This is kind a long read but maybe...just maybe ....here is what I tried......
I started lobbying for use of oil about 3 years ago. I wasn't pushy at all, rather I just explained some of the benefits that oil could offer. There was one District leader that was adamant that oil was not faster and that he had tried both. I let him have his own opinion and offered up that while "oil was not much faster" that it ran more consistent for a greater number of runs. I was helping to always set up and take down the track at that time. I tried to make some connections. The person in charge of the District track overheard my various soft sell conversations. I later found out that how much I was sharing with various parents and kids about how to build a faster car did not go unnoticed. We also discussed that while oil had the potential to drop onto the track, that when used properly it could be much cleaner than graphite. We covered the topic of cost. I explained that while the oil was more expensive, that a dad could buy a bottle when his Cub was first starting and have way more that he would need until he crossed over. I also offered the idea that a couple parents could share a bottle or even the possibility that a pack could share. I explained that only 1-2 drops were needed depending on size of the drop. I also stressed that too much oil would slow the car down!
I reached out to the person in charge of the District track and offered to help with anything they needed with the track. I looked up repair parts and sent links to items that were needed for the track. I offered to give a short class at the District races about how to check alignment and set your steer. That went unanswered until after the following years District race.
I again offered to help with anything that was needed with the track. It was at that time that I was taken up on my offer. That fall we ended up working on the track at my place. The two of us spent about12 - 13 hours each working on the track. We each spent about 4-5 hours cleaning the track. We went thru two bottles of Simple Green and about 2 cans of brake cleaner to remove the graphite that was on the track. I also showed him how to clean the stop section with a lint roller. He was amazed at how much graphite had built on on both the track and the stop section. We then used pledge wipes to "treat" the clean surface and help with future removal of graphite buildup.
While working on the track we had various conversations about the physics of the track, the start gate, joint transitions and various car topics. I was able to show him what I had done with our start gate and joint transitions. I also showed him various tools that I had built to help the Cubs build a faster car (I found ideas to many of the tools while reading here). He found out that my son and I held workshops for the Cubs to build their cars both before my son crossed over and again after he crossed over.
It was while we were working on the track together, that HE brought up the subject of oil. I then reaffirmed my thoughts about the benefits of using oil including that it could ultimately be cleaner. I also added, that I thought that there would need to be some sort of a transition period if they were going to consider allowing oil. I stated that some of the people would not want to switch and that there would be some that this would be their last year racing and would not want to learn a new process. I even discussed that the Scout store would need to carry oil and that they would need time to get it in stock. We even discussed that the rules would need to be changed. I explained that silicone is part of the axle prep process when using oil and that the silicone exclusion would need to be removed. I offered to help review and rewrite the rules.
I believe that because I showed that I knew a little bit about Pinewood Derby and track setup, that I gained some small sense of respect from this leader. It took some time, but he made the decision to allow oil and graphite this year. He did tell me that he ultimately wants to switch over to all oil at some point.
For those that took the time to read all of this ....you may be wondering why I took the time to write all of this? I wanted to show and share that in my case this was a long slow process. It took several years of soft selling the idea while continuing to offer assistance wherever it was needed with the Pinewood Derby. It was about building a relationship of respect and trust. It was about following through with what I said I would do. It probably didn't hurt that my son is now a Life Scout and is in the 7th grade. So any appearances of personal motivations are greatly limited by this fact.
While this is not a done deal, I feel it is step in the right direction! In fact, durning our Packs Cub race, I found several things wrong with the track. I fixed what I could at the time and let the leader know about the issues. I again offered help to fix the track. So ....next weekend the track is coming to our garage for repair work. It should be a good opportunity to have an honest conversation about how the transition to oil is moving along. So I continue to offer help whenever possible.
So to those that want to help introduce oil to your pack/District, maybe you can glean some small piece of information from my experience that can help in your case. Good luck in your quest to educate those responsible for your races.
Now if we can just work on those rules .....
Remember...have some fun!!!
I miss that emoji
