ClassB at the Allohak District Pinewood Derby
March 24, 2011
A few weeks ago, the Allohak District held their annual pinewood derby sponsored by Pack 311 and Darby Community Church. ClassB was fortunate enough to be invited to judge the design competition.
It was a beautiful day and things got off to a great start as the sponsoring pack served up a hot breakfast of Pancakes. Burgers were offered for lunch, for a small fee.
The opening ceremony was awesome. The leader asked all the Scouts to recite this classic derby poem in preparation for the day’s festivities: My car is wood, The wheels are vinyl, I race for fun, and the Judges decision is FINAL!
ClassB had the honor of judging the cars entered into the design competition. Some of the categories were: military, patriotic, scout-themed, and food designs. The design level of the cars entered was superb and it took our judges many rounds and an organized point system to finally determine the winners, but in the end everyone left happy.
Enjoy more pics of the event.
Attending local Scouting events such as this one, is one of the perks of what we do. Thank you to the leaders of the Allohak District for extending us the invitation!
It was a beautiful day and things got off to a great start as the sponsoring pack served up a hot breakfast of Pancakes. Burgers were offered for lunch, for a small fee.
The opening ceremony was awesome. The leader asked all the Scouts to recite this classic derby poem in preparation for the day’s festivities: My car is wood, The wheels are vinyl, I race for fun, and the Judges decision is FINAL!
ClassB had the honor of judging the cars entered into the design competition. Some of the categories were: military, patriotic, scout-themed, and food designs. The design level of the cars entered was superb and it took our judges many rounds and an organized point system to finally determine the winners, but in the end everyone left happy.
Enjoy more pics of the event.
Attending local Scouting events such as this one, is one of the perks of what we do. Thank you to the leaders of the Allohak District for extending us the invitation!
Pinewood Derby® Coolest Cars Online
January 24, 2011
It’s Pinewood Derby season again and to let the good times roll, we’ve compiled a series of blog posts based on the popular Cub Scout activity of building and racing wooden cars.
In this final post, we thought it would be fun to showcase some of the coolest cars we’ve encountered on the internet. Some of these cars were built for speed, some for smiles, and some accomplish both.
Here they are. We ranked the Coolest Pinewood Derby Cars Online (all courtesy of flickr.com).
We are not sure whether this dragon-racer looks forward or back while going down the track, but his confident expression makes us think he’s pretty fast.
This derby car has the added benefit of being able to pick up wrecked racers along the track.
Ticonderoga® may or may not have sponsored this car, either way, this racer should be able to erase the competition (we couldn’t resist).
A Shelby AC Cobra roadster is a desirable car. Period. Whether it’s made by the Ford Motor Company or from a block of wood. This would have been ranked higher if it had an automotive-quality paint job.
Respect the authority of this racer. It may just flash that lego light and pull over the other derby cars for speeding. The white wall tires are a nice classic touch.
Make your own joke for this one. Notice the creative use of “mustard” for added weight.
Wii think this racer is a great example of the gaming/technology inspired designs that have become popular. Unlike a real Wii controller, on this model, the wrist strap should be removed before racing.
This car answers the question “Who moved my cheese?” Unfortunately, we hear it melted in its first heat.
This Hummer H2 produces zero emissions and instead of guzzling gas, it runs on pure gravity. It may just be the most environmentally friendly SUV ever built.
It goes without saying, but we’ll say it anyway, we think this Spy vs. Spy car is the bomb.
Do you agree with our ranking? Have you got a picture of a pinewood derby that you think is better? Let us know about it in the comments. If we like your car, we might just update our rankings.
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Pinewood Derby® History
January 19, 2011
In Part 3 of our blog series to help get you ready for the Pinewood Derby, we wanted to post some of the finer points of the Derby’s history.
The Pinewood Derby was approved as an official Cub Scout Activity in 1955, but the first derby took place a few years earlier when an Art Director and long-time model builder by the name of Don Murphy got the idea for “a wholesome, constructive activity that would foster a closer father-son relationship and promote craftsmanship and good sportsmanship through competition.” Murphy’s son was ten years old at the time.
Under Murphy’s advice and leadership, 55 Cub Scouts from Pack 280C met at the Manhattan Beach Scout House in California to participate in what would be the first ever Pinewood Derby. The boys raced their cars (consisting of a block of pine, two wooden axles, four nails, and wheels) down a 31-foot racetrack while their excited parents and fellow Cub Scouts looked on.
News of the success of this simple idea, reminiscent of the life-sized Soap Box Derby’s that were already sponsored by The Management Club at the Aviation company where Murphy worked, quickly spread to other nearby Packs. Soon, Pinewood Derby’s were taking place all over Los Angeles. In 1954 Boys’ Life ran a story that described Pack 208C’s first Pinewood Derby, along with pictures and the plans Murphy had used to construct the cars.
