Pinewood Derby Rules
1. Although the building of the Pinewood Derby cars can be a parent-cub project, the registration and racing of these models are strictly a Cub Scout venture and the Race Committee has the absolute right to disqualify any derby entrant who does not adhere to the rules.
2. Parents are reminded that their place in the Pinewood Derby is that of spectator only. The decisions of the judges will be final on any problems arising during the race. A panel of judges will be determined by the Race Committee prior to running the race and will consist of 5 Cub Scout parents with at least one parent from each rank (if possible). In the event that a decision needs to be made concerning a specific car, the judge representing that boy’s pack will abstain from the decision due to a potential conflict of interest. If this results in a tie, the Cubmaster (Race Committee Chair at District race) will provide the deciding vote, regardless of his/her son’s rank or pack affiliation.
3. Cub Scouts participating and race officials are the only persons allowed in the “Pit Area”.
4. It must be understood that, after registration, all cars are held by the race committee until the cars are individually eliminated during the final race.
5. No lubrication or repairs will be allowed after inspection and registration unless the car has been damaged and then only when performed by the Cub Scout at the repair table, and then the car must be submitted to officials for re-inspection.
6. Lubrication will not be a standard practice during racing. Derby cars will be expected to operate for the duration of the race on their original lubrication. The only lubrication permitted is dry powdered graphite – either gray or white BSA graphite.
7. The only repair materials allowed will be those furnished by the Derby Race Committee. The only lubricating allowed once the car is registered will be on a new wheel or axle that had to be replaced. Wheels and axles will be provided by the race committee to replace rejected wheels.
8. If a damaged car is removed from the track by the track officials for repairs, the car will be sent to the end of the rotation line. The competition will continue. When it comes time for the damaged car to race, if it is not ready, the car will be disqualified by the judges. If the damage occurs in mid heat and the damaged car cannot complete the heat, the heat for that car will be considered as a loss.
9. No alterations of wheels will be tolerated. Again, we repeat, No alterations of wheels will be tolerated. All 4 wheels must lay flat on the track. No coating of any kind will be permitted on the wheels. Cars with wheels that appear to be modified in any way (turned down, shaved, pointed, rounded, grooved, coated, or marked in any way, etc.) will be disqualified. Only official BSA Pinewood Derby Wheels and axles are permitted. If you don’t like the wheels that came with the kit, get another pair.
10. Not all parts of the car are easily inspected, so it is expected that the scout will comply with the rules and do his best to present a legal and competitive car. The scouts are “on their honor” in these areas unless suspicion arises, in which case the judges and race committee have the final authority. Removal of parts to allow inspection of the car may be necessary and is at the judges discretion.
11. The specifications for the cars are:
· ONLY THE OFFICIAL CUB SCOUT PINEWOOD DERBY CAR KIT #17006 IS ALLOWED.
· The Pinewood Derby Car must use wheels, axles, and wood from the Derby Car Kit #17006, no substitutions are allowed.
· Width - Overall width shall not exceed 2 3/4 inches
· Length - Overall length shall not exceed 7 inches.
· Weight - Weight shall not exceed 5 ounces. No loose materials of any kind are permitted on the car. The car may be hollowed out and built up to the maximum weight by the addition of wood or metal only, provided it is securely built into the body. The scales at the race will be the official weight. Prior weighing may be different but these are the scales everyone will be tested on.
· Other - Wheel bearings, washers and bushings are prohibited.
· The car shall not ride on any type of springs.
· Details, such as steering wheels, drivers, decals, painting, interior detail, fenders, bumpers, are permissible as long as these details do not exceed the maximum weight and length of the car or interfere with the inspections process.
· The car must be free-wheeling with no starting devices.
· In order for the wheels and axles on the Pinewood Derby car to be properly inspected, hubcaps, and any fenders or bumpers must be able to be removed. No hubcaps will be allowed during racing.
· If removal of these car parts will be a problem at the race, please have them removed BEFORE the car is inspected. Car parts removed before inspection will not be allowed to be reattached after inspection.
· If the wheels and axles of a car cannot be properly inspected from all angles (any interference from car parts), the car will be disqualified from racing.
· Any parts that fall off during racing and cause damage to another car will automatically disqualify that car.
· Each car must pass inspection by the Official Race Committee Inspection Team before it may compete. The inspectors have the right to disqualify those cars which do not meet these specifications.
· If all of the above rules and regulations are followed at the Pack level, there will not be any question when it comes to the District Race. Please keep in mind, there might be a slight variation in scales but the Official BSA 5 oz. Weight is used at the District level.
