This is the blog of Adam Kalsey. Unusual depth and complexity. Rich, full body with a hint of nutty earthiness.
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3 Jan 2006
My kids and I are in the midst of building pinewood derby cars for Cub Scouts. Twenty years ago when I was a kid my dad and I built great cars that won races all the way up to the state level. Now I’m passing that knowledge on to my kids. They’ve finished in first or second place in every race they’ve entered.
One of the dads in the pack was asking for car building advice and as I was giving him ideas, my wife mentioned that I should publish my tips somewhere. And thus Pinewood Freak, the pinewood derby tip blog was born.
My initial thought would be that a pointed car would be at a disadvantage in that in a very close race, your car might be off to one side when approaching the timer. and the other car might trip it before enough of your car can trip cause the trip. Nonetheless, this should be a consideration in the design of the starting gates and the posts should have a flat face for the cars to rest against -- check out the gate I made for my pack. www.derbygates.com
This discussion has been closed.
jim peters
March 12, 2006 6:24 PM
in three years my son has finished 1,1and 2 at our regionals and the same at districts. at the big race the start post was offset so our pointed car had to run backwards so it would stay on the post. It was the chief of races track so we couldn't do anything but run in reverse, and still finished second. The pointy cars that hit the gate up high all other things equal always do very well. iv'e got other winning hints for another time. What should I do about the start gate at the regionals, for if we make itor fast pointed cars will have to run backwards -again - not the cub spirt i like my son to see.