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KubKar
Design
The following
specifies the design of KubKars, 18 Wheel Trucks and KubKar Race Tracks as
well as tips to improve a KubKar's performance.
INTRODUCTION
KubKar racing is a 30 year old tradition in the Scouting movement. It
allows Cubs the chance to design a vehicle starting from a block of wood,
carve or cut it into a desirable shape and then race it against other Cubs.
Cubs learn how to use woodworking tools and important aspects of woodshop
safety while under the supervision of leaders and adults. The work can qualify
for badge requirements such are the Tawny
Star, the Carpenter
Badge and the Handicraft
Badge. The Cubs take pride in their efforts, and look forward with
enthusiasm as they pit their car against others in their pack or visiting
packs. The following describes important aspects and standards in the design
of a KubKar. Leaders and Scouts can enter 18 Wheel Trucks.
If you want you can download two Excel 97 spreadsheets
that scores KubKar events using 1, 2 or 3 KubKar tracks, each with three
lanes. Track up to 15 races overall (9 races usually fills an
afternoon);
- 1 track, 44 heats, up to
132 KubKars, up to 15 races
- 2 tracks, 22 heats. up
to 132 KubKars, up to 15 races
- 3 tracks, 14 heats, up
to 126 KubKars, up to 15 races
Includes suggested elimination round, statistics calculation,
registration and race forms.
A complete planning
guide for a KubKar event is also prepared showing:
- Event Information
- Participants
- Tasks to be filled by volunteers
- Equipment needed
- Proposed schedule for the day
- KubKar Challenge rules
- KubKars and trucks construction
specifications
- Restrictions
Another excellent KubKar planning link can be
found at the US Scouting Service Pinewood
Site
General Rules: All cars must start by gravity
from a standstill, at the starting point. No pushing is allowed. To finish the
car whose nose is the first to cross the finish line is the winner. The race
official(s) will decide the winner, and if the result is too close to call, a
second race can be run. If any car leaves the track the race can be restarted.
If the same cart leaves again, the car is eliminated.
These are 25
things that could happen at a KubKar Ralley.
 
KUBKAR
SPECIFICATIONS
WIDTH:
Overall width including wheels
is not to exceed 7 centimeters or 2-3/4 inches. The minimum distance between
the wheels is 4.5 cm or 1-3/4 inches.
WEIGHT:
Overall weight is not to exceed 142 grams or 5 ounces.
CLEARANCE:
Clearance between the chassis and the track should be 0.95
centimeters or 3/8ths of an inch.
Note: Click on the above picture of the KubKar Design to see it
clearer
RESTRICTIONS
Wheel Bearings, washers and bushings are prohibited. The car
shall not ride on springs. Details and attachments may be added providing they
are securely fastened and do not exceed the maximum length, width and weight
specifications. The car must be free-wheeling and may only be propelled by the
force of gravity. KubKars are subject to inspection by an official inspection
committee to determine eligibility.
KUBKAR
BUILDING GUIDELINES
Mark your chosen design on the top and the sides of the block.
Carefully carve or cut to the desired shape. Sand smooth. Paint, stain and/or
finish as desired, preferably with water based treatments. Insert axle through
the wheel and force into slots provided. The wheels should spin freely. Racers
may wish to lubricate axles and wheels using (dry) powdered graphite.
PERFORMANCE
TIPS AND HELPFUL HINTS
To build a fast car, there are several important details to
consider:
First and foremost, is the wheel alignment,
which is necessary to obtain a straight smooth run, thereby reducing wheel
friction on the guide track rails. Next in importance is reducing wheel and
axle friction. This is accomplished by applying a dry lube to the areas along
the axle and wheel bearing points. Also you may want to remove any burrs that
might occur on the axle or wheel itself.
One can carve out the inside of the KubKar and
insert metal washers or bolts to bring the weight of the car to its maximum.
Some feel that if one places the car weight to the end of the car, the stored
potential energy in the race will make a faster car.