· It is also recommended that the cars that won at the Pack level be held by the Pack until the District race. This will prevent damage and insure the same car is used at both races.
Pinewood Derby Procedures
1) All cars must be registered and inspected. This will begin 30 minutes before the start of the competition. Each scout may register one and only one car. For the District Race, this car must be the car with which he won his division at the Pack level. Once registered, the scout may not change cars. Cars must be registered at least 5 minutes before race time to be permitted to compete. There will be no exceptions to this rule. The scout should present his own car for registration.
2) If the above stated rules are followed at the pack level, and the cars are held after the pack race, there should be minimum repairs or adjustments needed. If adjustments are needed, the scout must go to the end of the line for re-inspection. Only scouts or their parents are allowed to make these adjustments. Repairs must be made in accordance to official race rules (see #8). ONCE A CAR HAS PASSED REGISTRATION, IT MAY NOT BE REMOVED FOR ANY ADJUSTMENTS. After registration, the car is placed in the “Pit Area” and the scout will be seated in the “Racers” area. Only scouts that are getting ready to race are permitted in “Racers” seating.
3) When the Cub Scout’s name is called, he picks up his car from the “Pit”, walks through the gate, places his car on the track, WALKS to the finish line and kneels to watch the race. If a Scout is not there when his name is called, he forfeits that heat.
4) After his car has finished racing, the Cub Scout places it back on the “Pit” table and returns to the “Racers” seating. Cars will be released at the end of the 4 heats by the race committee.
5) The winner is determined after all racing for that rank level is complete. The winner is the racer with the fastest average time for all 4 heats. If one of the races is a tie, additional races will be run until a winner is determined.
HOW TO QUALIFY FOR THE DISTRICT RACE
1. The District Pinewood Derby Race will be held on Saturday, May 17, 2008 at Scout-O-Rama. The competition will be run by ranks - Tiger Cubs, Wolf, Bear and Webelos. No graduated Webelos will be allowed to participate. Each Pack may send its top 3 finishers (or alternates) in each rank level. This makes it possible for a Pack to send up to 12 racers, 3 per rank (i.e. 3-Tigers, 3-Wolf, 3-Bear and 3-Webelos). Alternates may be sent if it has been determined that one of the winning racers will not be able to attend. If you know one of the three top racers will not be able to attend the district race, please do not list them but list an alternate. Only 12 names per pack are allowed.
2. ONLY WINNERS FROM PREVIOUS HELD PACK RACES WILL BE ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE. DO NOT SEND A SCOUTS TO RACE FOR THE FIRST TIME AT THE DISTRICT RACE. A RACE MUST HAVE BEEN HELD AT THE PACK LEVEL PRIOR TO THE DISTRICT RACE IN ORDER FOR BOYS TO COMPETE AT THE DISTRICT LEVEL.
3. Each Pack must submit a list of their winners at least 14 days prior to the race. This may be done by sending the list to:
2008 District PWD
c/o Ralph Whitsel
16741 Red Arrow Hwy
New Buffalo, MI 49117
or by emailing (preferred) the list of names to t52eagle@lycos.com (we still need to receive payment for the registered racers).
Please contact Ralph Whitsel 269-469-3057 or t52eagle@lycos.com if you have any questions. Do not send your list of names to the Council office. We need them to enter into our race computer.
Names and payment must be received no later than May 4, 2008. Make sure you list the full (first and last) name, Rank, and Pack number of the Scouts. Also make sure you provide a contact name in case we have questions.
4. Tentative times for the races are:
Rank Registration Racing
Webelos Sharp!
Bear Sharp!
Wolf Sharp!
Tiger Cubs Sharp!
5. A $1.00 entry fee per racing Cub Scout must be paid when you turn in your list of names to cover trophies and individual recognition, no money will be accepted during race registration. If your Pack has not paid then you will not be able to participate.
6. Awards will be given out at Scout-O-Rama on Saturday May 17, 2008 immediately after the completion of the race for each rank. MAKE SURE YOU OR SOMEONE FROM YOUR PACK IS THERE TO COLLECT THE TROPHY(S).
7. Questions on the Pinewood Derby rules or procedures may be directed to Mark Smith or Ralph Whitsel.
Registration Sheet
Pack #: __________ Contact Name: ______________________ Phone: ________________
Amount Enclosed ($1.00 per Scout): $___________
(Checks made payable to: LaSalle Council BSA)
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Please print legible
Mail this sheet WITH your payment to:
2008 District PWD
TBA
LaPorte, IN
46350
Wheel Details