Pinewood Derby Rules and Schedule

Pack 316 had its Pinewood Derby on February 2, 2008.

The Scout Competition is divided into three levels:

·         Tigers

·         Cubs (Wolf and Bear Scouts combined)

·         Webelos (1st and 2nd Year Webelos combined)

The Scouts in each level compete in two categories:

  • Speed:
    • 1st, 2nd & 3rd Place
    • Slowest to Cross the Finish Line (must actually cross)
  • Design:
    • Most Unique (Unusual, different, coolest theme)
    • Best Design (could be due to color, shape, etc.)

The five (5) winners from each level for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, Most Unique, and Best Design will go on to compete at the Crosswinds District Pinewood Derby Championship Race on March 1, 2008. (The “Slowest Car to Cross Finish Line” and Family Racing is simply a fun thing we do in our Pack and these winners do not advance to the District competition.)

Family Racing - Any relative of a Pack 316 Scout may qualify to race. They must race their own car and follow the same official rules as the Scouts.

 

Pack 316 Official Rules

1.      Only registered Cub Scouts are allowed to enter.  A Cub Scout may enter one car and must be present to compete in any category.

2.      The car entered must be built using the materials in the official Pinewood Derby Racing Car Kit, including the body block, nail axles and all four wheels.

3.      The car shall not have been built (whether or not it was run) in any previous year (refinished or not).

4.      The car’s dimensions shall not exceed 7 inches in length, 2 ¾ inches in width, 4 ¾ inches high and shall not weigh more than 5 ounces.

5.      No loose materials or moving materials of any kind are permitted in or on the car.

6.      No live (or dead!) animals on the car.

7.      Wheel bearings, washers and bushings on wheels or axles are prohibited.

8.      The car shall not ride on any type of springs.

9.      The nail axles furnished with the kit may be polished and lubricated.  Lubrication must be applied prior to entering the Fellowship Hall.  NO graphite or other lubricants will be allowed in the Fellowship Hall and may not be applied during the race.

10.  The distance between the front and rear axles cannot be altered.  Axles must all be in the same plane and visible for inspection.

11.  The car must be free-wheeling with no starting device.

12.  The car may be hollowed-out and built-up to the prescribed weight by the addition of wood and/or metal, provided all rules are met and additions, including weights, are built in the body chassis.

13.  Adding details, i.e., steering wheel, driver, decals and paint are permissible as long as details do not exceed the rules.

14.  Wheels may not be tapered or rounded.  The wheels may be sanded to remove any mold marks, but may not be modified in any other way.

 

These are examples of unacceptable wheels.

 

15.  Each car must pass inspection and be registered before it can compete.

16.  Once a car is inspected, weighed and registered, the car can only be handled by the Cub Scout owner for racing, by the Pit Crew for repairing, and by the judges for evaluating design.

17.  The car cannot be altered in any way after the race starts, with the exception of repairs.

18.  If a car jumps the track, the heat will not be counted.  If a car jumps the track twice in the same heat, that car will be disqualified from the race.

19.  If a car does not cross the finish line two times in the same heat, that car will be disqualified from the race.

20.  In the event of a breakdown on the track (a wheel falls off), a repair time of two (2) minutes will be allowed. Only the Cub Scout owner and the Pit Crew will make repairs.  The repairs must be done inside the Fellowship Hall; the car may not be taken outside. One time only is allowed for repairs to a car.

21.  Cars may only be removed from the holding area by the Cub Scout owner for racing, and after the last race, to be taken home.

22.  Following the completion of the design judging the winning and placing cars of all categories will be placed on a display table and cannot be handled by anyone except the Cub Scout owner.

23.  The decisions of the Inspection Crew, the Derby Officials, and the Judges are final.

  

Additional Information

 

  • Hint for weighing cars:  Use a food scale.  You can calibrate it using some US coins.
    • 25 US quarters is approximately 5 ounces
    • 55 US pennies is approximately 5 ounces
  • The deli department in your local grocery store is usually willing to weigh your car.
    •  5 ounces = 0.3125 lbs.
  • Please be on time for your registration period.  We have a lot of races to run and need to keep things moving at a good pace.
  • Final reminder: No graphite (or other lubricants) allowed in the Fellowship Hall!

 

And most important, Have Fun!