Murphy wrote up a rule book and sent it to the BSA. After approval, the Pinewood Derby became an exciting highlight to a Cub Scout’s year. The BSA commissioned a model airplane builder, named Art Hasselbach, to design the first official kit that could be sold to Packs across the country and the wooden racers have been rolling ever since. Today Revell® makes the kits officially licensed by the Boy Scouts of America.
Merchandise related to the derby has expanded to include tools for constructing better cars, awards for fastest car and best design, as well as, custom patches and t-shirts denoting a Pinewood Derby participant.
Throughout the years, many other clubs and organizations have adopted the practice and principles of pinewood derby racing as millions of parents and children enjoy the bond of working together on a common goal year after year. In a letter sent to Scouting magazine in 1996, Murphy called the launch of the Pinewood Derby his “most outstanding accomplishment.” Murphy’s contribution to the Cub Scouts has been commended by President George W. Bush, as well as, National Director of Cub Scouting Alan Westberg.
From one Cubmaster, looking for an activity he and his ten-year old son could participate in together, came an example of cooperation, construction, and sportsmanship that will continue to thrill Cub Scouts for years to come.
For more information on the Pinewood Derby’s history, check out these resources:
Boy Scouts of America: A Centennial History, by Chuck Wills, DK Publishing; First American edition ©2009
Pinewood! The Story of the Pinewood Derby, by Don Murphy, Murphy Enterprises; 1st edition ©2001
“The Pinewood Derby” National Scouting Museum. Retrieved 2011-01-18.
Used by permission. Boy Scouts of America® All Rights Reserved.
The Pinewood Derby was approved as an official Cub Scout Activity in 1955, but the first derby took place a few years earlier when an Art Director and long-time model builder by the name of Don Murphy got the idea for “a wholesome, constructive activity that would foster a closer father-son relationship and promote craftsmanship and good sportsmanship through competition.” Murphy’s son was ten years old at the time.
Under Murphy’s advice and leadership, 55 Cub Scouts from Pack 280C met at the Manhattan Beach Scout House in California to participate in what would be the first ever Pinewood Derby. The boys raced their cars (consisting of a block of pine, two wooden axles, four nails, and wheels) down a 31-foot racetrack while their excited parents and fellow Cub Scouts looked on.
News of the success of this simple idea, reminiscent of the life-sized Soap Box Derby’s that were already sponsored by The Management Club at the Aviation company where Murphy worked, quickly spread to other nearby Packs. Soon, Pinewood Derby’s were taking place all over Los Angeles. In 1954 Boys’ Life ran a story that described Pack 208C’s first Pinewood Derby, along with pictures and the plans Murphy had used to construct the cars.
Murphy wrote up a rule book and sent it to the BSA. After approval, the Pinewood Derby became an exciting highlight to a Cub Scout’s year. The BSA commissioned a model airplane builder, named Art Hasselbach, to design the first official kit that could be sold to Packs across the country and the wooden racers have been rolling ever since. Today Revell® makes the kits officially licensed by the Boy Scouts of America.
Pinewood Derby Cars via Wikipedia Commons
Merchandise related to the derby has expanded to include tools for constructing better cars, awards for fastest car and best design, as well as, custom patches and t-shirts denoting a Pinewood Derby participant.
Throughout the years, many other clubs and organizations have adopted the practice and principles of pinewood derby racing as millions of parents and children enjoy the bond of working together on a common goal year after year. In a letter sent to Scouting magazine in 1996, Murphy called the launch of the Pinewood Derby his “most outstanding accomplishment.” Murphy’s contribution to the Cub Scouts has been commended by President George W. Bush, as well as, National Director of Cub Scouting Alan Westberg.
From one Cubmaster, looking for an activity he and his ten-year old son could participate in together, came an example of cooperation, construction, and sportsmanship that will continue to thrill Cub Scouts for years to come.
Modern Pinewood Derby via Wikipedia Commons
For more information on the Pinewood Derby’s history, check out these resources:
Boy Scouts of America: A Centennial History, by Chuck Wills, DK Publishing; First American edition ©2009
Pinewood! The Story of the Pinewood Derby, by Don Murphy, Murphy Enterprises; 1st edition ©2001
“The Pinewood Derby” National Scouting Museum. Retrieved 2011-01-18.
Pinewood Derby® Design Tips
January 17, 2011
Car Designs are Only Limited by Your Imagination. (via Flickr)
Pinewood Derby season is upon us and we wanted to share some helpful blog posts to get you and your car ready for the big race. In the first post of our 4 part Pinewood Derby series, we discussed how to build your car for maximum speed. Here, we would like to offer some design tips to help you create a great-looking car you’ll want to cherish for years to come.
