Race their car in the Pinewood Derby!

I’d heard the Pinewood Derby is the most exciting time of the year for Boy Scouts. The Derby took place last Saturday, but the preparations began two weeks ago when parents and kids met in a workshop to shape their piece of wood into a car.

Ish had gone with Dad for the workshop to “build his car. The kit contains a piece of wood, wheels and four nails for axles. He painted his car gold and then black twice. He also put some wood polish over it and then painted with acrylic paints.

The preparations:

There were 45 cars racing for the Derby this year, which we heard was the biggest number in a long time.

Some of the coolest cars:

Ish’s car of course which made it in the first 10 in the end

I-Pod racer, a tank and a truck were among the coolest cars

Tiger cubs won 3 of the 5 fastest car prizes. The new hi-tech track this year was sponsored by Santa Fe Movers. It was hooked to the computer and each car was precisely timed. Each car ran 4 heats- once in each track.

Here are a few things we’ll keep in mind for the next year’s race:

• Make the body more streamlined, thicker at the back, tapering to the front smoothly to meet the bottom part of the block. This helps the car to go fast. A truck or iPod racer are cool but not built for speed due to their flat front.
• Weights should be either inserted at the bottom after drilling a hole, or kept in a box which can be taped at the driver’s end. This will help reduce air drag. Also some cars’ weights came off during the heats making them less competitive, and this won’t happen if the weights are secure within the block. To keep the car within the weight limit (ours was 5 ounces), a digital scale is needed. Some websites suggested going to the post office if you don’t have one at home. In any case, scales vary and it is best to add the last few grams in forms of smaller pieces or pennies which can be removed in case the weighing scale used during the competition deems your car too heavy to compete. You can also add a few small weights or a penny or two if possible. The point is to come as close to the weight limit as you can.
• Weights should always be at the back with the front as light as possible for maximum speed.

Ishaan got his Tiger Cub Badge and belt loops he earned during the campout:

The event was a great success, thanks to the parent volunteers, and everyone had a great time.

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