Pinewood Derby Race for Dam Gathering. Spring 2013

[campmaster-k]

Now that Marys school bus is done I started on my new super fast dragster. Good luck beating this one people. Hand polished axles, hand picked cub scout wheels, super fly paint job. B r i n g it O n .

[E. Aaron Scott]

The heaviest car is not always the winner. In my sons pack every year we see people drilling out the bottoms of their cars until they are right at 5 ounces (weight limit for the Scouts) My son always finishes in the top 2 every year and last year he won the district championship in both speed and best in show. Made a couple of guys very upset because they used wind tunnels and high dollar wheels and axles and worked on them for a year. My son never spends more the an hour a day for two weeks working on his.

Now in all fairness I spend a very long time working on mine in the open class (7 ounces) I build basically wooden scale models with BSA wheels and axles. Last year I made a model of a 1980 Chevrolet Truck with a slide in camper (it actually got stolen after the race) This year I'm working on making a model of the Lunar Rover. I don't make mine to win and sometimes they do and sometimes they dont. My goal is to inspire the boys into using their imagination.

[wagondude]

I used the same insperation goal for my derby cars. I built the Hotwheels Deora II for my first one. I also did the Flintstone Flier one year and the last one I did was a FedEx truck.

[campmaster-k]

Here is my competed car. The first one. Axles have been bent so car rolls straight. Graphite has been ground into the wheels and axles. Wheels have been ground to a point in the middle. American flag is in place.

[Gage]

Looks to have too much spoiler.

[campmaster-k]

Gage I hope to see you at the Dam. If you come be sure to bring a race car. I know you could build a fast one.

[Gage]

Gage I hope to see you at the Dam. If you come be sure to bring a race car. I know you could build a fast one.

Well, I'm hoping to be at the Dam this year with it being to last one. I just have to make the drive up in one day. Don't believe I'll have a car. Oh wait, I'll bring this one.

[grant whipp]

... I'm hoping to be at the Dam this year with it being to last one ...

Hey, Gage!

We're hoping you make it, too ... seeing as how you are already registered ... ...! But ... the 20th will NOT be the last Dam Gathering! I've been saying that all along! It's just going to be the last one we make a big production out of (you know: Registration, T-shirts, raffles, etc.) ... starting with #21, you'll just come out with whatever you've got, park where ever you want, pay the campground for camping, do Fri. & Sat. night potlucks, and just have our usual Dam Good Times, without all the "fluff"! Now, depending on how all the folks feel about it, we may (and probably will) make a bit of a production for #25 and #30 and so on, but the bottom line is that the Dam Gathering will keep on happening as long as Dam Good People want to bring their Dam Fine Trailers (or whatever) and keep having Dam Good Fun ... GUARANTEED!

BTW ... I've got a good start on my car, but still a lot to do, and then there's the trailer ... ...! C'mon, Folks ... let's see who else is building!

CHEERS!

[Gage]

But ... the 20th will NOT be the last Dam Gathering! I've been saying that all along! It's just going to be the last one we make a big production out of (you know: Registration, T-shirts, raffles, etc.) ... starting with #21, you'll just come out with whatever you've got, park where ever you want, pay the campground for camping, do Fri. & Sat. night potlucks, and just have our usual Dam Good Times, without all the "fluff"!
CHEERS!

Yep, I knew what I said was wrong but at the time couldn't figure out how to fix it. I knew someone would come along and correct me.

[campmaster-k]

Over the Thanksgiving Holiday I set up the track and had a big race for a big family get together. I learned some things I want to share.

1. My intention for the race it that people will buy a KIT and modify the car to your liking. That way we kind of start off on an even playing field. My brother in law showed up with a huge brick that he put pinecar wheels on, it broke the track and some of the other cars. Moral - dont bring a brick to the race I will not let you race. I am setting a limit of 16 oz.

2. It was really fun to have Trophy's so I am going to try to get a trophy to the Dam no promises.

3. Do not bring a car that is powered. No electric, no rocket engines , no propulsion devices of any kind. One guy brought a rocket car. We told him no. The rocket car had a big end wrench on it to keep it from getting airborn, real safe.

So get a kit and have fun. If your car is to crazy or heavy it will not race.

[campmaster-k]

Once more "If your car is too crazy or heavy it will NOT race". 16 oz limit . Try to start with a kit so we can race and not break the track and the other cars. Thanks and happy building.

The way I see it we will have three weight catagories. Up to 5oz. Up to 10 oz . And up to 16 oz.

[atahoekid]

I think I'm building two. I brought home the kits today, the wife saw them on the kitchen table and rolled her eyes. "You're not regressing are you?" was her statement. I denied that I was, but then again I never admitted to growing up... Can't wait!!!

BTW Campmaster, I think having a track gives you the advantage of seeing your car roll at speed. Not that I blame you. You put in the work on the track, I guess you should reap the benefits...

I also agree on the rules, I just didn't think you had to tell people but in thinking about it, glad you did.

[Roly Nelson]

Since there is no restriction regarding a levitating racer, my entry will be an anti-gravity race car that is powered by the light of the moon. I have not seen any rules forbidding my entry. It will meet all of the restrictions required, and don't even think of trying to restrict it. All I ask is that they allow me to race it after sundown and under the light of a full moon. Little is known of this kind of propultion, and since there has been no mention of restrictions regarding this method, I truely expect to win, hands down. Be aware, that no artificial lighting can be directed toward my award-winning racer, and if there is, my wrath will be un-ending, as I intend to win, regardless. (no candles or flashlights).

I have spent endless hours perfecting this entry, and will undoubtedly be awarded the first place award, without question. Actually, all other cars that are being entered by others, are a waste of time, since my fastest entry is already destined to win. If there is some question of my absolutely positive, first place win, my suggestion to all others, is to drop out and not even try to enter your racer. The high price of your racer and your wasted hours of time that have been spent to improve it, is not an issue, since levitating, anti-gravity, moon powered racers will always win, believe me! So please have my 1st place trophy already personally engraved, as I intend to leave the event with it, as soon as my one-of-a-kind marvel of engineering has won first place. These hours of trial and error, will surely finally pay off, and it is actually the only reason I am attending this gathering. Driving 900 miles, just to lose this race is obsurd. (Unless there is a possibility of enjoying a real prime rib, dutch oven dinner, "this time", and not just spare ribs, painted with primer paint)!!
............Roly, the li'l ol' So Calif TD guy (and race winner)

[Gage]

Hey Roly, you might be in trouble or need a special exception to rule #3. ..................

In ref to:

3. Do not bring a car that is powered. No electric, no rocket engines , no propulsion devices of any kind. One guy brought a rocket car. We told him no. The rocket car had a big end wrench on it to keep it from getting airborn, real safe.

So get a kit and have fun. If your car is to crazy or heavy it will not race.

[campmaster-k]

I think I'm building two. I brought home the kits today, the wife saw them on the kitchen table and rolled her eyes. "You're not regressing are you?" was her statement. I denied that I was, but then again I never admitted to growing up... Can't wait!!!

BTW Campmaster, I think having a track gives you the advantage of seeing your car roll at speed. Not that I blame you. You put in the work on the track, I guess you should reap the benefits...

I also agree on the rules, I just didn't think you had to tell people but in thinking about it, glad you did.

Regressing!!!! I dont think I ever made it to adulthood.

Yes I do have an advantage having the track. But the advantage is not much and since I am the one both providing and distributing the prizes its doesnt really matter anyway. All I can win is bragging rights. I wont be racing for the prizes . I will only race to show you that my cars are faster than Roly's .