SORRY...Life has been kind of nuts.
I wanted to jump right back in with the conclusion of the Pinewood Derby.
The boys were back in the garage the next morning. They had the body of the car all cut out and the sanding was complete. They weighed it, and they decided that it was time to add some weight.
There are many ways that you can add weight to your car. Some just glue coins to the top of of the car or glue the bar weights to the bottom of the car.Others melt some lead and put it into the center of the car. I was hoping we would go with the gluing the weights on.
Oh know that would be too easy.
I think they just wanted to play with fire of course that is just my opinion.
Once the melted lead (fishing weights)foamed into the solid mold, it was time for the next step.
Painting.
The boys went with a red truculent color and a sliver grill also a # 2 for his racing number. Once the paint dried they added all the details and installed the axles and wheels.
Looking sharp and fast... READY FOR THE RACE.
The weight in was at 8:AM. The emotion were running high.
Pinewood Derby Car Dimensions
The overall length of the car shall not exceed 7 inches.
The overall width of the car shall not exceed 2 ¾ inches.
The car must have 1 ¾” clearance between the wheels.
The car must have 3/8” clearance underneath the body so it does not rub on the track.
Derby Car Weight
The car weight shall not exceed 5.0 ounces.
We all held our breath while the official put the car on the race scale and then into the box to check all the dimensions.
WE PASSED !!! We all exhaled with ease.
We received our race # and were put on the table ready for the race to start.
As you can see their are allot of unique race cars on the table.
As the boys walked around the table looking and admiring the other cars. They were already talking about what they could do differently for next year.
It was finally time for the first heat.
All the Scouts lined up. On your makes, get set, GO !
The cars came down quickly. I over head my 29 year old say to another Dad " We are to heavy in the middle" of the car. Then I head my 9 year old say to his buddy "my Dad put to much weigh in the middle of the car"!
The car took second in that heat. Not bad, but they both new that was the best they were going to do all day. As they continued to race heat after heat we watched biting our nails, hoping we would just make it to the next heat. We lasted five heats. Then we were disqualified.
This is our 9 year above (on the left) and one of his buddies after the event was over. Tehy are still smiling, so I think they had a good time !
We did not place this year. However, from the sounds of it we do have a master plan for next years car to take #1.
All in all the Scouts and the Dads had a great time and they look forward to the competition next year.