Lubrication is the key in many designs.
Powdered Graphite is one type although there are many other liquid lubricants
that may gain an advantage.
One can slightly file or bevel the bearing
surface of the wheel to reduce the amount of friction touching the car
surface.
It is strongly recommended that one refrain
from using weights which contain toxic levels of lead.
Details are important. Take into consideration
the following: 1) Wheel alignment, 2) Axle and wheel lubrication, 3) Weight
distribution, 4) Car design, 5) A high gloss finish.
LIST
OF MATERIALS IN A KUBKAR KIT
1 Block of wood 17.8 cm (7 inches) long, 4.5 cm (1-3/4
inches) wide, 3.2 cm (1-1/4 inches) high
- 5 Black plastic wheels, 3.2 cm (1-1/4
inches) in diameter
- 5 Steel pin axles
- 1 Decal sheet
- 1 KubKar designer ribbon
- 1 KubKar Kit instruction sheet
OPTIONS
AND ACCESSORIES
Check your local Scout Shop and/or the official Scouts Canada
catalogue for KubKar accessories and presentation items. Items include
templates and decals, accelerator and tubular weights, crests, pins and
trophies
Ordering Kits
(Catalogue Number: Car: 71-100, Truck: 71-202):
Kits can be ordered from your local
Scout Store or by writing to:
Scouts Canada
Box 5151 Station LCD-Merivale
1345 Baseline road
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K2C 3G7
Tel: (613) 224-5131
Fax: (613) 224-6022
 
KubKar and KubKar Race Track Photos by Stephen
Braginetz of the BeacoNorth District
KUBKAR
RACE TRACK
The length should be
suitably long enough to allow the cars to accelerate and maintain speed. Some
cars start fast, others maintain speed better. The best cars do both. The
starting gate should be made so that all cars start at the same time. A lane
strip is used to force the cars to follow a set path down the track.
Sufficient cushioning should be placed at the end of the track to catch the
cars and thus avoid damage.
For ruggedness, permanent joints should be glued
with white glue and screwed. All wooden components should be block sanded to
remove any splinters before assembly.
After cutting the four track sections, glue and
nail a strip of 1/2"x3/16" flat molding along the edges to protect
both the track and curious hands. The lane guides are the last parts to be
assembled because all attachments, supports and so on, should be under these
rails. Make a jig to position the three rails exactly, and measure from the same
side of the sections at various points to ensure perfect alignment.
The sections are held together with
3/4"x2" hardwood cleats. They should be fastened under the outside
lanes with glue and 1-1/2" flat head screws. Two-inch stove bolts with
butterfly nuts are best for connecting the sections together. The two end
sections should be mounted on 1"x2" runners to provide clearance for
the nuts, and a stable, flat base for the track. To ensure a smooth and even
race, sections must fit together with precision, Sand and shape the interfacing
parts to eliminate any mid-run bumps.
The curved sweep on the ramp bends naturally into
a smooth starting ramp. It will probably be necessary to weight the short legs
with a bag of sand to keep the track on the floor. Paint the track with either a
urethane varnish or a high gloss enamel.
