Sunday: Scouts bring back soap box derby

Please note that while this scout troop is calling this a "Soap Box Derby" it is not part of, or sanctioned by, the All American Soap Box Derby, the organization that has been running the international races in Akron Ohio for 70+ years.

The cars being used in this race were built from kits not produced by AASBD, do not meet the assembly and safety requirments of AASBD, and would be ineligable for any true AASBD race. This might be a very fun activity for kids and parents, but I personally have safety concerns for the kids. I sincerely hope I do not get to say "I told you so".

Notes to organizers:
Please make sure you heavily hay-bale the left side of that track along that steep drop-off. I have seen cars mor managable than yours hit the side of the road with enough force to continue over that low curb, and once a car gets on that slope, I fear for the driver. There is a drainage ditch at the bottom that will provide a very hard stop. I know hay bales will narrow the track, but you can't let cars go over.

On the right side of the course is a chain link fence just off the road, no large stopping distance. if a car drifts into that fence and the axel gets stuck in the links, it could give the car a nasty spin. While this is not as bad as the drop-off on the left, it still deserves some hay bales.

Consider tire rubber for your brake mechanism instead of step tread. It has a greater stopping power. Make sure than when the brakes are applied, the rubber stays attached to the car and no metal (screw heads) touches the road. You want rubber-on-pavement.

Check and recheck the play in the steering of those cars. Once they get up to speed even a little play in the steering can make them unmanagable and lead to overcorrecting, and that is when cars leave the road. I cannot stress the importance of this enough. What works when you push the car by hand may not work when the car hits 20+ mph.

Since all these cars and drivers are new to this, take time before the race begins for practice runs. First start with a couple of cars half-way down the hill and see how they handle as the speed increases. Then move up to the top of the hill. In AASBD standard practice is for every first-time driver to get a practice run. It make take more time for this, but there is no substitute for safety where our kids are concerned.

Lastly, please everyone, consider joining Silicon Valley Soap Box Derby (www.svsbd.com). They are the local official AASBD group and they need your support. If you enjoy this event, check them out.

The All American Soap Box Derby has been racing official Soap Box Derby races in Mountain View and Palo Alto for many years now! Kids from all over Silicon Valley and the West Coast compete for spots in the official All America Soap Box Derby race - including many Boy Scouts.

Please visit our web site at www.svsbd.com for more information on the official All American Soap Box Derby racing.

Note to specators:
Enjoy the races, but stay behind, no on, the hay bales. be ready to jump out of the way Do not, under any circumstances, get in front of one of these cars in an attempt to stop it. they are very heavy by the time there is a driver in it, and they will be moving fast enough even when slowed down to seriously hurt you.

If you can't find a safe place to watch from, perhaps it is better not to watch. Stay safe. Above the starting line and below the hay bales at the end are probably the best places. Bring binoculars.

Good job Boys!