Sandy Cub Scout’s “Weeny 1000” Places 2nd in Controversial Race

Sandy, Utah.  When Cub Scout Troop 3889 held their bi-annual Space Derby on Thursday night, there was the usual display of pre-race jitters, friendly competition, camaraderie, and of course finely designed and hand-crafted rockets. But it wasn't until the race was over that the competition started to blast off.Heavily favored Ben Johnson's bright orange "Fire Blaster" repeated as champion, with newcomer Isaac Lindsay's "Weeny 1000" taking 2nd place in a controversial finish. Friends family, and other supporters of the hot-dog shaped runner-up rocketship claim that a good-old boy network, an unexpected change of race format, and other corruption doomed its victory.

Heidi Lindsay, Isaac's mother, said she would relish her son's trophy, but hoped he wouldn't be labeled a loser by only finishing second. Eight-year-old Isaac was unavailable for comment after the race, as he was busy playing tag and eating a popsicle.

Isaac's father, Dave Lindsay, spent weeks researching and perfecting the Weeny's aerodynamic design. He said that although his son spent about 30 seconds coming up with the idea for the

 rocket, it took months to prepare to challenge the "Fire Blaster" for the title.

"The Weeny should have wasted the Blaster," Lindsay said. "I just think the whole thing is fixed. There are just too many coincidences going on around here."

Lindsay and other losers said they will seek an appeal of the official race results, and possibly seek governmental intervention. "As soon as Obama is done fixing the BCS (College Football's Bowl Championship Series), were going to push Congress to look into the Space Derby."

Brent Moulding, Utah chapter president of the Citizens Union for Supporting Space Derbies (CUSSD), agreed. "Cub Scout competitions are just too big too fail, and I'm going to need about a billion dollars by next Wednesday or you can say bye-bye to the Space and the Pinewood Derbies."

Troop 3889 Cubmaster Erik Daulsen, who also works as an attorney in the Sandy area, said the race was conducted and judged fairly and Lindsay's claims are unfounded.  "The Fire Blaster was just too good. It has a better design and Ben just has more experience."

"I don't know how the BSA ever approved letting a lawyer run this thing.  He knows all the legal tricks and loopholes and stuff to keep the underdogs from winning. Why don't they let a plumber or a shoe salesman be in charge?" questioned Lindsay.

Webelos assistant den leader John Naylor was the only judge for the competition and also provided the track for the event, which he built by hand several years ago.  Tyler Sanderson, who's son Clayton is also new to the troop, was disappointed that his boy's "Dragon Slayer" did not place in the top three. He said it seems odd that the judge of the event just happens to live across the street from Ben Johnson, the eventual winner. "I swear I saw Ben's mom taking cookies over to the Naylor's house the day before the race."

Naylor acknowledged receiving and eating most of the double-fudge chocolate chip cookies, but insists they were for his wife, who he said is recovering from a hang-gliding accident.

Another unexped twist to the competition occurred just before blast off as the format of the race was changed from the usual speed and distance heats, to a series of 5 heats based on precision placement of the rocket ship. Race officials said the new format makes aerodynamics and speed less of a factor and operator skill more important. In other words, it levels the playing field for all participants.

Lindsay and other parents were upset by the change because they spent considerable time preparing ships designed for speed.  "I sanded that thing for hours, put WD-40 on that little gold thing, got some tips from the NASA website, and even rigged up my cordless drill as a power winder."

He was also upset that just before the competition began, race officials eliminated the award for creativity.  "Everybody loves hot dogs - I mean sure, we don't know what's in them, but they're as American as apple pie. And everybody here loved the Weenie 1000. Except for those crooked judges who don't want us newcomers winning their events," he said frankly.

Other parents disagreed saying they felt the "Weeny 1000" design, shape and name were inappropriate for young children.