FARMINGTON -- Pinewood derbies are not just for Cub Scouts anymore.
That was one of the lessons learned during the 2012 Utah Pinewood Derby Championship, held last month at the South Towne Exposition Center in Sandy.
Another lesson learned was that the fastest pinewood derby cars come from Farmington.
The top three finishers in the Open Class, the division for racers ages 11 and older, came not only from the same city but also from the same Scout troop.
"We owe it all to Guy Garlick," said Jason Parr, the first-place finisher. "He should get all the credit."
Garlick finished second, and his son, Ethan Garlick, 13, came in third.
All three of the top finishers are, in one way or another, involved with the Boy Scouts of America Troop 1238, in the Farmington Bay District of the Great Salt Lake Council.
Parr is the assistant Scoutmaster, and Ethan is one of the Scouts. Guy Garlick has three boys involved with the troop and has become the pinewood derby-car expert in the neighborhood.
Parr, 34, was surprised by his first-place finish.
"I just really kind of got into it," he said. "My work did one awhile ago, so I studied online where to put weight and (what) the best designs (were)."
He also built a car for his wife, Andrea, to race in the event. Her car came in fourth.
Parr said Guy Garlick provided a lot of help with his designs, which is why Garlick deserves credit for the top four cars.
When the first of Guy Garlick's three sons became involved with Cub Scouts and entered his first pinewood derby, the proud father attended the race with high hopes of a good finish.
But his son finished dead last, and Garlick was more disappointed than his son.
"I felt like crap and told my wife, 'This is never happening again,' " said Guy Garlick, 41.
So he began researching different ways to build the cars and talking with other pinewood derby enthusiasts. He also helped organize a neighborhood pinewood derby last summer. The only rule was, your car could not damage the track.
"We had cars with C02 cartridges attached to them," Garlick said.
The Garlicks were not planning to enter last month's contest, but they had a change of heart the night before the race and decided to tune up cars they already had. Guy let Ethan have his choice of which one to use.
"I thought the car (that I picked) would be really good," Ethan said. "I didn't think it would finish in the top three, but I thought it would get close."
America First Credit Union, the event's sponsor, provided checks for the top three finishers. Parr won $500, Guy Garlick took home $250, and Ethan received $100.
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