PACK 958 PINEWOOD DERBY

March 5, 2005

PLAYING ETHICS:
Good Sportsmanship conduct needs to be foremost in our minds. Parents should teach the boys by example by being good winners and good losers. We have a great many rules to keep this event clean, fun, competitive, and exciting. The fun of entering and the excitement of competing should not be ruined by our desire to win.

 

OVERVIEW OF THE RACE:


1. The Pinewood derby race will be held at Catoctin Elementary on March 5th.

2. The Pinewood derby cars will be raced six at a time, and results will be recorded by electronic timer.

3. Winners will be determined after each car has raced in all lanes. Lowest combined time wins.

4. Each rank level (Tiger, Wolves, Bears, Webelos I, and Webelos II) will compete to determine the fastest car in the rank level.

5. Races will be held to determine the fastest car in the Pack (1st, 2nd, 3rd).

6. Awards for best appearance in Pack (1st, 2nd, 3rd) will also be awarded. NO PRE-FORMED CARS MAY COMPETE IN THE BEST APPEARANCE CATEGORY.

7. All boys will receive a Pinewood Derby patch for competing.

8. The Race will continue through lunch. Families can either bring their own lunch, or purchase refreshments (Pizza, Hot Dogs, chips, sodas etc... menu subject to change by the concessions committee) at the race site.



PINEWOOD DERBY CAR RULES:


1. The official Pinewood Derby kit must be used. You can buy the kit through the Pack, from Scoutstuff.org on the web, from local hobby shops, or from the scout shop in Bethesda.

2. Official pinewood derby pre-molded or pre-cut bodies are allowed to compete in the race only. They are disqualified for the "best appearance" category of competition.

3. The axles and wheels included in the kit must be used.

4. The removal of a bur is allowed on the wheels to make the wheel round; however, the wheels are not allowed to be ground down.

5. Overall width or the car shall not exceed 2 3/4 inches.

6. Overall length shall not exceed 7 inches.

 

7. Overall height shall not exceed 3 inches.

8. Weight shall not exceed 5 ounces. No loose materials or weights that shift are permitted. The car may be hollowed out or built up with weights to the maximum weight. The judge’s scale is the FINAL authority.

9. It is recommended that you use the pre-drilled location for the wheels on the car. It is very important that the cars have a 3/8" minimum ground clearance between the bottom of the car and the ground in order that the car will not drag on the guide strip on the track.

10. Springs, washers, wheel bearings, and bushings are PROHIBITED.

11. The only lubricant permitted is dry Graphite. Graphite can be purchased at the Leesburg Hobby Store.

12. Details such as steering wheels, driver, decals, painting, and racing stripes are allowed and encouraged.

13. The car must be free-wheeling with no starting devices.

14. Cars made during previous years or cars made by other scouts for other packs are not allowed.

15. The parent should help the scout, but the scout should do more of the work than the parent or helper.

16. Each car must pass inspection and a final weighing by the judges before the race. After final weigh-in, the car is removed for racing and may not be touched except by race officials until after racing is completed.

17. The front leading bottom edge of the car must be cut so that the race track starting peg will be able to hold it back until the start of the race.


PINEWOOD DERBY RACE RULES


1. The race is open to all scouts (Tigers, Wolves, Bears, and Webelos), in Pack 958. An open competition for all other family members who wish to build their own car will be held at the end of the race, provided that time is available.

2. Registration of the cars for the race will be from 9:30 to 10:30 AM on the race day. Judging and racing will begin promptly at 10:30, and NO CARS MAY BE REGISTERED AFTER RACING BEGINS. Please arrive early!!

3. Since heavier cars tend to be faster than lighter cars, it is important to have your car as close to 5 oz. as possible. You may adjust the weight of your car the morning of' the race prior to its final registration by adding weights, coins, or screws to the body of the car. Be sure to arrive to the car registration area early to allow time for car adjustments. We recommend that you check the weight of your car using a food scale at one of the local grocery stores before the day of the race so you can get your car as close to 5 oz. as possible prior to the race day.

4. Cars should have their assigned car number prominently displayed.

5. Once your car is registered, you will NOT be allowed to touch or modify the car until after the race.

6. Only the officials involved in the current race will be allowed inside the boundaries of the racetrack area.

7. A car will be disqualified if it jumps off the track in three successive heats.

8. If a car suffers a mechanical problem, the car will be allowed to run again if a repair can be accomplished in a reasonable time. The car will need to be re-inspected and re-weighed by a Pinewood Derby official after each repair.

9. Awards will be given out in these categories: (These are subject to change upon review by the awards committee):

(A) Pack (1st, 2nd, 3rd place)

(B) FASTEST IN RANK (Tigers, Wolfs, Bears, Webelos I, Webelos II: (1st, 2nd, 3rd place)

(C) BEST DESIGN/APPEARANCE: In the Pack (1st, 2nd, 3rd place)

(D) PINEWOOD DERBY PARTICIPATION: Patches to all scouts who participate.

GOOD LUCK AND HAVE FUN!!!