Derby Talk

The check-in process at both races is: registration -> inspection -> photos (left front, right front, right rear, left rear) -> impound. We don't yet have the setup or software to show the photos at the event - they're usually posted a couple days later. This service gives the boys a photographic re...

We really like having the Cub Scouts staging their own cars at the Pack and District races - it gives that extra "sense of ownership" that they're racing the car, not some official. It does mean they could drop the car, but it doesn't happen often at all, and there's no claim that the offi...

Two data points: Our Pack's track is 1-2-3 only, no times, so we ran each boy at least twice (and sometimes 3 times) in each lane to ensure that everyone raced against everyone in a variety of lanes (we used a modified version of the Chris Sutton Excel spreadsheets to track places). The boys and fam...

Apologies for not posting these links earlier, but it's been a rather hectic spring. This year, we again used our "Pinewood Derby photo box" at the Pack 242 and Four Peaks District Pinewood Derbies. The photos of (almost) all the entered cars are at: Pack 242: http://www.richardcmoeur.com/...

Across our entire Council, District-level participation is way off from only a few years ago. I busted my behind to get entries this year, and improved our numbers a bit, but still far down from several years ago. The feedback we received in 2014 told us to avoid spring breaks in mid-March, so we mo...

Here's a document we put together (complete with photos) to show how to drill axle tip inspection holes for cars with drilled axle holes:
http://www.richardcmoeur.com/scout/exposingaxletips.pdf

Given that our council doesn't even have a council-level Derby (but we're working on that...), a "world championship" Derby is certainly ambitious. But as others have pointed out, differences in rules are going to leave a lot of boys left out. For example, I strongly encourage our boys to ...

The Earth has made another trip around the glowing spherical nuclear furnace, and another Pack 242 Pinewood Derby has come and gone. Great fun for all, even though my son (for the first time!) didn't make it to the finals - but the car that nosed him out went on to win it all. And the boys that show...

Very impressive cars so far. :clap: All I have to show right now is one I built this weekend in between workshops for our Pack on Friday night and Sunday afternoon. It started with a simple wheelbase question (vs. tracking and stability), and quickly became a "well, let's see if it works..?&quo...

I was thinking about correcting the subject line, but didn't know if it would mess up the thread. Thanks for the advice.

Dumb Friday night question on a long- dormant thread: is it really critically important to completely remove the crimp marks on the shaft? Our first year, we removed the crimp marks completely, but it seemed the diameter was reduced a noticeable amount (son's car won Pack, placed at District). Last ...

My dislike for slots is kindled anew - this evening, while working on "P'u" (a block that came right out of the box at 127 grams, so I just had to build it), even carefully using all the proper tools and aftermarket guides, I still managed to pop a corner off the end. :burningmad: We'll se...

Four Peaks District Rules: Wheelbase: 4.25" to 4.63" Wheel location: Anywhere, as long as 7" max length isn't exceeded Slots or holes are OK, but axle tips must be visible (more on this below) (full rules and info at http://www.grandcanyonbsa.org/event/1459205 ) The very first car tha...

The propellor car is... tempting. :hmm: For Open Class, of course. Mr. Davis: since you're here and posting, a question: The many 2009 wheels I've measured are at least 0.379" from outside of curve to inside of tread, but your wheel go/no-go gauge has openings for 0.360" and 0.320". A...

At the Four Peaks District PWD earlier this year, Boy Scouts covered most of the important tasks, including MC, snack bar, and track duties. Adults handled inspection and a couple other items. The Scouts did great.