KUBKAR
RACE TRACK SPECIFICATIONS
List of Materials:
- Part P1 Quantity 1 Size: 4'x8'x1/2"
plywood track sections
- Part P2 Quantity 1 Size: 2'x8'x1/4"
plywood
- Part P3 Quantity 12 Size 8'x1/4x1-5/8"
lattice
- Part P4 Quantity 6 Size: 3/4"x2"x1'
hardwood cleats to join sections
- Part P5 Quantity 1 Size: 1"x3"x8'
pine long legs cut in two
- Part P6 Quantity 1 Size:
1"x3"x3" pine short legs cut in 3
- Part P7 Quantity 1 Size: 1"x3"x5'
pine brace (3x12") and stabilizer (1x3")
- Part P8 Quantity 1 Size:
1"x2"x6" pine brace
- Part P9 Quantity 1 Size: 1'x1/4" dowel
starter post rods cut in 3
- Part P10 Quantity 1 Size:
1"x2"x18" pine starter bar
- Part P11 Quantity 1 6"x1/2" dowel
starter handle
- Quantity 7 2" hinges
- Quantity 14 2"x1/4" lag bolt for
cleats
- Quantity 12 1" #10 F.H. screws for cleats
- Quantity 14 1/4" wing nuts
- Quantity 14 1/2" washers
- Quantity 1 Heavy rubber band
- Quantity 18 1-1/4" #10 F.H. wood screws
- Quantity 1 Box 1/2" brads
- Quantity 4 pints of white paint
- Quantity 1/2 pint varethane
Note: Click on the above picture of the KubKar Track Design to see
it clearer
18
WHEELER TRUCK SPECIFICATIONS
WIDTH:
Truck Cab: Overall width including wheels is not to exceed 8.6
centimeters or 3 3/4 inches.
Truck Trailer: Overall width including wheels is
not to exceed 9.5 centimeters or 3 3/8 inches.
The minimum distance between the wheels is 4.5 cm or 1-3/4
inches.
WEIGHT:
Truck Cab: Overall weight is not to exceed 255
grams or 9 ounces.
Truck Trailer: Overall weight is not to exceed
450 grams or 16 ounces.
CLEARANCE:
Clearance between the chassis and the track should be 0.95
centimeters or 3/8ths of an inch.
Note: Click on the above picture of the Truck Design to see it clearer
LIST
OF MATERIALS IN A TRUCK KIT
Truck Cab: 1 Block of wood 7.6 cm (3 inches)
long, 4.5 cm (1-3/4 inches) wide, 5.1 cm (2 inches) high
Truck Trailer: Masonite wood panels forming a 6
sided box 30.5 cm (12 inches) long, 8.5 cm (3-3/8 inches) wide, 8.5 cm (3-3/8
inches) high
Truck Cab Wheel Base: 1 Block of wood 17.8 cm (7 inches) long,
4.5 cm (1-3/4 inches) wide, 1.9 cm (3/4 inches) high
Truck Trailer Wheel Base: 1 Block of wood 8.9 cm (3-1/2 inches)
long, 4.4 cm (1-3/4 inches) wide, 1.9 cm (3/4 inches) high
- 18 Black plastic wheels, 3.2 cm (1-1/4
inches) in diameter
- 10 Steel pin axles (2 on cab front, 4 on cab
rear, 4 on trailer rear)
- 2 Dowels for smokestack
- 1 Centre Pin
SPECIFICATION
SUMMARY
| |
KubKar |
Truck
Cab |
Truck
Trailer |
| Maximum
Weight |
142
grams
5 ounces |
255
grams
9 ounces |
450
grams
16 ounces |
| |
|
|
|
| Maximum
Length |
17.8
cm
7 inches |
20.5
cm
8 inches |
33.0
cm
13 inches |
| |
|
|
|
| Overall
Height |
Unlimited |
Unlimited |
Unlimited |
| |
|
|
|
| Maximum
Outside Width |
7.0
cm
2 3/4 inches |
8.6
cm
3 3/8 inches |
9.5
cm
3 3/4 inches |
| |
|
|
|
| Maximum
Width Between Inside of Wheels |
4.5
cm
1 3/4 inches |
4.5
cm
1 3/4 inches |
4.5
cm
1 3/4 inches |
| |
|
|
|
| Minimum
Clearance Between the Chassis & the Track |
0.95
cm
3/8 inches |
0.95
cm
3/8 inches |
0.95
cm
3/8 inches |
| |
|
|
|
| Wheels
and Axles |
Scouts
Canada
Kit Issue |
Scouts
Canada
Kit Issue |
Scouts
Canada
Kit Issue |
| Axles
and wheels may be lubricated with a dry lubricant such as dry
graphite or Teflon. It is suggested that silicone spray, WD-40 or
oil not be used as it may soften the plastic wheels. |
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