Can Someone help with rules?

[clydesdale]

We would like to tighten up our rules. We are trying to avoid having the same 5 out of 50 cars run away with the event. We would like to use existing axle slots and not allow cutting of the back of the block and adding to the front.

We have bought all the tools and won pack champ. But, we would like every child to have fun and have a chance, including those that the parents can't afford the tools or don't have the skills. Maybe they could then at least come in second in a heat or even first. We want them to feel as if there is a reason to attend. The way it is now, if a long wheel base, pro-body jig car lines up against you, you know you have no chance.

I full disclosure, we became one of those cars because we didn't want to get destroyed. But, now we feel we really should bring this race down a notch for our pack. Please help with rules. How can we make this a little more even for all the children? Thanks.

[topspind]

An alternative to bringing down the level of competition with rules that hamstring the best builders is to implement options that increase the overall quality of the cars that all kids produce.

Here are some ideas:
- Pass out tip sheets with the kits.
- Hold build workshops where the kids can get help and use all the tools needed to build a faster car
- Give kids pre-drilled blocks (canted rears) and and use speed axels instead of standard so that the kids don't have to file burrs off
- Have extra weight and lubrication available at the race so any under weight or unlubed cars can be improved on the spot

Doesn't make sense to me to punish dedicated builders to make other more competitive.

[5KidsRacing]

Jan 11, 2013 11:48:56 GMT -6 topspind said:

An alternative to bringing down the level of competition with rules that hamstring the best builders is to implement options that increase the overall quality of the cars that all kids produce.

Here are some ideas:
- Pass out tip sheets with the kits.
- Hold build workshops where the kids can get help and use all the tools needed to build a faster car
- Give kids pre-drilled blocks (canted rears) and and use speed axels instead of standard so that the kids don't have to file burrs off
- Have extra weight and lubrication available at the race so any under weight or unlubed cars can be improved on the spot

Doesn't make sense to me to punish dedicated builders to make other more competitive.

+1

[clydesdale]

I don't think it would be punishing the best builders, including myself. You are just taking out the modifications that allow you to destroy the competition. I believe those are changing the COM possibilities, like using a probody jig or cutting the back and adding it to the front.

This would still leave shaping, weighting, wheel and axle prep. It seems to me that a kid could give it his best effort and get crushed if he races against elongated wheel bases or back trimmed cars. The ability to change the COM and get that potential energy up is an extreme advantage.

[renner]

Our pack has some of the most restrictive rules I've seen in our Council. I can still build cars that would blow away the rest of our pack. But guess what, my son didn't win last year. Why? Because I wanted him to build his car. Obviously I helped him a fair amount like any dad would, but it's HIS car. He wanted a number of features to make his car unique that slowed it down, but that was his choice and I didn't stop him.

If you have dads in your pack that build their kids' cars for them to win races, you won't be able to legislate that out. I agree with the above posts. Your best bet is to educate the other kids and dads to help them get faster. Some kids don't care if they win or don't want to put in the effort. There's nothing wrong with that as long as they have fun.

So this year I'm putting on some workshops to try to help those kids that want to learn how to build faster cars. I guess we will see how that goes. And as far as my son's car, I'll be letting him do even more of the work himself based on what he learned from last year. Ya never know, maybe he just might win.

[stealthscan]

This is probably a Pack Committee item. Truth is even with restrictive rules, those kids that do not have resources will still come in last. I have opened up my garage to any kid that wants or needs help and it has helped. Our Pack also has a Master of Physics award for the slowest car. We know the "new" BSA wheels elevated everybody right out of the box. I think it is important that the boys learn that the pay off is directly proportionate to the amount of effort put in. Make the resources available and disallow after market parts, and it is "fair" for everybody.

[rooneyhan]

Mar 3, 2013 10:45:27 GMT -6 stealthscan said:

This is probably a Pack Committee item. Truth is even with restrictive rules, those kids that do not have resources will still come in last. I have opened up my garage to any kid that wants or needs help and it has helped. Our Pack also has a Master of Physics award for the slowest car. We know the "new" BSA wheels elevated everybody right out of the box. I think it is important that the boys learn that the pay off is directly proportionate to the amount of effort put in. Make the resources available and disallow after market parts, and it is "fair" for everybody.

Yeah. You are right.