Are Pinewood Derby cars still the least inexpensive racing!

[whodathunkit]

I ran across this Pinewood Derby car article in a 1968 Model car and Science Magazine by Robert Schleicher on page 31
The Pinewood Derby Cars at 75 cents the least inexpensive way to race.







I know that the times have changed since 1968.
And that in today's world the BSA Scout shop Pinewood Derby car kit will run you around $6.99.

However the thrill and enjoyment you get out making a Pinewood Derby car and racing is still much in the same as it has been over the years.

Just the price for the extras supplies needed in making the car now or days ..
tungsten weights , extra wheels and axle sets, lubes, glues, sand papers, paint's, decals, tools , speed tip & pattern books and so on.

I don't know about the rest of you.. but on average Id say that in most all my derby car building ventures...
by the time I've added the cost of the kit and the cost of supplies needed up.
That I 've spent up words to around $ 75.00 or more.. just to build the car.

KIt: $ 6.99
Tungsten weight $ 18.99 0r more.
Sand paper 's for wood $ 2.48 , metals $ 7.99
Wood glue's $ 2.49 or more
Graphite lube $ 6.95 or more for oil type lubes.
Rattle can Spray paints $ 7.49 or more per can.
Decals $ 5.99 or more
Wheel bore polish $ 3.99 or more.
Pipe cleaners or swabs.. $ 1.95 or more.
Extra wheel set's $2.95 or more.
Axle set's $ 2.95 or more.
Speed tip and patterns books $ 3.95 - 13.69 or more
Tools like derby worx's Basic tool pack $ 64.50 advanced tool pack $ 134.95
You get the idea here..
anyway chime in with you're thought's on what you would spend in supplies starting out to build a Pinewood Derby Car .
Is it still the least inexpensive racing.

[Vitamin K]

It's still way cheaper than slot racing, RC or soap box!

[Eagle]

It all depends on what your goal is, who you are racing, if your truly doing and learning together with your child.

Don't know what it's like in your neck of the woods, but $75. is a pretty cheap date these days.

I used to think Kart racing was the cheapest - it probably is 4 wheel motorized that you can actually drive. Now if you rent a Kart and race three ten lap races you are going to spend at least $50.

There is something about building something yourself, or with your child, that is tough to put a price on.

And, Whodathunkit your rolling works of art would be tough to put a price on - period.

[whodathunkit]

Well said .. VK and Eagle.

[Darin McGrew]

anyway chime in with you're thought's on what you would spend in supplies starting out to build a Pinewood Derby Car .

It's been a while since I've been involved with a local derby, but IIRC, about 10 years ago, we were charging participants $10 each (with scholarships available if that was too much for the family). That covered the cost of the kit itself, as well as a share of the general derby expenses: awards, workshop supplies, and so on. Most of the additional expenses you listed (weight, paint, lube, sandpaper, etc.) were available to anyone who came to the workshops.

Could the kids/parents/leaders spend more? Sure. Some bought various decorations from hobby shops or elsewhere. I bought tungsten cubes for a couple of my "all comers" cars, because the designs didn't leave much room for weight. But most of the cars were built without any additional expenses, and many of the race and design winners were built without any additional expenses.

[whodathunkit]

Thank you Darin, For the workshop idea's to help keep the cost of supplys down.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving!