On Jun 6, 11:39*am, dpb wrote:
DerbyDad03 wrote:

...snip long story of precision derby cars...
which is basically why I lost interest in it even as a kid way back
when--it wasn't we kids who had anything to do w/ it...

--

it wasn't we kids who had anything to do w/ it

I won't speak to how other families deal with it, but my kids are
involved in every step of the building and tuning process. As long as
it's safe, they're getting dirty right next to me. When they were
younger they watched me use the power tools and when they were old
enough they jumped right in. All along the way, they sand, wrench,
paint and do whatever is needed to build them the best car possible.

I've got pictures of my 13 YO son cutting steel rod on a miter saw and
my 14 YO daughter can use a torque wrench, belt sander, etc.. All of
my kids are familiar with the itch of fiberglass, the smell of bondo
and know what happens if you apply too much paint.

These experiences go well beyond Derby. Years after helping me build
his World Championship car, my son wanted to modify a cart he used for
his lawn mowing "business". Since he knew what could be done with
metal and the proper tools, he came to me one day and asked me to help
him make bracket to make the cart easier to tilt. If I had just put
him in a Derby car and sent him down the hill, he might never of even
had the idea of modifying his cart. Our success has also shown them
how important attention to detail is. Not only do we build winning
cars together, but we talk about how the things we see while racing
apply to all aspects of life.

This year it's back to Akron with my daughter to try for another World
Championship in a car that she has as many hours building as I do.