Pinewood Derby Time!

[Captain Ahab]

My 8 year old is in Cub Scouts and the Pinewood Derby is quickly approaching. I have two kits and some tools along with a couple brain children ready to breath air. Any good stories? Any good tips?

 

[Auggie]

 

[riverview]

are they still the same kit from the 70s? block of wood axles and skinny plastic wheels? I always went with the wedge shape weighted in the front end.

 

[Retired Educator]

Make sure your kid has the most work in the car. Offer advice, and let him build it. Weight a little forward and smooth running wheels are key.

 

[Bohica]

Weight in the back as it creates the most potential energy. Streamline to reduce air resistance. Only have three wheels touching track to reduce friction. Polish your nails. Use graphite for lubrication

 

[Captain Ahab]

are they still the same kit from the 70s? block of wood axles and skinny plastic wheels? I always went with the wedge shape weighted in the front end.

Yes, kit has remained the same.

 

[AR-15]

Hope they use scales now?

 

[SDMF]

We routed a couple channels into the bottom of my car, melted some lead, filled the channels then shaved off weight until we made weight.

 

[Hoffer]

This

https://youtu.be/-RjJtO51ykY

 

[KDM]

The key to a good soap box race is to look good regardless of the outcome. A mean paint job on the car, a cool outfit, and scary helmet are essential to the success of the event. Good luck, take pictures, and then share them Please. I love these kinds of things.

 

[LBrandt]

Just run with it. Its all about Father -Son time and having fun.

 

[Captain Ahab]

This

https://youtu.be/-RjJtO51ykY

I should get the rules shortly. Watched this one a couple days ago.

 

[remm]

Let your kid do most of the build/paint job and race. I always found it bullshit to see a souped up batmobile type car and the dad cheering it on with the kid not really giving a flying f about the whole thing. Don't be that dad... And yes, your weight distribution and smooth wheels are the key

 

[SDMF]

While you're waiting for rules, have some mini-logo's made up. Ranger, Loomis, St. Croix, Rapala, Salmo, and UND Fighting Sioux.

 

[Rowdie]

you mean "Fighting Hawks!!"

 

[huntinforfish]

Used to love this when I was a young lad. Dad let us do whatever we wanted to cars from design to paint. My last year competing and having learned from years prior I built a very streamlined car with weight in the rear. Requested Dads help with weight location and balance. Mounted washers in the rear under the car to make weight. Dad still made us do all the work. Graphite for lubrication on wheels (Dad's idea). Cant remember if it was Co2 cars from shop class or soap box, but I also used small straws pressed through the wood for easier turning axles. Thinking about it now, I think maybe that was a Co2 car where the axles turned. Either way, good luck and remember to have fun. I still remember making it through our local competition and moving on to a regional race. The evidence of Dads and Grandpas building 100% the car was ridiculous. The old guys were more competitive than the kids. I still finished high, but was disappointed not to win. Being beat by kids half my age with near perfect cars sucked, but as my Dad told me after the race, I wasn't beat by a single kid that day. He still has my car from that year in the shop.

 

[SDMF]

you mean "Fighting Hawks!!"

No, no I didn’t mistype UND Fighting Sioux.

 

[NDSportsman]

I'll just say this, if you aint cheatin you aint tryin.

 

[Rowdie]

There is no Fighting Sioux

 

[SDMF]

There is no Fighting Sioux

There will be Fighting Sioux until the last Alum to attend/graduate from UND when that name was "The Name" has passed away.