pinewood derby car-cubscouts

That's very cool.

Love how he painted the "wheel well" so it looks like wheels are recessed.  Just need to introduce him to Fuchs wheels!  Did you polish the nails holding the wheels on - makes it faster.  Also add lead weight in nose (see if still allowed - its been years).  Use bee's wax on bottom.  

That's awesome.

Awesome fabrication job your son did there! 

He shows his imagination.  Pinewood Derby is a great thing for kids and fathers, good learning experience.  Been through it with my son and grandson and always a blast.

OK I am going to disclose Pine Wood Derby tips that may fall into a grey area so to speak. ....No windshield, too much drag.... open up wheel hubs a few 1,000ths to allow them to find their own center on the "axles" while rolling i.e.kinda like a wheel alignment on the go !

thanks for the info and compliments-precious father and son times!

Take Al's advice my friends.

The old NJ Replicar Club used to have our own Pinewood derby at our annual holiday party.

One year, Dr. Clock won with what we called the "block-o-wood."

All he did was polish the nails, open up the wheels and glue coins on for the proper weight.

.....and that's 100% true, it too me 15 minutes to prep my block of wood racer.. they ban me from future Pine Wood races!

The NTBA (National T-Bucket Alliance) runs valve cover races at their meets for the big guys.  As much fun as the Cub Scouts have with the Pinewood Derby and most of the guys use many of the same "speed" secrets.  Attached is a photo of my Pinto 4-cylinder valve cover entry, I'm sure Betsy was a bit of a wind drag but with the max weight allowed I'm sure she didn't have much impact.  BTW, there was a metal box bolted in the center that was filled with washers and nuts to allow getting to the exact max weight and the wheels were from a skateboard.  I've been dying to run valve cover races at Carlisle but haven't figured out how to transport that big downhill track in my Speedster.            

There used to be several manufacturer Design Teams in my area (SoCal). They would have their version of Soapbox Derby on one of the local hills. These gravity 'Soapbox' cars had drivers. (Sorry for small pics. These are from my 'Clip' file on this site but unfortunately they are reduced quite a bit to be stored in that file).

 Team Mazda

 Team GM

 Team VW

 Team Nissan

Valve Cover racing?

Pinewood Derby?

Soapbox?

Heck...here's what we need to do! Full size pinewood derby racing!!!

You know the hill where we do our annual group photo at Carlisle? There are parallel paved roads running down each side, right?

Park a speedster/spyder/roadster at the top of each hill.

Release the brake, roll down the hill. First one to the cross road wins.

The perfect equalizer! Engine displacement/hp/torque completely out of the equation.

(Sorry guys. No team in the playoffs, Seton Hall not playing today, and I've obviously got too much time on my hands.)

Our car club has a valve cover race every year at our annual BBQ. Our current winner has won every year for the last 5 years...no one knows how he does it and he ain't telling...he always passes our so called 'tech'. I've never gotten out of the fourth heat with my 302 Ford valve cover...LOL

It is a lot of fun with lots of often ribald rivalry going on.

I think Paul M is onto something! 

I think he has a heavy car....

...hidden electric motor.

...Hmmm Paul, I'll need to get a few sheets of plywood  :~)

Actually we could do this in the Hotel parking lot, it's a decent length and down hill.

Yeah Alan.......    And if it rains, we can finish with a submarine race....