Betting system for a Dadwood Derby

[Chris Nixon]

Hello pinewoodderbyonline friends! I’m new here but have really learned a lot from this forum and appreciate everyone’s passion.

I have a question that may be a bit unique. Has anyone run a “Dadwood Derby” or open event at which participants and spectators can bet on the races? I know, perhaps it strays from the values of scout pinewood derby but our community thought this would be a great fundraiser and way to even involve those blessed with non-scouts that may have grown up doing PWD.

My real ask is if someone knows how to structure a betting format with odds on cars (perhaps based on time trials) or what options there may be to involve all the cars somehow and create a system that would allow for bets like horse racing or other sports. I like gambling but rely on the smart people to figure it all out for us- now I’m being asked to be that smart person and hope you all can help. Or maybe someone has been down this road and has a blueprint/spreadsheet/notes/ideas?

Thank you all in advance! And if this is out of line, please forgive me and ignore.

 

[DerbyDad4Hire]

Fun idea, never done it though.

 

[bluestreak]

I agree it’s a neat idea, I’m not enough of a gambler to know where to start to design the structure though. If you are thinking about this as a scout fundraiser keep in mind the BSA will not allow the gambling aspect, but maybe your chartered organization would sponsor the event without mentioning the scouts. Let us know if you come up with something!

 

[MaxJoules]

We have been fundraising to buy our own track so we can run it. We were just going to charge dads like $20 entrance fee (donation) to run their car and just have speed races and maybe best looking or something and not run odds (you know, given that BSA doesn’t even like 50/50 anymore). All just to make sure that dads can get their fill of making a car and not do “too much” of the scouts cars

 

[Jupiter 2.9]

Sell time, $1 per .001, .01 or whatever & deduct it from the final. Cut popsicle sticks in half & keep the count a secret until the end, turn in your purchased speed & see where everything lands.
You would actually be buying popsicle sticks to improve your finish, they can’t say much about that.
Maybe ?