Pinewood Derby Race for Dam Gathering. Spring 2013

[campmaster-k]

Hey all you racers. I have the tracks. I am varnishing them now so they will be waterproof in case it rains at the Dam. I had a face to face meeting with Grant and he is going to be the one to beat. He is a pinecar champ from back in the day.

I bought three tracks total. So we can have two tracks going at once or one super long track. If we have a ton of racers it might be fun to have two tracks. You are all builders and good ones. There is no reason why we cant have at the very minimum 25 cars in the race. I am hoping for more like 50.







Just like everything else its more fun if many participate. If you need help let me know. The cars are simple to build and cheap so no excuses!

[logman7777]

Hmm..Selection of Adult Beverages and Ribs cooking on the Coleman 3 Burner...No Problem

5lb block of lead encased in balsa veneer with some pinewood derby approved wheels..Easy as pie..

Getting myself to the Dam Gathering..

[Bogo]

Pinewood Derby is fun. Lots of web sites tell you all the secrets nowadays. But then back in the early '70s I ground my nails and wheels smooth, used graphite lube, and even aligned the wheels. I won two years in a row, then they went to that silly wire guided rocket ship and I won my first heat for that by over 1/4th the distance. After that I was a judge...

[Lgboro]

When is the spring '13 Dam Gathering being held? Are the dates firm yet? I'm planning another loooong trip this spring/summer and would be interested if I in a day or so of the gathering at the right time.

[nevadatear]

Won't know for sure until January of 2013

[Gage]

But, it's always in early May. For the most part, the first weekend of May.

[Lgboro]

Thanks for the info I was able to find last years website. I'll try to change my time table and "pop" in from coastal NC. Are the mountain passes coming in from the east usually open by then? Just completed a NC to CA trip and can't wait to do another.

[S. Heisley]

When is the spring '13 Dam Gathering being held? Are the dates firm yet? I'm planning another loooong trip this spring/summer and would be interested if I in a day or so of the gathering at the right time.

According to the Destinations pull-down (under TD Friendly Websites), it is May 1-5, 2013.

[campmaster-k]

Sharon I will be looking for your Pinewood Racer at the Dam!

[campmaster-k]

Doug reminded me to remind you all that the race we are having is a Pinewood Derby race. The kits and car are specific for the track I have and just any car may not fit on the track. It is the same track that the Cubscouts use. I dont want people to spend a bunch of time building a car and not be able to race. If you build a car from scratch it may not fit on the track. To be safe it is best to buy a kit for these cars. There are several brands of Pinewood Derby Racers. They will all work on my track. If you have questions or are confused post a pic of your car here and somebody whos know the difference will help you. Even the "Great One", Mike S. builds Pinewood Race cars.

So join us and we will have a big awesome race.

[campmaster-k]

Here is my ( Marys ) school bus camper racer.

[grant whipp]

I got my kits yesterday, Kirk ... ... going to do a car w/teardrop, so I had to buy two. The concept is solidly set in my head, but I won't be sharing description or pics until I make some real progress ... right now, it's still pencil marks on the wood to see where I need to add more wood ... ...! Bring 'em on, Folks ... this is gonna be fun! ...

CHEERS!

[atahoekid]

I am SOOOOO in. I was a champ as a kid in my Cub Scout pack and I was a Cubmaster for a few years. I knew this experience would someday come into good use!!! So let me get this straight. As long as it fits on the track it's good to race. No weigh in's, no lockdown of the cars after weigh in and inspection, essentially no rules... right? This will be so COOL!!!!!

[campmaster-k]

You are right if it fits it races. The only "Rules" might be that we will have a few categories so that like racers are grouped. Just to make it a little more even for those who go the extra mile and make a trailer or something. Other than that its the big leagues.

And also the obvious things like if it would break the track or something like that.

[campmaster-k]

I have seen, heard and been involved in many discussions and debates in and around the physics of Pinewood racers. The generally accepted theory is that if the car is heavier it will be faster. This is simply not the case. Weight vs drag is a complex subject and with such small masses as we are dealing with the complexities are multiplied. I have seen many a feather light car take the day. If you google the subject you will see that the super fast cars are sleek and aerodynamic. Now back to my SCHOOLBUS!