PWD Track Question and better system
Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2010 12:03 am
We currently run on an old wood 8 lane 32' track that to say the least has seen better days. It is warped, starting gate is in need of repair and the stop is in very poor shape. Our pack is anywhere from 30-50 kids in 5 dens depending on the year. This year we had 30 scouts.
What are the best options for a new track solution in this day and age today (notice a lot of discussion of using electronics and software) ?
We currently use elimination method with 3 judges for our races (we sometime have to rerun for to close to call events or car comes off track). First to win 3 races per den is 1st 2nd to win 3 is 2nd, next to win 3 is 3rd. Each place per den advances to semifinals heat of wolfs against Bears & heat WI against WII best 3 in heats go to finals and it starts again. I think there has to be a better way to do this. I think some Scouts get discouraged as they never win a race and many leave once they are done racing not know the outcome of the event.
In the past 2 years we have been doing this my son has won 1st in pack, first in Den and most creative design last year and I ask him his thoughts and he really feels sorry for the other scouts and says he just likes to race. He even wishes he would lose so he can race more, but likes to win too. last year he was going to give his ribbon away to another scout as he felt bad because the pother scout won nothing, not even a race. This year his car did not even lose once. Perhaps he should scale back ( I will stop sharing insight on making it fast), but my thoughts are to have a better track and system to deal with these types of issues. He may have had the best three lanes the track could offer in the races ?
Need insight and thoughts on the matter ?
I am new to this and have done a lot of research to help him build a fast car using physics trying to teach him the physics behind it to get him to think about what is going on with his car. Now some want me to share our knowledge which I am fine with, but I am no expert as we have not built that many cars.
Thanks in advance for any insight or opinions
Most importantly we need a better way to run the event, a new track with fewer lanes and electronics which could make it a better event for the less speedy PWD cars.
What are the best options for a new track solution in this day and age today (notice a lot of discussion of using electronics and software) ?
We currently use elimination method with 3 judges for our races (we sometime have to rerun for to close to call events or car comes off track). First to win 3 races per den is 1st 2nd to win 3 is 2nd, next to win 3 is 3rd. Each place per den advances to semifinals heat of wolfs against Bears & heat WI against WII best 3 in heats go to finals and it starts again. I think there has to be a better way to do this. I think some Scouts get discouraged as they never win a race and many leave once they are done racing not know the outcome of the event.
In the past 2 years we have been doing this my son has won 1st in pack, first in Den and most creative design last year and I ask him his thoughts and he really feels sorry for the other scouts and says he just likes to race. He even wishes he would lose so he can race more, but likes to win too. last year he was going to give his ribbon away to another scout as he felt bad because the pother scout won nothing, not even a race. This year his car did not even lose once. Perhaps he should scale back ( I will stop sharing insight on making it fast), but my thoughts are to have a better track and system to deal with these types of issues. He may have had the best three lanes the track could offer in the races ?
Need insight and thoughts on the matter ?
I am new to this and have done a lot of research to help him build a fast car using physics trying to teach him the physics behind it to get him to think about what is going on with his car. Now some want me to share our knowledge which I am fine with, but I am no expert as we have not built that many cars.
Thanks in advance for any insight or opinions
Most importantly we need a better way to run the event, a new track with fewer lanes and electronics which could make it a better event for the less speedy PWD cars.