PACK 224 PINEWOOD DERBY RULES

These official rules are intended to clarify the standard rules established for Pack and District Pinewood Derby Races.

Rules

1.       The race is open to all Cub Scouts, and Webelos Scouts registered in the Pack as of race day.

2.       A new car must be built each calendar year. This is a Cub Scout/Adult project with minimal adult assistance in the actual design and building of the car. It is illegal to use a car from a previous year.

3.       Each car must pass inspection by the Official Inspection team before it may compete. The Inspection Team has the right to disqualify those cars, which do not conform to these rules. Car owners will be informed of the violations, and given an opportunity to modify the car to meet these rules.

4.       Once inspected, cars are considered registered for the race, and are placed on the starter table, there will be no further contact with the car until the race for which the car is registered begins. Only Race Officials will handle cars after registration. The Official Starter will release the gate after signaling "All Ready" from the finish line judges. The winner is the first car across the finish line. Only Race Officials will be permitted in the track area. This will be strictly enforced.

5.       Cars will be raced by rank, with the ranks being Tigers, Wolves, Bears, 4^th grade Webelos and 5^th grade Webelos. The top two winners from each rank will compete for the overall championship. 

6.       Starting Line No part of the car will extend past the starting line when positioned on the track. Any car with a pointed nose which does not rest against the starting pin properly, may at the discretion of the judges, lead to disqualification. The car may be run backwards if necessary.

7.       First place winners only in the categories of Tiger Cub, Wolf, Bear, 4^th grade Webelos, and 5^th grade Webelos dens of the pack will be eligible to race on the District Level.

8.       The race will be double elimination. Only two cars at a time will race on the track.

9.       If a car loses a wheel and is damaged or leaves the track before the finish, then the car will be returned to its owner and given a limited amount of time set by the judges to repair the car. (Note: the car must still conform to the specifications).  The cars will change lanes and the race will be rerun. If the same car repeats the troublesome problem a second time or can not be repaired in a timely manner, that same car will be disqualified from that days' racing program.

10.   An improper start or any arising condition that affects the running or the finish of the race may, at the Judges discretion, cause the race to be rerun. In the event of a tie at the finish, the cars will change lanes and the race will be rerun with the cars running backwards.

PACK 224 PINEWOOD DERBY RULES

11.   There will be two or three judges at the finish line. Two of the three (or both of the two) judges must agree on the winner, or the heat will be run again. Electronic devices at the end of the track to determine winners may be used.

12.   Un-sportsmanship conduct by any entrant or member of the audience will be grounds for expulsion from the competition and/or the race area.

13.   Late arrivals may run their car down the track after all other races have been completed. This will allow the Cub Scout to earn a Participation Ribbon. Late arrivals will be anyone arriving after the race participants have been registered and the race has started for their class. BE ON TIME!

14.   The Race Chairman will be the final judge of these rules.  The decision of the Race Chairman will be final.

15.   Rewards and Recognition:  The most important values in Pinewood Derby competition are parent/son participation, good sportsmanship and learning how to follow rules. The Awards Committee is responsible for recognizing and encouraging these qualities in addition to traditional racing awards.  Racers will be recognized as follows:

a)           For Pack races every participating Scout will receive Pinewood Derby recognition.

b)           For Pack races every car will be judged and one car from each rank will be awarded a certificate and/or a ribbon for winning its own unique appearance category (Most Creative, Most Humorous, Most Colorful, Best Paint Job, and so on).

c)           First, second, and third place winners from each rank will be recognized.

d)           A trophy will be awarded for the first thru third-place finishers overall in the Pack.

e)           For District races trophies will be awarded to the first, second and third-place finishers in each rank as well as for the first thru third-place finishers overall in the district.

PINEWOOD DERBY CAR SPECIFICATIONS

1. Length, Width and Clearance

a. Maximum overall width (including wheels and axles) shall not exceed 2 3/4 inches.
b. Minimum width between wheels shall be 1 3/4 inches so the car will clear the center guide strip.
c. Minimum clearance between the bottom of the car and track shall be 3/8 inches so the car will clear the center guide strip.
d. Maximum length shall not exceed 7 inches.

2. Weight and Appearance

a. Weight shall not exceed 5 ounces. The readings of the Official Race Scale will be considered final. The car may be hollowed out and build up to the maximum weight by the addition of word or metal only, provided it is securely built into the body or firmly affixed to it. No loose materials of any kind are permitted in or on the car.
b. Mercury shall not be used for adding weight. It is a potential health hazard.
c. Details such as steering wheel, driver, spoiler, fenders, headlights, taillights, decals, painting and interior details are permissible.
d. Cars with wet paint will not be accepted.

3. Wood

Only the wood provided with the Official Pinewood Derby Racer Kit may be used. You may remove some wood from one part of the block and glue it on elsewhere, but no additional wood may be added. The slots provided on the block for wheels and axles must be used. Extending the wheelbase's length is prohibited.

4. Wheels and Axles

Only the Official Scout Grand Prix wheels and axles can be used. Wheels may be lightly sanded and polished to remove burrs, and high places, but the basic size and shape of the wheel cannot be changed. The wheels must retain a flat surface contact with the track. Inside of wheel cannot be drilled. Wheel bearings, washers and bushings are prohibited. No covering is allowed over the head of the axle or the axle itself. They must be opened for inspection. The car must be free wheeling with no staring devices. The car shall not ride on any type of springs. Axles may be filed on the back side of the head to remove any ridge. Axles may also be polished. No other shaping is allowed. Clear glue must be used to glue the axle into the slot.

5. Lubricants

Only dry powdered lubricants such as graphite or white powdered lubricant (may be purchased at hobby stores, auto parts stores, Wal Mart and at Scout Store) shall be used.

SPECIAL NOTES TO ALL CONCERNED

This project is a parent and son event, and is recommended as such by the National Boy Scouts of America. The Pinewood Derby Committee STRONGLY SUGGESTS that each parent emphasize this idea with your son. In all of the events, we require that the cars be built this year.

Sportsmanship:

Two things the Pinewood Derby requires each participant to learn are 1) the craft skills necessary to build a car, and 2) the rules that must be followed. Even more important, though, is how we act and behave while participating in the Pinewood Derby or any other group activity. This is called sportsmanship.

The first thing to remember about sportsmanship is that everyone's skills are a little different. You may be good at something like singing or drawing, but not as good at something else like basketball or computers. Parents have different skill levels, too. This doesn't mean that you are a good person one time and not good another time. You can always be a good person, whether or not you have good car-building skills. Remember, you and your friends are individuals first and racers second. This idea is often called having respect for others.

The second thing to remember is to follow the rules. Without rules, there would be no Pinewood Derby. You will never know if you are really good at doing something unless you follow the rules. This is often called being honest.

The third thing to remember about good sportsmanship is that there are winners and losers in every competition. You accept this when you choose to compete. There may be times when you win and feel happy, and times when you lose and feel unhappy. Being a winner is easy, and losing is sometimes hard. If you win, you must not brag or gloat. If you lose, you must not feel jealous or bitter. To be a good sportsman, you must be able to say, "I did my best" and be satisfied with the results. You must also be able to appreciate and feel happy for someone else when they run a good race or build a neat car.