Post by Global Derby Society on Apr 21, 2011 8:49:56 GMT -6
My pinewood derby experiences started as a child in the scouts.
The scouts used to be a big deal in St. Louis back in the 70's, and at the beginning of derby season there would be one general meeting at a local convention center. Scouts and parents from all over St. Louis were invited for refreshments, to see car examples as well as the head of the scouts for St. Louis would lecture everyone. The meeting opens up with all the scouts having to stand and take the oath. There was a big screen with an overhead projector for all to see as the lecture progress. The head of the scouts beat to death the idea that parents were ONLY to assist their children not to take the project over. As the lecture went on the Scout leader then tells everyone he is going to show the car he and his son have been working on.
At this point NO ONE had been issued kits. So for he and his son to have finished their car was already a violation. Also back in the day, you did not go to a hobby shop and get a kit, wheels, axles etc...
(slight embelishments below)
So the scout leader reaches down and pulls up what I remember being the most beautiful looking tackle box/car carrier. It was all hand made and stained, with drawers for tools and sections for cars to be held. He pops the clasps off the box and as it opens up (angels can be heard singing Aaaaaaaaa and a light from heaven shown down into the box) While pulling "his son's car" out of the box he continued to lecture that this project was to be competed by the scout. He raises the car up for all to see, and the place went quiet as if someone said E F Hutton. In the midst of the silence you suddenly here an abrupt voice speak up loud...
"WOW DAD IS THAT OUR CAR!!!
"
At that point most of the fathers grabbed their sons and left immediately. This is how I learned that pinewood derby is actually,
"Who's Dad, can build the fastest car"
The scouts used to be a big deal in St. Louis back in the 70's, and at the beginning of derby season there would be one general meeting at a local convention center. Scouts and parents from all over St. Louis were invited for refreshments, to see car examples as well as the head of the scouts for St. Louis would lecture everyone. The meeting opens up with all the scouts having to stand and take the oath. There was a big screen with an overhead projector for all to see as the lecture progress. The head of the scouts beat to death the idea that parents were ONLY to assist their children not to take the project over. As the lecture went on the Scout leader then tells everyone he is going to show the car he and his son have been working on.
At this point NO ONE had been issued kits. So for he and his son to have finished their car was already a violation. Also back in the day, you did not go to a hobby shop and get a kit, wheels, axles etc...
(slight embelishments below)
So the scout leader reaches down and pulls up what I remember being the most beautiful looking tackle box/car carrier. It was all hand made and stained, with drawers for tools and sections for cars to be held. He pops the clasps off the box and as it opens up (angels can be heard singing Aaaaaaaaa and a light from heaven shown down into the box) While pulling "his son's car" out of the box he continued to lecture that this project was to be competed by the scout. He raises the car up for all to see, and the place went quiet as if someone said E F Hutton. In the midst of the silence you suddenly here an abrupt voice speak up loud...
"WOW DAD IS THAT OUR CAR!!!
"At that point most of the fathers grabbed their sons and left immediately. This is how I learned that pinewood derby is actually,
"Who's Dad, can build the fastest car"
[M0n:543]
