I have the boy scout's Pinewood Derby this weekend.  I have never placed and now I have 2 sons in the race.  My dad always made sure that my brother and I had kick ass cars.  We never lost.  Now things are so hi tech.  There's one local guy who took his car to a wind tunnel at General Motors.  Needless to say a lot of the intent of the sport has been lost....that's the focus on the kids.  

My kids do everything except for the power table saw (they need to advance in life with their limbs in tact).  Anyway, any suggestions that gives the kids some tricks or advantages without having dad (me) do my own project to compete agains the other dads?  I want my kids to have fun and do the project, but I'd love for them to flex a little muscle, but I don't want to take the project over either.  Help! 

 

 

13 Comments on Pinewood Derby Next Weekend

What fun! I remember when my boys did the derby. I have kept some of the cars they made. I was a den mother for a couple of years. A great organization!

01/14/2008 11:45 AM by Jo Soss | Bremerton WA Real Estate (Skyline Properties, Inc.)


I want help though Jo!!!!  I need to "shine" in the category of speed.  Thanks

01/14/2008 04:38 PM by Larry Bettag - Cherry Creek Mortgage


Welcome to Parenting....the dilemma of "doing it so they win" versus letting them learn by doing it themselves......Oh, and it's not you who will shine.....it has to be the boys :)  I think no matter what you will have some dads that make the project and take away from the boys what this is all about.....

I was a Scout Leader for Years :)

01/14/2008 07:56 PM by Kathy McGraw ~ Calif Broker (CELLing Realty)


I wish I could help you here Larry.  I will look to you for derby car advice in the future.  In the interim, I am the woman in the know for anything and everything Brownies!

01/14/2008 11:02 PM by Ginger Wilcox, Marin County Realtor (Pacific Union, Marin Real Estate)


Kathy....Im a scout leader as well.  thanks for your encouragement.

Ginger...you're useless to me.  I just need to keep the boys focused on the cars and away from the Brownies!!!!!

01/15/2008 08:31 AM by Larry Bettag - Cherry Creek Mortgage


Wind tunnel!  That is priceless!  My dad built one, and I built one, I don't remember what place I got, but I do remember how much I loved doing it with my Dad!  The hours we spent together on the project were truly priceless.  I literally have tears streaming down my face right now, what good memories.  I barely remember the Pack meeting when the race was held.

That being said, weight balance is just as important as weight.  Perfect front to back and side to side balance is critical so that no wheel is receiving more friction than the others. 

Next, make sure the nails holding the wheels have  spots under the head of the nail on on the nail surface.  Put the nail into a drill (pointy end in the drill) turn on the drill and hold some Emory cloth (very fine grit sandpaper) and polish the parts of the nail that the wheels make contact with.

The last thing is "alignment" axles must have no yaw / and be perfect parallel to the road surface.

Outside of a wind tunnel, I don't have much more advice!  Good luck!

01/15/2008 10:25 AM by Rich Sweum (Homestead Mortgage)


Larry,

I had a son in scouts as well. And like you, I had him design it and I used the power tools. But I did purchase a Dremel tool so that he could make all the detail cuts and sand it himself. Beyond that, I would also advise helping them with attaching the wheels. Making sure the nails are straight makes all the difference in the world. Just a good tip I learned about getting the weight right...Drill a hole in the back of the car and fill it with B-Bs until you get the correct weight. This will help get very close to the correct weight without the additional drag of attached lead weights. My son finished 7th in the regional trials. Good Luck!

01/15/2008 10:30 AM by Benjamin Smith - Atlanta Area Appraiser (Apex Appraisals & Consulting)


Rich....dude....Bette Midler...."don't you know that you are my hero!!!!!!  Thanks

Ben....I'm close...thanks...this is great...I love it. 

Thanks to both of you.

01/15/2008 10:54 PM by Larry Bettag - Cherry Creek Mortgage


Well?? What was the outcome?  I expect a full blog report.

01/20/2008 02:23 PM by Ginger Wilcox, Marin County Realtor (Pacific Union, Marin Real Estate)


Hi Larry --Couldn't help but comment on the Pinewood Derby -- we call it the Dad's Derby out here because it's basically dad versus dad.  And hey, Rich, you sure know your Derby Dos and Don'ts!  God bless all the Cub Scouts and dads for keeping the tradition going (wind tunnel and all).

01/21/2008 11:49 AM by Terry Rasner-Yacenda, ABR, GRI (Dickson Realty)


We were number one in the pack but only placed 10th in the District race. 

My son is only 7 so he cannot make the car himself.  I do all the work, but he is there by my side, helping me whenever he can.  He sands it and gets the color and pattern like he wants.  I explain all the techniques to him and he understand most of them. 

He has thanked me more than once  for helping him with his car.  It's great for our relationship. 

Next year he will do a little more as his experience and maturity allows. 

 

03/07/2008 12:03 PM by


Larry:

Oh yes, the Pinewood derby.  This is where the Dad's get to show their son's how creative they can be.

04/10/2008 06:07 AM by ยป Bill Burress Nationwide Mortgage Originator


Thanks Bill.....It's so great to have this one on one....

04/10/2008 10:02 PM by Larry Bettag - Cherry Creek Mortgage


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Mortgage Company: Larry Bettag - Cherry Creek Mortgage
Larry Bettag Illinois FHA Specialist
Saint Charles, IL
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