Thanks to everyone for their time in responding. This is one of many ways that the scouting community makes a difference.
This was our first year in scouts and we learned many lessons that will make the upcoming years both fun and a positive growth experience for both my son and me. All of the responses suggest getting involved; and rightly so. If I had not participated and helped, I would feel less justified in being critical. Just to set the record straight, this year, I made and donated a cabinet to store up to 144 cars for race day. It seemed like an easy task but like most things it took quite a bit of time to do it right. It is something that will last a lifetime and I am proud to have done it, not just for myself and the act of giving back, but for my son to see and learn from. My son and I made three dummy cars to run in races with fewer than three cars. I helped on the day of assessing and approving the cars as well as the entire day of the race, including clean up. I also was a co Den Leader for our Den.
As parents, I feel it is our right and moreover our duty, to provide an environment that is both safe and as fair as possible given the world in which we exist. If my son did not have a fair playing field in school, little league or wherever, I hope I have the courage and strength to ask for change.
Twocubdad:
Good advice about getting involved!
I have already inserted myself into next years race committee, and will do my best to make it a more fair race. It is a real struggle to be positive when you experience your children being treated unfairly. Instinctively I want to protect him, but at the same time I know I cant protect him from everything and I need to set a good example from which he can learn.
Thanks
Scoutfish:
Just to clarify my point about having an unequal disadvantage. I agree that all participants should have the freedom to weight their cars as they see fit. I meant that due to those differences, a problematic track will affect each car differently just because of the physics of each individual car.
ScoutNut:
I hesitated posting because of the sour grapes persona it might create. I honestly only want as fair of an environment as possible and let the best car win. Given a clean race, we may or may not have won, my contention is that we werent given a fair shot.
5yearscouter:
3.. I like that additional award you give! All of the rules that came up in my search gave the boys five minutes or less to repair the car unless it was damaged by another car or the track, in which case they got more time and an opportunity for more help. It only seems fair to allow a minimal time for repair. I think it teaches fairness and that you should learn from your mistakes. The main goal is for the boys to learn and have a positive experience.
4..My point here was that these car designers had knowledge of the track that no one else had access to, nor was given. I was not at all insinuating anything sinister on their part. It gave them an advantage.
Lisabob:
It is obvious that you assumed that I had no basis for pointing out problems. Please refer to my statements above about my involvement in the scouts. I never stated that I wanted to report the volunteers. I want to report the unfairness of the circumstances of the race without assigning blame.
momof2cubs:
As I stated above, I dont want to report anyone. I wanted to find out if there was a formal way to complain and therefore possibly give a BSA representative an opportunity to respond. If no one complains about an inequity, it is bound to continue. I figured that if there was a process by which a BSA official would formally speak with the Pack Leader, it would carry more weight and authority than one or more parents.