Plywood cars raced down a hill at Hat Rock State Park Saturday, during the fifth annual “Cubmobile Races.”

Twenty Cub Scouts from Hermiston-based Pack 687 raced down the hill in cars of variety designs, from an Army hummer to a Jeep.

“They race two-at-a-time, but with no score being kept, it’s just about having fun,” said Hilda Blaine, Cub Scout Pack 687 committee chairperson.

It was indeed fun the Scouts with many of the boys looking forward to racing down the hill for the first time.

“I’ve never raced a ‘Cubmobile’ before in my life, so I’m looking forward to it,” Chance Longhorn said. “I’m hoping to catch some air going over the speed bump.”

Kyle Ketcherfid meanwhile, was dressed appropriately for the day, wearing his four-wheeler helmet as his safety gear.

“I chose it because it looked cool,” he said.

Some scouts were a little nervous, though, trying to keep their cars straight.

“At first it was kind of scary, then after I got half-way down, I got the hang of it,” said scout Noah Roberts.

Fellow scout Austin Jones said he just had fun trying to steer his plywood mobile in a straight line.

Steering straight proved difficult for some of the future race car drivers, like Kevin Bethel, who crashed his car into a tire lining the course near his mother, Colleen Bethel.

Neither were hurt and both got a laugh out of the incident.

“He joined the pack this year and was really looking foward to the races,” Colleen Bethel said. “He had his helmet ready this morning and was reminding us about it all week.”

Bethel said the activity is a great thing for the boys.

“It keeps them out of trouble, and I’ve always said an active kid is least likely to get into mischief,” she said.

Hermiston resident Melissa Doherty agreed, adding her son Gavin, a Tiger Scout this year, has been looking forward to joining Cub Scouts since he was 3 years old.

“It’s a monumental moment for him. He’s been reading his book and just wants to learn,” she said.