Cub Scout Pack 699
2017 Pinewood Derby
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Cub Scout Pack 699
2017 Pinewood Derby
Location and Time
Friday Jan 19, 2017 (weigh in)
Cross of Life Lutheran Church
1000 Hembree Rd. Roswell, GA 30076
Saturday, Jan 20, 2017 (races)
Cross of Life Lutheran Church
1000 Hembree Rd. Roswell, GA 30076
Registration and Race Day Schedule
The Registration / Race Day Schedule is listed below. In order to shorten the race day registration is on Friday night. The starting times are approximate. We will do our best to stay on schedule, but your cooperation and patience would be appreciated. Please try to arrive early; the amount of time allotted for each rank's registration assumes an even distribution of scouts arriving throughout the FRIDAY registration period. Each car must pass technical inspections (weight, dimensions, conformity to rules, etc.) and then registration. Early arrival also will allow additional time for last minute changes that may be necessary to bring your racecar in conformity with the Rules. There will be a Pit Area set up to assist those who must make last minute adjustments to their cars to bring them into compliance with the Rules and Regulations. The schedule is too tight to hold up the race for latecomers who need to make last minute modifications, so come early! Registration will close at 9:15 pm Friday night.
SCHEDULE
Rank / Check In & Registration (FRIDAY 1/19) / RACE Starting Times (SAT. 1/20)Tigers / 6-6:30 / 9:00
Wolf Cubs / 6:30-7 / 9:20
Bear Cubs / 7-7:30 / 9:40
Webelos 1 / 7:30-8 / 10:00
Webelos 2 / 8-8:30
(8:30-9:15 open reg.) / 10:20
Pack Run-Off / n/a / 10:40
FUN RACE / n/a / 11:00
Competition
Each Scout may enter only one car in the competition. The Scout must be present to compete in both racing and car building competition. Someone other than the scout may not represent him on race day. **A PARENT IS ALLOWED TO CHECK THE CAR IN FRIDAY NIGHT.**
- Speed:
The Pack has a track with a timer that can time each race to 1/1000 of a second. Each car will race three times, once on each lane of the track. The speed winner of each rank (and of the Pack Speed competition) will be the cars with the fastest time. You will be racing against time, not each other. There will be trophies awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place for each Cub rank and for the three fastest cars in the pack.
- CarBuilding:
There will be three themes for judging in the Car Building competition:
•Most Race Car Like
•Most Original
•Most Scout Like
When registering, each participant will be asked to designate one category in which they are entering their car for the Car Buildingcompetition. Please have your Scout select a name his car (this is to ensure that no Scout names are visible to the judges). Think about your category in advance. Separate awards will be given for each category. Judging will be weighted equally between the artistic concept of the car's design and the actual workmanship of the completed car. This approach will give the Scouts incentive to consider more elaborate car designs but still do the work themselves. Participant Ribbons will be given to each scout who participates.
Speed awards will be given out at the end of the Competition for each rank. The Car Building Awards will be given out at the end of the race day.
Rules and Regulations
Please see attached sheet for the specific rules and regulations for the Pinewood Derby. Contact Julio Penaranda at r 404-275-4477with any questions.
Fun Race
After the Pack Run-Off, we will allow an open division race for adults, siblings, and friends. The same rules and regulations will apply. Trophies and Participant Ribbons will not be awarded.
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Cub Scout Pack 699
2017 Pinewood Derby
Rules and Regulations
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Cub Scout Pack 699
2017 Pinewood Derby
Background Information
Each year, the Pinewood Derby is a highlight of the Scouting program. It gets its name because cars are made from a chunk of pinewood and is raced on a track. The driving force is gravity. There are both speed and appearance competitions.
Although there are competitions involved, the real intention of the Derby is to give the BOYS a chance to learn while building their own racecar. The feeling of accomplishment he will have after racing the car he built is the real reward of the race. Of course, parents should help with the use of any power tools and offer any assistance needed, but the boy should build the car.
The Kit
Included in the Pinewood Derby car kit is:
•A Block of Pine
•4 Axle Nails
•4 Plastic wheels
•Number stickers
Be careful when opening the kit. The axles (nails) are easy to lose.
The Competition
Cars will be checked in prior to the race. PLEASE HAVE YOUR SCOUT NAME THEIR CAR. Participants will be given an opportunity to bring cars into compliance before they are impounded. No modifications, including lubrication, may be made to the car after impoundment. The cars can be entered into one of three appearance categories:
•Most Race Car Like
•Most Original
•Most Scout Like
Judging of the appearance categories will take place prior to the race.
