Not a bad day until after the race...
The District Committee Chairman pulled me aside and told me that the boys cars won't qualify for the district race (the next day) because they had guide pins instead of a 4th wheel. He cited this rule:
On its face, it doesn't necessarily disqualify a guide pin, especially since I asked him last year, and he stated that it was worded that way because some scouts showed up with cars they had made with a Lowe's kit a few years back, and others showed up with Pinecar brand wheels. I even emailed him last year asking if guide pins would be allowed, requesting that he reply if they would not be permitted. He never told me they could not be used. The boys used guide pins last year and managed to (very) handily take 1st and 2nd place at the district.Only official Cub Scout Pinewood Derby kits may be used. Any substitutions (wheels, nails, wood block, etc.) will be disqualified. No bushings, bearing, springs, or other kit substitutes will be allowed. Non BSA kits purchased at Lowes, Westlake, and Hobby Lobby etc. will be disqualified.
Now this year, he cited this rule as the reason that my boys couldn't race. I tried to state my case as such:
A) The rules were exactly the same as the year before
B) They allowed guide pins last year.
C) Nowhere in the rules was it stated that guide pins were not allowed or that all 4 wheels had to be on the car.
D) How was a parent supposed to know that they re-interpreted the rules for this year when no clarification was given at any time?
I asked him point-blank why guide pins were allowed last year under this rule, but not this year, even though the rules are exactly the same. He would not give me an answer, and just kept repeating the rule. He said the cars would have to be modified to accept a 4th wheel if they were going to race. We'll see if they clarify the rules for next year, but I'm not holding my breath, considering the chairman's attitude.
Sadly, there was no way to modify my Web1's car at all to accept a 4th wheel, as all wheels have to be in the axle slots. My other two boys' cars could have been modified, with a loss of left-right balance, messed up CoM, and possibly altered alignment. The other two refused to participate in the district since their brother would not be able to. My Wolf flat out said, "If they won't let him race, then I'm not going! That's not fair!" There's something to be said for sibling loyalty. My Web1 took the news the best of all three of them.
In all, I'm hacked off at the district chairman, I feel bad for my boys, but I'm proud of them. They worked their tails off building their cars, they raced well, and stood by their brother, even though his car didn't do as well as theirs and was pre-disqualified from Districts. I just hope it didn't sour them to racing next year.
