The headline kind of says it all: The Pinewood Derby is fast approaching!
In January, we have two events that occur: the Edible Snowman Contest and the Pinewood Derby.
Your den leaders should start work on the edible snowman this week or next. The rules for the Edible Snowman Contest are simple: You are to construct a snowman, or a scene featuring a snowman, all out of edible things. I mean, EVERYTHING about the snowman must be edible. You and your den will use your imaginations to design and build your snowman, which will be judged at the January Pack Meeting. We're not talking life size, think edible, think could fit in the center of a table, or could easily be part of a diorama which would fit on a cookie sheet. Your leaders will have some guidance for this project.
Next, the Pinewood Derby! If you haven't already started, you should begin working on your pinewood car right away. Here are the rules for building your Pinewood car.
1. You must use the stock pieces that are in the kit---the wheels, axles, and block of wood.
2. The wheelbase and axle height must remain the same as what was pre-cut on the block of wood.
3. You can take wood away, you can shape it any way that you like as long as you can still meet criteria one and two.
4. You can add weight (lead weights, washers, etc.) but the overall weight of the car can not exceed 5 oz.
5. If you do add weights, they can not project under the car in a way which would interfere with it rolling down the track, or in a way which might interfere with the other car(s) on the track.
6. If you are unsure about any modifications you made to the car, email or call me about it.
Also, you can use lubricants on the axles. A dry lubricant, like graphite, or molybdenum, is recommended. Do not use a grease of some kind, because it might stain or damage the track.
Tips for racing faster: Make absolutely sure the axles are straight and parallel to each other. Before installing the axles, polish them to remove any tiny burrs or imperfections. Next, before installing the wheels, if you have a dremel moto tool, you can use a tiny cloth attachment to buff the axle hole in the wheel, and then smooth and buff the outside rim of the wheel (the flat surface which contacts the track). If the wheels move freely and aren't working against each other, then you have done 99% of what you can do to make your car run as fast as possible.
We will hold the Pinewood Derby on the night of our January Pack Meeting, January 22nd, at the United Methodist Church basement in Metropolis. I encourage boys (and dads) who have raced before to bring their old cars to be featured in our "Hall Of Champions."
We will begin car check-in at 6 pm. We will begin racing promptly at 6:30 pm.
Cars must be checked in before the race begins.
Once cars are checked in, they can not be touched again by the scout until his race begins.
All cars must weigh 5 ounces or less. If the car weighs more than 5 ounces, weight must be removed until it is 5 ounces or less. Only cars 5 ounces or less will be allowed to race.
The race will be in brackets by den, but boys race against time, not each other. Each boy will race two time trials, one for each lane of the track. The fastest racer will advance to a race of champions.
Awards will be given for many different achievements, not just the fastest racers. Other awards include Best Scout Theme, Best Design, Best Colors, Fastest Looking, Most Patriotic, Most Unusual, Best Paint Job, Best "Brick," and many other awards. Prizes and certificates will be awarded to the boys throughout the evening.
After the boys finish their races, and we have officially judged the Edible Snowman Contest, we will host the Open Class Race. The Open Class Race is for anyone who wants to race a modified Pinewood Car. The rules for building in the open class change dramatically. The only stock piece that is required is the block of wood. You must start with that. How much of it is left is up to you, but some element of the car's frame must be the original block of wood. Next, there is no weight limit, except for the reasonable limit that if the weight would damage the track, I won't allow it to race. On these cars, you can change the wheelbase and axle height, but again, if you do, and it interferes with another car's ability to race, or might possible damage the track, I won't let it race. There are no prizes for the Open Class Race, only bragging rights.
Last year's race was great fun. Everybody thoroughly enjoyed themselves. This event is to be shared by everyone, too. So scouts, make sure your parents, siblings, in-laws and outlaws are there, too!
If you have any questions about racing, please contact me through the website.
Roger
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