Each participant will get to run his car on each lane of the track. The boys are racing against time, not each other. The fastest times determine the winners. Each participant will carry their fastest time in determining their position. In this manner, a “bad” run will not eliminate a boys chance to be competitive.
Rules and Regulations
The rules and regulations are those that are defined by our District. Any decisions made by the race committee are final.
Specifications
•Maximum overall length: 7 inches.
•Maximum overall width (including wheels): 2 3/4 inches.
•Minimum clearance under car (to clear track guide): 3/8 inch
•Minimum clearance between wheels (to clear the track guide): 1 3/4 inches.
•Maximum weight: 5 ounces.
Weight
•The race scale is official. It may vary from your scale.
•All weights and decorations must be securely fastened to the car.
•No moveable weights allowed, including mercury.
Wheels and Axles
•Only the official wheels and axles included in the kit are allowed. Solid, one-piece axles are not allowed.
•The wheels may be lightly sanded to remove imperfections.
•The shape of the wheels may not be altered (no rounding or beveling of wheel).
•No wheel bearings, washers or bushings are allowed.
•No springs or other non-solid suspension allowed.
Lubrication
•Only dry powder lubricants may be used.
•Lubrication must be done prior to impoundment. No further lubrication either before or during the race will be allowed.
Miscellaneous
•No form of propulsion may be used other than gravity.
•A wheel that falls off during the race may be replaced. If it continues to fall off, the car will be disqualified.
•Other accessories, including weights may not be replaced if they fall off during the race.
•Cars will be impounded at registration (Friday night) and not returned until either eliminated or at the end of the race
•Only cars made by the boys for this particular race may be used.
•CARS FROM PREVIOUS YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED – WHETHER OR NOT THEY HAVE BEEN RACED BEFORE! Cars that violate any rule will be disqualified.
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Cub Scout Pack 699
2017 Pinewood Derby
Pinewood Derby Car Building Tips
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Cub Scout Pack 699
2017 Pinewood Derby
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Cub Scout Pack 699
2017 Pinewood Derby
Suggestions from the Experts
Following are a few tips to make a fast car. These tips may not give you a fast car. We have seen the block of wood out of the kit with the wheels stuck on do as well as the fanciest, shiniest, most race engineered car. Remember; let the scout do the work.
Wheels and Axles
Smooth, straight rolling wheels and axles are the most important thing for a fast car.
Make sure that the wheels are aligned. Try your car on a flat level surface. The car should tend to roll straight for several feet if the axles are in line.
Use emery cloth to smooth the axles. These are just cheap nails ad they may have burrs under the head. The burrs should be taken off so they don't slow the wheel. Run your fingernail along the underside of the nail head to see if there are burrs that could rub against the plastic wheel and slow it down.
The wheels may also have imperfections. Remove these by sanding lightly. Remember, don't alter the shape of the wheel or your car may be disqualified.
A sharp drill bit just larger than the axle through the center of the wheel can take out any extra plastic and make the hole round.
Weight
Get as close to 5 ounces as possible. The heavier cars tend to be faster. Placement of the weight does not matter. Some say in the rear, some say in the front, some say in the middle, but the real secret is to be at the maximum allowed weight of 5 ounces.
Any type of weights will work. There are weight kits available from hardware stores, craft stores and the Scout Shop. Make sure that the weights don't stick out past maximum allowed dimensions. Be especially careful that they do not protrude past the wood on the bottom of the car. Weights on the bottom need to be recessed to avoid dragging on the track.
If you are close to 5 ounces, make sure you have a way to remove weights. Remember that the Race Scale is official and may vary from yours.
Don't forget that accessories and paint add weight to the car. Take them into account.
Lubrication
Lots of graphite is the rule of thumb. Apply it to the axle and hub area.
The axles and wheels can be put in a plastic bag with graphite and shaken around for a few days until they are slick. Just be sure that the wheels won't fall off during the race and that you wipe the graphite off the wheels so they don’t mess up the track.
Do not use any liquid lubricant like silicone or oil. These are not only against the rules, they will tend to melt the plastic of the tires as well as damage the track.
Car Shape
Up to a point, it doesn't matter. Obviously, putting a sail on it that will cause excessive wind resistance will slow the car down. Some say a wedge is best. Some say a shape like a racecar is best. Whatever you like is best.
Appearance
Be creative.
Take your time and be careful when building.
Paint jobs will look better if you prime the block of pine. Then paint several light coats.
Decals and accessories are available at craft and hardware stores as well as the Scout Shop.
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