Standard Detonator
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Editor's Notes
From Dave Mikulka: I have been the Pinewood Derby Chair for our pack for a few years and have also been very active in our district and council races. My youngest son is now a Wolf Cub, so I have four racing seasons left before I will regretfully hand over the reins to the next volunteer. My feelings for the derby are different then most people that are heavily involved in it. I personally feel that the derby should be held at a pack level only. I think it is much too competitive these days. The council races are a nightmare to work. There are far too many parents trying to do whatever it takes to win their son a trophy. In our council, the top four pack cars in each class, Tiger, Cub, and Webelos, are eligible for the district races, and then again, the top four are eligible for the council race. Before a council race, we will get e-mail telling us who will be trying to enter an illegal car. We have disqualified cars for illegal wheels and the parent would just open their little kit and take out a set of "legal" wheels and axles and put them on the car. They knew they might get caught cheating and were ready to correct it. The term "cheating" may be a bit harsh, but we all know that is what they are doing. They don't seem to care what kind of example they are setting for their very impressionable youngsters. We have even had parents that took their disqualified car outside and then brought in a different car to register. There are times when we hear that somebody has entered a different car than was at their pack or district race. Unless a pack or district leader can step up and verify that it is a different car than what was eligible, we are powerless to do anything about it. It is a shame that even in scouting, there are parents that will lie and cheat just to win a trophy for their son. I resist the urge to tell these people just how much easier and cheaper it would be for them to go to a local trophy shop and buy their son a trophy if that is what is so important to them. We try very hard not to disqualify cars from the race. The race is for the kids, and they are not the ones trying to cheat. People are always given the chance to make their car legal if they wish to do so. Occasionally, someone will take their car and go home mad. Then we get e-mail and letters complaining about how badly the derby was run. These people are then offered the chance to come out next year and help us do it the "right way". We get very few takers. A few years ago, I was all in favor of the higher levels of competition and was even wanting a national race for council winners. Then, a couple years ago, I was helping run a race for a new, very small pack with only about 7 boys. Some leaders from our pack took a band saw to one of their meetings and helped cut out some car shapes for them. I don't believe any of the boys or parents had ever seen a derby race as we know it. On race day, it was clear that very little sanding or other work had been done on the cars, There were some very unique paint jobs that were all obviously done by 6 to 10 year olds. Yes, the cars were very crude, but it made me realize just how beautiful they really were. Those of us that were there to help them run their race were trying to keep the boys from playing with their cars on the tables and the floor. You don't "play" with a pinewood derby car! Well, they did play with them, and they had a blast. They also raced them when it was their turn. They did have a winner, but no trophy. None of the boys cared who won and who was last. They all had more fun than I have seen boys have at the "regular" races. That is when I realized what Don Murphy must have envisioned when he created the derby years ago. Yeah, I don't like where the pinewood derby has gone, but I know it can never go back to where it once was. So I intend to be there to make sure each boy has the best time possible. I want to help reduce the amount of parent involvement (and interference) and try to give the race back to the boys. I will paraphrase the words of Mr. Spock from one of the Star Trek movies. The needs of the many boys, outweigh the needs of the few parents." Editor's Comment: I certainly understand the issues raised by Dave, but I can also see the other side. Much of the problem at the district and council races is the vagueness of the rules. Oftentimes, packs, districts and councils do not have their rules in synch, and the rules that are given leave many things in doubt. So a parent that wants the best for their child is in a quandary. I get many calls from parents in this situation: "If we take a car that will certainly be acceptable, it will likely lose badly if the race leaders interpret the rules loosely. But if we do some extra things to the car, and the leaders interpret the rules tightly, then the car will be disqualified. What do we do?" This is where people build two cars (or have two sets of wheels), one considering a strict enforcement, and another a loose rule enforcement. To solve this, there needs to be a clear, crisp set of council rules that lay out what can and cannot be done to the car. These rules need to be widely distributed, and preferably adopted at all levels. Then, the rules need to be strictly enforced by the inspection team. If this is done, then the first year will still likely be a bit rough, but the following years will run smoothly. |
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We offer basswood and balsa wood, along with our craft metal products
at Maximum Hobby.
Basswood is a smooth grained softwood that is great for adding detail to a pine block. For example, we use basswood for the top plate in our Stealth Kit. It can also be used for making fenders, wings, cockpits, etc. 
If you have an upcoming Raingutter Regatta and would like some speed tips, decals, or extra kits, please visit us at Raingutter Regatta - World Class Boats. Our booklet, "World Class Boats", provides many techniques and tips for getting the most speed out of the standard BSA design, and also
shows how to build the super fast Catamaran and Hydrofoil. These boats are so fast, they have been banned from some races!
We also can help with your Space Derby project at Spaceship Derby - Soar to the Finish!. Our booklet, "Soar to the Finish", provides you with all the speed tips you need to build a super fast space ship.
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Axle Extraction Pliers $2.00 Off |
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DerbyDome $1.00 Off |
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Drill Mount $2.00 Off |
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