Let's Derby - Pinewood Derby Track Rental.

Welcome to Let's Derby Racing Along the Wasatch Front Since 2000
Providing Precision Timing that takes the guess work out of racing
The fastest car So far How about yours?
Less than 3/1000 of a second Separate 1st & 3rd place
A Small Sample of cars I Have Come across
A Small Sample of cars I Have Come across

After running Pinewood Derbies across the Wasatch Front for 21 years I have decided to 'retire' and sell my system to The Leonardo Museum in Salt Lake City. The system will be available there for children and adults to enjoy racing on my track for years to come.

I thank all those who had me run their Pinewood Derbies for them over the years. The excitement of all of the children has been a highlight for me.

Welcome

GREETINGS! and welcome to Let's Derby, a custom designed Pinewood Derby track system that takes all of the guess work out of races. No more close calls, near misses or bad judges. All of the electronic components were designed by myself. As you look through the different sections of this site, I hope you will see the detail put into the system.

The starting gate is a fully automatic design. A motor is used to, smoothly, control the gate to lower and raise it into place. A digital finish line utilizes infrared sensors to detect the cars as they cross the line. Large 3" numbers display 1st, 2nd & 3rd place. Smaller .4" numbers display the race time of each car underneath it's place indicator so each car owner can see how their time compares with the leaders.

Three large LED signs display 1st - 6th place. A wireless module is used for the data transmission so the signs can be placed anywhere in the room for best visibility. At the end of the race, the signs can scroll through the entire standings so every Cub can see where they placed.

When the Cub's car is weighed and checked in, their name is entered into the system so the LED signs can display their name along with the time of their car. Nothing excites the Cub more than seeing their name up on a Leader Board.

People have told me this is the best track they have ever seen and is very professionally done. Just give me a call or send an email to schedule your next pinewood derby race.

Digital Finish Line

The Finish Line has a resolution of .0001 seconds. There have been cars .0001 seconds apart. Let's see you 'eye-ball' those...

Great Fun

Audiences have said this is the best setup they have ever seen, "Very Professional"

Leader Board

Large LED Signs show the top six cars through the entire race. We average all lane times so we get an average performance for each car.

Fun Races

Once Pack Meeting is over, Cubs and siblings can race for fun as long as they want... Well, as long as Mom & Dad will let them.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What do you provide?

I have everything needed for the race (except awards):

A 32' long, three lane track and a digital finish line with a resolution of .0001 seconds.
A scale that measures to .005 oz.
A glue gun so people can glue weights onto their cars, if needed.
Ropes for each side of the track to keep children from crossing it.
A wireless microphone for both you and myself.
A holder for the cars to keep them safe.
I will assemble the track system, run the race and disassemble the track.
I inspect each car to make sure it will run on the track properly.
Most of all, a fun attitude to help ensure everybody has a great time.

Are there any rules for the cars?

These rules are just a suggestion. I gave each boy a copy when I was a Cubmaster.

ALL CARS MUST PASS INSPECTION TO QUALIFY FOR THE RACE

Following are the inspection points
1. The car weight shall not exceed 5.0 ounces. The official race scale shall be considered final.
2. The overall length of the car shall not exceed 7 inches.
3. The overall width of the car shall not exceed 2-3/4 inches.
4. The car must have 1-3/4 inches clearance between the wheels to accommodate the race lane.
5. The car must have 3/8 inch clearance underneath the body.
6. The car must be less than 5" in height to clear the finish line.
7. The wood provided in the kit may be used. If a different piece will be used, it must be pine.
8. Official Pinewood Derby wheels must be used.
9. Official Pinewood Derby axles must be used. They may be polished/lubricated. Only graphite or dry Teflon powder may be used.
10. Wheel bearings, washers or bushings are prohibited.
11. The car must not ride on any type of spring.
12. The car must be free-wheeling, with no starting devices.
13. All weight material must be secured so it is not moving during the race.

Is there anything I need to do at the race?

Have the building open an hour prior to Pack Meeting start time.
A long table will be needed where the cars will be checked in. This will be used to weigh the cars and enter the boy's name into the system via a keyboard.
You or one of your leaders will be responsible for entering the boys into the system so the cars can be tracked for timing and placement.
We'll need three smaller tables - one to place a laser printer on, one for a pit stop area and one to place the cars on during the race.
Once I get the track assembled, two or three rows of chairs can be set up on each side of the track.

How do you run the race?

I will arrive at your location an hour before race time to set up the track.
You may open your Pack Meeting however you wish. When it's race time, simply turn the time over to me.
I will describe how the race is done to the audience. I will run the race and play MC while you just sit back and enjoy the show. If there happens to be any 'crashes' or needs for 'pitstops' I have a few jokes to keep everybody entertained while the cars are being worked on.
When the races are finished I'll turn the time back over to you to give out awards.
When Pack Meeting is over the boys and siblings can race, for fun, as long as Mom & Dad will let them (well, almost, some boys would race all night if they could).

Do you do races other than for Cub Scouts?

I do races for Activity Days, Elders Quorums, YM/YW, Single Adults and also Businesses.
Activity Day - The girls can have just as much fun as the boys do. It can even be turned into a Daddy/Daughter date.
A good Elders Quorum activity is to have a Pot Luck dinner date with their spouse and have a 'team' car to race together.
Races can be an 'unlimited' type.
There are a few restrictions:
1. No flames or liquids.
2. No longer than 7" in length.
3. No more than 2-3/4" in width.
4. At least 1-3/4" space between the wheels (width wise)
5. 3/8" clearance under the car.
6. Be less than 5" in height.
7. Each car must not exceed 8 oz.
I had one race where wheels were placed on an eight pound dumbbell. Needless to say, it didn't go so well...
I've done a race where the entire ward was invited to participate. There were 50+ cars.
One Single Adults race was a 'Potato Race'. Instead of using wood they carved out large potatoes and stuck the wheels to the sides. It was rather interesting and funny but extremely MESSY. No more potato races...
Businesses are charged the same fee plus an hourly rate for the amount of time I need to take off from work since most businesses will want to have the activity during work hours. If the race is after business hours and I don't need to leave work early, there's no extra charge.

What payment method do you accept?

Ward, Personal or Company check or Cash is accepted. Checks should be made out to Ronald Nielsen.
I now accept Venmo.
Payment is due before we all go home for the evening.
I provide a receipt so you can be reimbursed for the cost.
I can email a receipt prior to the race in case you would like to have a Ward Check issued before the race. I would just need an email address to send it to.

Do you have any suggestions for the Pack Meeting?

Serve some sort of refreshment at the end of Pack Meeting. Remember, we have little children running around.

I have seen a variety of refreshments served. Popcorn is, by far, the worst as it ends up all over the floor.
Twinkies with Oreos attached to look like cars is a good one that doesn't make a mess.
Cookies work well and don't crumb all over.
Water is best since there are so many little ones running around and a sugary drink always ends up on the floor, making a sticky mess.
Basically, something that won't be hard to clean up.

I have seen activities like a Hot Wheel race track for the younger children to keep them occupied while we're waiting for the cars to be checked in.
If possible, have the cars weighed in one or two days before the race so Pack Meeting can get started on time. If that's not possible have people start showing up 20 - 30 minutes early to start checking the cars in.
Decorations are always a fun addition. There are numerous resources available on the internet.