My husband, Bryan Hinkel, pack chaplain, and I, started this one up for our son, David. We signed up five Scouts in May 2008, chartered by Stoney Point Baptist Church, and we now have 31,” she said. 
  One unique feature of Pack 77 includes a younger version of Cub Scouts called Scout Buddies, made up of male and female siblings, who are not yet old enough to become Cub Scouts. Cub Scouts range in age from the first to fifth grade and include the divisions of Tiger Cubs, Wolf Scouts, Bear Scouts and Webelos. 
  Younger siblings in Scout Buddies are allowed to participate in the Pinewood Derby Race, along with the Cub Scouts. 
  The youngest Scout Buddy to participate in Saturday’s race was 3-year-old Julia Norman, who won third place for Most Original with her pink Barbie Doll Tank. Her brother, Maxx, 6, is the youngest Cub Scout of the pack . Maxx’s camouflage tank design won first place for Most Patriotic. Julia and Maxx also have an older brother in the Boy Scouts, Keifer, 14, who served refreshments at Saturday’s race.