I'm getting more and more involved in running some Pinewood Derbies around our district and I really want to make the derby something GREAT for everyone involved. Ours was ok, but there were of course some things that could have been done better. I thought we could share best practices. In your opinion, what makes a great Pinewood Derby Experience? What have you seen that you like.
Conversely, what did you see that could have been improved on?
What makes a great Pinewood Derby Experience?
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AlabamaDan
- Master Pine Head
- Posts: 197
- Joined: Wed Feb 04, 2009 12:26 pm
- Location: Birmingham, Alabama
Re: What makes a great Pinewood Derby Experience?
Several elements that have worked for us in years past:
1.First and foremost imo, a race schedule that allows for maximum racing for each child. Nothing worse than three runs and done for a cub.
2.Alternative activity (not too much) for cubs not racing.
3.An elevated track, improves viewing for all.
4.A desiganted DJ/MC to announce contestants and call races.
Most important off the top of my head.
1.First and foremost imo, a race schedule that allows for maximum racing for each child. Nothing worse than three runs and done for a cub.
2.Alternative activity (not too much) for cubs not racing.
3.An elevated track, improves viewing for all.
4.A desiganted DJ/MC to announce contestants and call races.
Most important off the top of my head.
Re: What makes a great Pinewood Derby Experience?
A few things that I'd toss in from coordinating a few and attending many:
PA System
An overhead projector and screen to project results quickly and then to communicate next heat's participants
Computer and timer is huge. (Back up often and have a backup PC loaded)
We use markers on the bottom to indicate their id number - stickers don't stick half the time!
A printer to produce result sheets at the end of each group (then post em somewhere within the venue)
Get all pre registered you can up front and loaded into the software in advance.
Hit some local garages and racers etc for some racing decor, banners, stickers, etc.
Incorporate alternative ways to win a trophy: Design and Slowest (Turtle) for example.
Sibling activities are helpful.
Recruit a local troop to handle concessions (cook breakfast/lunch ) items
Good music playing helps along with a good front man.
Keep things moving at all costs...it gets real boring real fast.
Webelos are great at running cars back up to gate.
Use wireless microphones (2) and interview the scouts during the inevitable stall period (This can be hilarious when they start talking about their car)
Have at least one hot glue gun on at all times for optional emergency repair during heats
Ban slow drying glues on race day Especially Elmers!
PA System
An overhead projector and screen to project results quickly and then to communicate next heat's participants
Computer and timer is huge. (Back up often and have a backup PC loaded)
We use markers on the bottom to indicate their id number - stickers don't stick half the time!
A printer to produce result sheets at the end of each group (then post em somewhere within the venue)
Get all pre registered you can up front and loaded into the software in advance.
Hit some local garages and racers etc for some racing decor, banners, stickers, etc.
Incorporate alternative ways to win a trophy: Design and Slowest (Turtle) for example.
Sibling activities are helpful.
Recruit a local troop to handle concessions (cook breakfast/lunch ) items
Good music playing helps along with a good front man.
Keep things moving at all costs...it gets real boring real fast.
Webelos are great at running cars back up to gate.
Use wireless microphones (2) and interview the scouts during the inevitable stall period (This can be hilarious when they start talking about their car)
Have at least one hot glue gun on at all times for optional emergency repair during heats
Ban slow drying glues on race day Especially Elmers!
Re: What makes a great Pinewood Derby Experience?
Some good point above. Here are a few more:
1. Clear, documented rules, handed out to everyone, that don't change.
2. Race procedure that is well explained, and is above reproach.
3. Quality track - Nothing worse than cars jumping rails
4. Quality timer, infaced to a computer for rapid results.
5. Video projection so everyone can see the results.
Regarding an MC, make sure it a person that is comfortable talking, can pronounce names properly, and can fill the void with appropriate commentary.
1. Clear, documented rules, handed out to everyone, that don't change.
2. Race procedure that is well explained, and is above reproach.
3. Quality track - Nothing worse than cars jumping rails
4. Quality timer, infaced to a computer for rapid results.
5. Video projection so everyone can see the results.
Regarding an MC, make sure it a person that is comfortable talking, can pronounce names properly, and can fill the void with appropriate commentary.
Re: What makes a great Pinewood Derby Experience?
Probably repeating from posters above, but think of it from the spectators point of view for a while. Things like big video screens to show results, slideshows of the whole pack/district at other events, slideshows of the current fleet of cars, live video or video replay of the race (esp if the track is not that visible from all areas of the venue). People are TV spoiled and are used to several screens at once to keep them occupied.
Pace, pace - keep it moving - and have plans or an MC that can handle the small downtimes.
Break up the waiting time for racers - have an activity, have them vote of favorite cars backstage, concession stands, live interviews was a great idea. A wireless camera even better!
For the parents - post rules early and often. Look for efficiencies. People don't mind waiting in a line to checkin or race or whatever - but not if it looks disorganized.
