Modern Princess

    

Gonna kick some pinewood derby butt.

January 9th, 2009 @ 11:38 am

A couple weeks ago the pack 285 cubmaster sends out an email saying that because the December pack meeting was canceled he was going to drop off the pinewood derby kits to all the den leaders. He also said that he had some kits for some of the leaders, but he didn’t have enough to go around so if the leaders who did get a kit didn’t want a kit, then to give them back to him so another leader can get it. Being a newbie to the cub scout world, I didn’t think that I would be one of the “chosen few” but I did think that if I got a kit then maybe I would do it.

Anyway, I wasn’t home that day he delivered, so I’ve kinda been bugging the cubmaster to get them to me before last nights den meeting. Then we had a pack committee meeting scheduled at the last minute, which I also couldn’t go to because I already had tickets to see Legally Blonde the Musical. Fortunately the assistant tiger leader was able to attend, get the pinewood derby kits and fliers, and catch me up on the goings on of the committee meeting.

So, last night the assistant tiger leader and I were passing out the kits and fliers, when we notice that her and I and both got kits. You know what this means right? This means that I’m going to build me a pinewood derby car. Of course, I need to do lots of research and make sure I do this car up right. After all, I’m going to be racing it against some men, who not only have done this before but I get the feeling are pretty hard core about it, so I need to not only hold my own…but kick some butt!

Anyone out there pinewood derby experts who care to give a little ole’ gal like me some hints and tips on building an excellent car? I’d be much obliged, y’all.

More posts like this:

These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.
  • MomBlogNetwork
  • Digg
  • del.icio.us
  • Kirtsy
  • StumbleUpon
  • TwitThis
  • MySpace
  • Facebook
  • Bloglines
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Technorati
  • email
Filed under scouts | Post a Comment

comments

  1. Joseph Durnal
    January 9th, 2009 @ 11:47 am

    As a 4 time pinewood derby winner, I have a few things to say.

    A car built for speed won’t look like much. I should find one of my old winning cars. It is basically a simple wedge, with as little wood as we thought we could get away with at the time, then lead weight was added to get it down to 5 ounces.

    The weight distribution is most important. you want the weight low and to the rear of the car, but not so far to the rear that the front wheels will want to rise. Basically putting the center of gravity just ahead of the rear axle.

    For Alex, there may be more pinewood derby action after the pack race. If I recall correctly, one of my wins was in a district wide race!

  2. Mimi
    January 9th, 2009 @ 12:59 pm

    :heh: That sounds like a blast!

    Mimi’s last blog post: No Wonder People Can’t Afford Medical Care

  3. faemom
    January 9th, 2009 @ 5:35 pm

    That’s awesome! I was always so jealous of my brothers when they got to make theirs. I’ll ask my brothers and my husband for their tips. Good luck!

    faemom’s last blog post: The Newest Monster

  4. Robin
    January 9th, 2009 @ 7:30 pm

    Personally, I think you should give our Aunt Joyce a call. I bet she could give you some tips.

  5. Joseph Durnal
    January 10th, 2009 @ 6:43 pm

    OK, so I’m only a three time winner. And if you don’t count the win when I was a Tiger Cub, I was the only boy my age to build a car, only a two time winner. I thought I had won the four rivers district race at the mall show in 1989, but it was second place! My pack didn’t have a pinewood race that year, they only did a rain gutter regatta.