Pinewood Derby in FEBRUARY!

Hello Pack 310 families!

Hope everyone enjoyed their holiday break- just a reminder:

Our 2014 Pinewood Derby is coming up!

When: Friday, February 7th

Weigh-in Start: 6:00pm
**allow yourself time to adjust weight!!

Derby Time: 6:30pm

Where: Lincoln Elementary Auditorium
Coldstone Creamery will be selling ice cream!


It's not just about speed-- in addition to race winners, 
there are additional car design judging categories:

• Most Gravity Challenged (slowest)
• Judges’ Pick
• Best Design
• Scout Themed

What do I need? The car kit!
It is a block of wood with 4 nail axles and 4 wheels. The kits cost $4 from the Scout Store at the Verdugo Hills Council in Glendale (1325 Grandview Ave behind the DMV, open Sat 10-2) or in Sierra Madre (see bottom of page).
Weights & dry graphite (to reduce friction & roll faster) are also available to purchase there.

Tips:

• http://www.pinewoodderby.org/#/
• http://www.wired.com/geekdad/2009/02/5-easy-tips-for/
• http://boyslife.org/section/hobbies-projects/pinewood-derby/

and plenty more if you search online for "Pinewood Derby tips"

The 2 key things to know are: get the weight right (see below) and make sure wheels spin freely & fast (axles are straight & no friction to slow wheels down, dry graphite works well).

What is the maximum weight? The weight of the car, fully assembled, CANNOT exceed 5 ounces. If it weighs more than 5 ounces, it will NOT be allowed to race. There is a scale in the lobby of the post office on Foothill in La Crescenta that is handy. It *should* be accurate to the one used at the race, but be prepared to adjust/remove weight if needed at the race, if you are right up to 5 ounces.

What if we don't own the right tools? Your den will probably be organizing a workshop day, ask your den leader.

The San Gabriel Valley Scout Shop is hosting a Pinewood Derby "Champ Camp" as a free all-day, drop-in event on Saturday, January 11 from 10-5. (3450 E. Sierra Madre, Pasadena, CA 91107, 626-351-3638) They are very helpful there!

Lowe's in Burbank has Derby Days with demonstrations every Saturday in January from 11am-1pm:
http://dremelderby.com/about-derby-days.html

Call first & verify the store event before you go. It's not really worth a special trip (kits are cheaper at Scout Stores), but you can get a Dremel coupon & a patch. 

Good luck, racers!