For the kids, involvement is a key. Can they stage their own cars. Can they return their own cars. Do you have a start button solenoid to start each heat. Can the vote on cars for something. Not just for older Webelos - find things like these ideas for all ages.
For the volunteers - rotation. Have more than one person for most jobs. Split the day in two, or rotate from one job to another. Some things you want consistency on, but most can be job-shared pretty well. When recruiting your volunteers - have job descriptions and options arleady written down. People hesitate when their role is too open-ended. Remind potential volunteers that anyone can help - you don't have to be a gearhead, woodworker craftman, derbytalk regular to make a valuable contribution to the event.
Pace, did I mention that?
Immediate feedback. We don't do a good job at releasing race stats after each group. We are trying to preserve anticipation of pack final, but I think people may like to see accumulative averages during the day. Working on that for next time...
Trophies and awards. Some will disagree, but I think kids like and deserve hardware. We pass out labels stuck on stands, medals, ribbons, certificates, patches, and then trophies of several types. Not that everyone is a winner, I don't buy into that. But whatever winners you do declare, should go home with mementos that will last longer than making it to the kitchen table and then trashed.
Pace, pace - keep it moving - and have plans or an MC that can handle the small downtimes.
Break up the waiting time for racers - have an activity, have them vote of favorite cars backstage, concession stands, live interviews was a great idea. A wireless camera even better!
For the parents - post rules early and often. Look for efficiencies. People don't mind waiting in a line to checkin or race or whatever - but not if it looks disorganized.
For the kids, involvement is a key. Can they stage their own cars. Can they return their own cars. Do you have a start button solenoid to start each heat. Can the vote on cars for something. Not just for older Webelos - find things like these ideas for all ages.
For the volunteers - rotation. Have more than one person for most jobs. Split the day in two, or rotate from one job to another. Some things you want consistency on, but most can be job-shared pretty well. When recruiting your volunteers - have job descriptions and options arleady written down. People hesitate when their role is too open-ended. Remind potential volunteers that anyone can help - you don't have to be a gearhead, woodworker craftman, derbytalk regular to make a valuable contribution to the event.
Pace, did I mention that?
Immediate feedback. We don't do a good job at releasing race stats after each group. We are trying to preserve anticipation of pack final, but I think people may like to see accumulative averages during the day. Working on that for next time...
Trophies and awards. Some will disagree, but I think kids like and deserve hardware. We pass out labels stuck on stands, medals, ribbons, certificates, patches, and then trophies of several types. Not that everyone is a winner, I don't buy into that. But whatever winners you do declare, should go home with mementos that will last longer than making it to the kitchen table and then trashed.
Last edited by dna1990 on Mon Feb 08, 2010 4:22 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: What makes a great Pinewood Derby Experience?
Ill add in also.
1-clear set of rules.
2- no less than 30 days prior to the event, the kids should get the rules and the cars.
3-workshops should be held.
4-The area for the race, should be large enough to handle everyone and provide seating for them.
5- clear directions to that location, Signs outside the day of the race and the same for the workshops.
6-Have a good staging area for the cars.
7-make sure you're helpers are well informed and know what to look for at inspection.
9- have tools, weight and ect for people who come and need additional help to make the car legal to race.
10- A good track layout so people can see well. Roping off areas and space and signs of info.
11-banners, streamers,flagging are a plus.
12- I recommend a track and timer system with software, make sure you have enough electrical outlets and enough cords to complete the job.
13, many set up the night before to check for hickups with the timer and track and to ensure the software any everything it working.
14- run the race format, where they all race and the software goes by fastest of the time and does there own rank and keeps track of it all for you. they each get to race 9 times and they usually all race every 10 to 15 minutes or even less.
16- decent food and a fair price!
17 make sure everyone knows where the bathrooms are and how to get there.
The pinewood derby committee should be atleast made to have a few people who know what to look for for inspection, paperwork process, needs to be gone over ahead of time. just do not toss them into the frying pan the day of the race.
Prep work is key to a great race. Nothing worse than help or pwd committee members who are in charge or co in charge and have no clue what to look for or what they are suppose to do.
Sporty
1-clear set of rules.
2- no less than 30 days prior to the event, the kids should get the rules and the cars.
3-workshops should be held.
4-The area for the race, should be large enough to handle everyone and provide seating for them.
5- clear directions to that location, Signs outside the day of the race and the same for the workshops.
6-Have a good staging area for the cars.
7-make sure you're helpers are well informed and know what to look for at inspection.
9- have tools, weight and ect for people who come and need additional help to make the car legal to race.
10- A good track layout so people can see well. Roping off areas and space and signs of info.
11-banners, streamers,flagging are a plus.
12- I recommend a track and timer system with software, make sure you have enough electrical outlets and enough cords to complete the job.
13, many set up the night before to check for hickups with the timer and track and to ensure the software any everything it working.
