Where to start?
I stumbled across this forum while researching pinewood derby cars with my son. He is a first-year cub scout, Tiger. I have been reading threads for over a month now and decided it was past time I join. We have learned so much in the last few months from this site!
It has been about 30 years since I have dabbled with derby cars (when I was a scout). Back then we didn’t have resources like this. Tips and tricks were passed down from older scouts, family, and friends. So much has changed, and yet many things are still the same.
We made 2 cars, just to gain some experience with the tools. He helped as much as a 6-year-old could. In the end, he did a lot more work on the cars than I originally thought he would or could!
Finally, the day came for the Pack’s test and tune. He decided which one he was going to race the next day at the Pack derby. He couldn’t be more excited! I don’t think he slept a wink that night!
The day of the race. We get there at 7:30 (races start at 9, I had volunteered to help) and find out they are going Webelo’s to Lions. This means his group is second to last. We watch and watch and watch some more. The pack experienced many technical problems with the electronic timers which really prolonged the derby. Finally, it was the Tigers turn to race! Wow! He won every one of his 6 races, even in the slow lane!
We wait for the Lions to finish up their races. After which the judges call up one scout from each den, 2 from the Webelo’s. At this point it hit me that he had won his den and he was now racing for the overall. They race once on each of the 3 lanes. His car won 2 out of 3. The loss was when his car was in the slow lane. Even then he was second by .01.
We sit around while the judges tally the times. Finally, it is time for the awards (it is now past 1:00 mind you). They call up the winners, again Webelo’s to Lions. They get to the Tigers; 3rd and 2nd where called, then his name for First! He was so excited! After the Lions, they announce the overall champion. He didn’t even realize they called his name the first time. He was just sitting there clapping. I had to nudge him, and he was like “what”. I said, “you won”. Then it hit him. That smile stayed on his face the rest of the day! He did fall a sleep in the truck before we could get to the ice cream store to celebrate!
We are now on our way to the District races March 17th!
Even though we have to race the same car at districts, we have already made 3 more cars and looking at techniques and future improvements. I look forward to learning form the members and sharing!
By the way when I was a cub scout, way back in the day, I won our districts one year.
Here are a few pictures.
I stumbled across this forum while researching pinewood derby cars with my son. He is a first-year cub scout, Tiger. I have been reading threads for over a month now and decided it was past time I join. We have learned so much in the last few months from this site!
It has been about 30 years since I have dabbled with derby cars (when I was a scout). Back then we didn’t have resources like this. Tips and tricks were passed down from older scouts, family, and friends. So much has changed, and yet many things are still the same.
We made 2 cars, just to gain some experience with the tools. He helped as much as a 6-year-old could. In the end, he did a lot more work on the cars than I originally thought he would or could!
Finally, the day came for the Pack’s test and tune. He decided which one he was going to race the next day at the Pack derby. He couldn’t be more excited! I don’t think he slept a wink that night!
The day of the race. We get there at 7:30 (races start at 9, I had volunteered to help) and find out they are going Webelo’s to Lions. This means his group is second to last. We watch and watch and watch some more. The pack experienced many technical problems with the electronic timers which really prolonged the derby. Finally, it was the Tigers turn to race! Wow! He won every one of his 6 races, even in the slow lane!
We wait for the Lions to finish up their races. After which the judges call up one scout from each den, 2 from the Webelo’s. At this point it hit me that he had won his den and he was now racing for the overall. They race once on each of the 3 lanes. His car won 2 out of 3. The loss was when his car was in the slow lane. Even then he was second by .01.
We sit around while the judges tally the times. Finally, it is time for the awards (it is now past 1:00 mind you). They call up the winners, again Webelo’s to Lions. They get to the Tigers; 3rd and 2nd where called, then his name for First! He was so excited! After the Lions, they announce the overall champion. He didn’t even realize they called his name the first time. He was just sitting there clapping. I had to nudge him, and he was like “what”. I said, “you won”. Then it hit him. That smile stayed on his face the rest of the day! He did fall a sleep in the truck before we could get to the ice cream store to celebrate!
We are now on our way to the District races March 17th!
Even though we have to race the same car at districts, we have already made 3 more cars and looking at techniques and future improvements. I look forward to learning form the members and sharing!
By the way when I was a cub scout, way back in the day, I won our districts one year.
Here are a few pictures.
Yes they are paying attention.
