BUILD A GUARANTEED BSA SUB-3 WINNER FOR LESS THAN $125

[5KidsRacing]

How much pre-set steer do you drill into them John?

 

[Ryanh]

After buying one of Johns predrilled bodies and being very impressed with it i had to do some experiments myself and i have to say it definitely the way to go on a scout car. I will say if you are going to do it yourself be ready to drill a few bodies to do some testing with if you want to get the most out of it but if you do yoh will be more than happy with the results.

 

[goforbroke]

I myself have seen people show up to the race with clearly illegal cars with long wheelbases that are not allowed in our race with wheels that are not BSA approved and still lose. You can buy all of that stuff if you want, but if you dont have a place like this forum to go to, you are still going to have a slow car. I personally called John and talked to him about racing and I found him to be open, honest and helpful. We even joked about playing by the rules so your son wouldn't get embarrassed by being kicked out of the pinewood derby. I still attend the derby after my son has been out for two years because I got a lot of satisfaction out of it when I raced as a kid and I only had one car that actually finished a race. When my son started racing I told my wife that he would not have that embarrassment. He learned how to paint, prep, sand and all that is involved except cut with a saw. I refused to let him do that by himself. He got a trophy at every single derby including the district with cars that he built and even won the district his last year. That mental image I have of him pumping his fist in the air as he ran to get his champion trophy still makes me smile. We both had a lot of fun and we are now helping build cars with other kids and my son is the teacher, I just watch. It is quite rewarding as all of you know. An idea for all of you. Our pack has a corporate challenge pinewood race that I started as a small fundraiser when my son was there. They race at intermission of the pack race and that has encouraged all of the Dads to spend time on their cars and let their sons build theirs. It is cheap to enter ($30). They are now bringing in over $1000 in sponsorships and it has also encouraged the local community to get involved in scouting. It is very competitive.