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Derby Dad.(Column)
Byline: Rob Krider
Just as the Daytona 500 is the year's biggest race for stock cars, the Pinewood Derby is the big event of the year for a Cub Scout. The differences are minor: NASCAR uses million-dollar cars on a 2.5-mile oval, while the Pinewood Derby races down a wooden ramp using five-dollar kits consisting of a seven-inch block of wood, four nails and plastic wheels. NASCAR cars have more than 701 hp, while Pinewood cars rely on 32.2 feet per second per second (that's gravity).
The idea is that the kids build these cars. Last year, my son and I found out the hard way that "Do your best'' is the Cub Scout motto until Pinewood Derby time, when it's "Let your dad do his best so you have a chance.'' This year, I didn't let my son touch "his'' car until it was time to go to the track.
I got on the Internet and ordered parts from all over the world. I am not the only overzealous father. There are websites and companies devoted to the insanity of Pinewood Derby dads. I bought balanced plastic wheels, precision electronic scales, exotic lubricants, tungsten weights and laser-machined axles. The axles came from Italy. Yes, the same Italy that builds Ferraris. ...
- Scouts compete in annual Pinewood Derby.
- Newspaper article from: Kokomo Tribune (North Union, IN) March 26, 2007 700+ words
...is so powerful," the 8-year-old Cub Scout said at Saturday's Arrowhead District Pinewood Derby in the Kokomo Mall. "My car will be...favorite cars. Noah, a second year Pinewood Derby racer, finished third place in Pack...
- Physics and the Cub Scout Pinewood Derby.(Brief Article)
- Magazine article from: Bulletin of the South Carolina Academy of Science Hayes, Jennifer Dunn, Sean Woofter, Richard Mills, Laney January 1, 2002 700+ words
The Pinewood Derby is a Cub Scout event in which small wooden cars are raced down a track. Each car kit contains a block of wood for the car, four plastic wheels...
- First time's the charm: 6-year-old Cub Scout's Pinewood Derby car has the stuff...
- Newspaper article from: Herald & Review (Decatur, IL) January 29, 2006 700+ words
...as the grand champion among 24 entries in Cub Scout Pack 5's annual Pinewood Derby. The gymnasium of Westminster Presbyterian...start of this year's race was the calmest Pinewood Derby he had seen in more than a decade in Boy Scouting...
- It's not NASCAR, but it sure is fun: Cub Scouts from across region share family...
- Newspaper article from: Sun Journal (New Bern, NC) April 9, 2006 700+ words
...biggest things." Pinewood Derby began in the early...Fillingame. "The Pinewood Derby is for fathers and...suspense of running this (Pinewood Derby)," said Wiley Jr...for the event. The Cub Scout packs were from the...
- Pinewood Derby digital race timer.(directions to build)
- Magazine article from: Poptronics Malone, Doug July 1, 2002 700+ words
...you have ever been involved with a Pinewood Derby you know how seriously the contestants...responsible for running my son's Pinewood Derby races, I was very interested in fair...I decided to design and build the Pinewood Derby Digital Race Timer with an optional...
- Lowe's and Dremel Team Up to Promote Family Activity; The Time-Honored...
- Press release article from: PR Newswire January 13, 2003 700+ words
...racing whether it's NASCAR or the Pinewood Derby. Any crew chief will tell you that...experts demonstrating the making of a pinewood derby car. Whether you're a seasoned veteran...of the clinic is to share tips and pinewood derby car building techniques with parents...
- It's Pinewood Derby Time in an All-New 'South Park' on Wednesday, April 15 at...
- Newspaper article from: Science Letter April 28, 2009 700+ words
Building a Pinewood Derby car is the opportunity for some...episode of "South Park" titled, "Pinewood Derby," premiering on Wednesday, April...that Stan will win this year's Pinewood Derby. He comes up with a plan that...
- It's Pinewood Derby Time in an All-New 'South Park' on Wednesday, April 15 at...
- Press release article from: PR Newswire April 13, 2009 700+ words
...April 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Building a Pinewood Derby car is the opportunity for some good...episode of "South Park" titled, "Pinewood Derby," premiering on Wednesday, April...determined that Stan will win this year's Pinewood Derby. He comes up with a plan that will...
Source: HighBeam Research, Derby Dad.(Column)