While parents play a major role in the construction of Pinewood Derby cars, it is our belief that the theme and initial design for the car should come from the Scout’s imagination and plan. If you are the assisting parent ask your Scout to come up with a “theme” or overall artistic idea for the car’s design. Popular themes include: classic cars, stock cars, race cars, object cars (like a pencil car), superhero vehicles, cars representing food, animal cars, cartoon cars, and just about anything else a person can dream up and build. Finding a theme will bring focus to your design and save time when assembling materials and tools.
Before discussing details or materials, it would be helpful to have the Scout sketch out on paper how the car should look. Ask them to add some color to the sketch, so you can anticipate what paints you will need.
Once you have the sketch representing the car’s theme it is time to consider if this design is something that can be built using your tools and experience level. A design should not be too complicated. Some of the best-looking Pinewood Derby cars are actually very simple designs that are well-built and carefully painted.
via Flickr
The next step is to draw a scaled plan of the car’s top and sides that will be used to cut the wood block. Pre-made car patterns are also available online and in books, such as
via Flickr
Once the wood is cut into the pattern, you are ready to paint your car. Automotive-quality spray paint can be purchased at most hardware stores. This paint will give your car’s body a professional coat and shine-just like a real car. Remember to only use spray paints in well-ventilated areas. Allow plenty of time to dry before painting anything else. For detailing, use painter’s tape to block off small areas and use scissors to cut it to outline the exact shape you need. Use a modeling paint, like Testors®, to paint small areas (don’t forget to paint the hubcaps on the wheels).
via Flickr
Once everything is painted and dry, attach any component pieces to the body with a wood glue or epoxy. Always follow manufacturer’s guidelines when working with adhesives. Decals can be purchased in packs from licensed dealers to add elements like flames, numbers, and stripes.
By now, you should have a professional-looking car that closely resembles the Scout’s initial sketch. Don’t forget to take some pictures of your completed car from various angles and have fun showing it off at the Derby!
via Flickr
Do you have a Pinewood Derby car that you are proud of? Leave a comment with a link to where we can see it. Also, for a chance to win a $100 Gift Card, enter your car in our photo contest, by posting it on Flickr with the tag: ClassBPhoto2011. We’ll be awarding a new winner every month.
Check out the blog later this week for Part 3 of our Pinewood Derby Series: The History of the Derby.
Pinewood Derby® Tips For Maximum Speed
January 13, 2011
Photo (cc) via Flickr, Peter E. Lee
It’s Pinewood Derby season and we want to share some tips that will help you and your Scouts have a great time at your pack’s Pinewood Derby.
In part 1 of this 4 part series, we’re going to offer some tips to consider when trying to build the fastest car.
Derby cars have been racing down tracks for over 57 years now and while car designs and the tools used to make them have come a long way in that time, the principles of having the fastest car remain the same.
The difference between having a Pinewood Derby winner and a dud usually comes down to 3 factors we’ll call W.A.W. or “wheels,” “axles,” and “weight.”
First, when buying a kit, inspect the wheels to make sure they are all smooth and perfectly round. If any of your wheels appear to have a minor defect in smoothness or shape, sand them down with a 400, 600, or 1000-grit sandpaper. Lightly sanding the hub of the wheels (where the wheel comes in contact with the axle) to create a smooth, uniform surface will reduce friction on the axle and increase speed. Also, check with your local Pinewood Derby race officials to see what wheel lubricants are allowed. Always follow manufacturer’s guidelines when using lubricants that contain potentially harmful chemicals.
Once the wheels are ready to roll, you have to attach them to your car with an axle. According to DK Publishing’s Pinewood Derby Speed Secrets there should be 1/32″ of space between the wheels and the car body. Give each wheel a spin to see that it is balanced on the axle and make adjustments until all wheels spin without bobbling or shifting forward or back. Also, a wheel should never move in or out on its axle while the car is rolling. A well-fitted wheel can spin up to 20 seconds before stopping. Checking that wheels are all aligned and making even contact with a flat surface will ensure your car will go straight down the track without losing speed.
The final factor to consider when building your car for speed is weight. If you construct your car’s body in such a way that weight can be easily added or removed, you’ll be able to make your car the heaviest allowable weight on race day. Gravity plays a big part in the Pinewood Derby. The heavier the car, the faster it will go down the track. Putty, fishing weights, modeling clay, and small pieces of hardware can be added or removed at the last minute to gain that perfect race day weight. Avoid using lead as a weighing device, as handling it is very dangerous. Pinewood Derby Speed Secrets contains plenty more advice on proper weight placement for maximum finishing speed.
Building and racing a car at the Pinewood Derby has been a rewarding experience for Scouts and their parents for years. If a little care and thought goes into W.A.W. before the race, you may just find yourself a Pinewood Derby champion when it is all said and done. Check back next week for part 2 of this series, where we will cover design ideas for creating a great-looking car.
Are you a Pinewood Derby champ? Do you have any speed secrets you’d be willing to share? If so, leave us a comment!