14- run the race format, where they all race and the software goes by fastest of the time and does there own rank and keeps track of it all for you. they each get to race 9 times and they usually all race every 10 to 15 minutes or even less.
16- decent food and a fair price!
17 make sure everyone knows where the bathrooms are and how to get there.
The pinewood derby committee should be atleast made to have a few people who know what to look for for inspection, paperwork process, needs to be gone over ahead of time. just do not toss them into the frying pan the day of the race.
Prep work is key to a great race. Nothing worse than help or pwd committee members who are in charge or co in charge and have no clue what to look for or what they are suppose to do.
Sporty
Re: What makes a great Pinewood Derby Experience?
Good one Sporty and one that has been talked about here before.
But if you have a rule, then inspect for it somehow to some degree. And if you inspect for it, have that inspector fully aware of what they should be looking for. Have a checklist and even pictures of good/bad examples. That inspector also needs to be somewhere between a push-over and a hard-core prison warden.
No doubt, so much inspection will be subjective (at Scout PWD levels, use of micrometers and front side mirrors is too much for me). So this subjective check needs to be applied fairly across all entrants.
Have a plan for when an infraction or suspected infraction arises. Is there a chairman or someone that inspector consults with? Is this done in a way to be open and fair, but not cause undo humiliation to everyone standing behind the young scout in question, etc.
If something results in a DQ or request to rework the car, no single inspector should make the call. Have at least a second set of eyes be involved before sending someone back. And have a answer to what options they have, can they fix car overnight and bring next day? Often assumed, but not typically allowed, etc.
But if you have a rule, then inspect for it somehow to some degree. And if you inspect for it, have that inspector fully aware of what they should be looking for. Have a checklist and even pictures of good/bad examples. That inspector also needs to be somewhere between a push-over and a hard-core prison warden.
No doubt, so much inspection will be subjective (at Scout PWD levels, use of micrometers and front side mirrors is too much for me). So this subjective check needs to be applied fairly across all entrants.
Have a plan for when an infraction or suspected infraction arises. Is there a chairman or someone that inspector consults with? Is this done in a way to be open and fair, but not cause undo humiliation to everyone standing behind the young scout in question, etc.
If something results in a DQ or request to rework the car, no single inspector should make the call. Have at least a second set of eyes be involved before sending someone back. And have a answer to what options they have, can they fix car overnight and bring next day? Often assumed, but not typically allowed, etc.
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Darin McGrew
- Pine Head Legend
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- Joined: Fri Jul 18, 2003 1:23 pm
- Location: Knoxville, TN
- Contact:
Re: What makes a great Pinewood Derby Experience?
Here's my 2 cents...
Workshops: We hold 3 Saturday morning workshops, plus there's workshop time during our regular Wednesday meetings. The tools that seem to make the most difference are:
Workshops: We hold 3 Saturday morning workshops, plus there's workshop time during our regular Wednesday meetings. The tools that seem to make the most difference are:
- drill presses (for pressing straight axle holes before cutting the block)
- bandsaws (ADULTS ONLY, but the kids must draw the lines before we cut)
- bench sanders, and an assortment of hand-sanding tools & supplies
- weight (ADULTS ONLY, since we use molten metal from recycled wheel weights)
- painting booths (large cardboard box, cheap plastic turntable, trigger-style handle for rattle-can spray paint, disposable gloves)
- hand drills (for polishing axles; drill presses can be used too, once everyone has pressed their axle holes)
- lubricant (we provide Krytox 100, and teach everyone how to apply it properly)
- Make sure the rules are simple, understandable, and enforceable, and that the registration crew knows how to inspect for compliance.
- We have a table for adding weight to underweight cars, another table for removing excess weight, and another table for lubricating and mounting the wheels and axles.
- Make sure everyone can see. Before the race, we display the cars where people can see them, but where they cannot touch them. Our track is elevated, to make it easier for everyone to see.
- Display the results of each race where everyone can see them. We also display photos of the cars that are currently racing. (We don't have a timer. If you use one, then make sure everyone knows that a car's times are what matter, not its finish order in any given race.)
- Lots of racing for everyone. We race every car 8 times (twice in each lane).
- Keep it moving. Make sure the race scheduling, recording of results, and determination of awards goes smoothly. We also announce the design awards while the scoring crew prints the final race results for the MC.
- Be prepared for delays. Make sure the MC has plenty of kid-friendly jokes (even if a lot of them are "groaners"), and be prepared for impromptu reminders about summer camp, upcoming events, etc.
- Keep the kids involved. We have the kids sit in chairs of honor at the finish line, and then return their cars to the starting crew after each race. We also distribute each car's races throughout the schedule, so no one races 8 times and then sits around for an hour watching everyone else race.
- Be prepared for emergency repairs. Gel-style CA glues work well. This year we also had 60-second epoxy. And lube, for the cars that got registered without lubrication and don't even cross the finish line on their first race.
