Winter project for those coming to V@V next spring...

[ScottNC]

I'm adding a fun activity to the event this year, Pine Wood Derby grudge matches. I'm going to build some sort of two lane track and have it set up at the event site. You are encouraged to bring your own car or you are welcome to use one of the "house" cars. Open to all adults and kids.

If you get snowed in sometime this winter and are looking for something to do, get to work on your PWD car. No weight limits, but it should be based on a PWD kit. Hey, a 2002 is rather boxy so it couldn't be too hard to carve one out of wood?

Racing would be throughout the day, whenever you want.

Prize for "best in show".

www.vintageatthevineyards.zoomshare.com

[winstontj]

I'm adding a fun activity to the event this year, Pine Wood Derby grudge matches. I'm going to build some sort of two lane track and have it set up at the event site. You are encouraged to bring your own car or you are welcome to use one of the "house" cars. Open to all adults and kids.

If you get snowed in sometime this winter and are looking for something to do, get to work on your PWD car. No weight limits, but it should be based on a PWD kit. Hey, a 2002 is rather boxy so it couldn't be too hard to carve one out of wood?

Prize for "best in show".

www.vintageatthevineyards.zoomshare.com

A suggestion:

Contact your local Boy Scouts of America office. Cub Scouts have an annual Pinewood derby contest. Or at least they did a few years ago. They sell a "kit" with pinewood box, wheels, *****RULES***** all in one box for under $10. You could borrow a track - most Cub Scout Packs have a 4-6 lane track all setup with optical timers, etc...

You're asking for it by giving an open invite to us to build the fastest, coolest ANYTHING. This way there's already existing rules, etc. Also there are things to consider like because there is no steering there are raised grooves so the cars track. The Cub Scout's cars have height requirements (not lowered too far boys), wheel base and track width is pre-set. also there are rules like no bushings, weight limits, etc.

It's pretty easy to just borrow what they do and I promise you that you could get a local pack to offer their track for the day in exchange for them getting the opportunity to judge or run an event like that. They'd love it, the kids would go nuts over it and it would be one less thing for you to worry about - how nice would it be to be able to be a spectator while a bunch of 8 year olds DQ your butt for cheating???

Just a thought.....

[Guest Anonymous]

Sounds like somthing fun to do, where can we find such kits?? I know I am a deprived child.

Sam

[HarryPR]

IIRC my son kept his winning car from back when he was a Cub Scout (he's 21 now). It's not a work of art, but it did beat all comers so badly that it was impounded for inspection. It passed easily, we just read the rules thoroughly, which apparently others did not.

If he still has it I'll be there with it.

[02fanatic]

I could bring my 1959 Pinewood Derby winner....red with the white lightening bolt and everything! Made it with my Dad. Still have it with the blue ribbon..it's cool...has a driver and everything! The driver didn't have a head so I made one with some tape - looks like a helmet! :-) Hey it won first place!!!

I tried to shoot a pic of it but my digital camera software messed up...maybe another time.

I could put it head to head with your son's car Harry! :-)

John

[HarryPR]

I could bring my 1959 Pinewood Derby winner....red with the white lightening bolt and everything! Made it with my Dad. Still have it with the blue ribbon..it's cool...has a driver and everything! The driver didn't have a head so I made one with some tape - looks like a helmet! :-) Hey it won first place!!!

I tried to shoot a pic of it but my digital camera software messed up...maybe another time.

I could put it head to head with your son's car Harry! :-)

John

I'm in. Match race!!!!

[ScottNC]

Sounds like we have a grudge match already. Hmmm, kinda like an episode of "Pinks" on Speed Channel.

Thanks for the tip about the cub scouts. I know a Scout leader who may point me in the right direction of a track to rent/borrow. They'll have to understand though that we don't play by no stinkin rules, ha ha haaaa.

By the way, kits can be found at any hobby and some craft stores. Basic kits are $3-$10.

[Paul7002]

and you'll want SOME rules for height width or some cars simply won't work on the standard track. Weight limits would be good too, Or I'm casting mine in Lead. any place that sells the Cub scout kits will also have the rules.

[winstontj]

and you'll want SOME rules for height width or some cars simply won't work on the standard track. Weight limits would be good too, Or I'm casting mine in Lead.

HAHA.... If I didn't have to be in a wedding that weekend I'd LOVE to be there. The only thing worse than a bunch of type-A fathers trying to live vicariously through their cub scout sons will be you all trying to get down that 50-foot ramp first with your shady interpretations of the rules, etc.

Rules are made to be bent right? It's not cheating unless you get caught?? How many of you fine upstanding individuals won't be able to pass qualifying??? LOL!!!

We used to shave down the tires - somehow we thought skinney tires were faster. Oh and we would put the wheels on a drill and sand them down so there were no rough or uneven spots... Also because wheel bushings or bearings were prohibited we used to use graphite on the nails (axals)

My Pinewood Derby car is faster than yours.....

[brad_c-ville_VA]

you can buy pinewood kits at Michael's crafts, at most hobby shops or online easily enough. the rough rules for size and weight are are listed on the instructions that come with the kit. as i recall the weight limit is 5 ounces or 141.75 grams. there are height, width and lower clearance limits too, but i don't remember those right off. basically the car has to be able to clear the center track guide so it doesn't drag.

our BMWCCA chapter does a pinewood derby every year. we borrow a track from the local cub scout/boy scout troop. that would probably be the best way to go, scott, if you can find one willing to let us borrow it.

i think i might have to re-furbish my 3.0 CSL design for V@V this year then. it came out a bit heavy and the wheels/axles i had sucked arse. need to repaint it as the stripes i hand painted got really messy using model paint and a brush. i've got an 02 and a MINI pinewood racer as well. i usually build them just to look sorta like BMWs...mine never win a damn thing!