PACK 2O1O PINEWOOD DERBY
2015 OFFICIAL RACE
DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION RULES
The Design and Construction Rules described herein apply to the Scout (‘Official’) Division of the Pack 2010 Pinewood Derby. The Official race is the highlight of the Pinewood Derby, and is open to Pack 2010 scouts only. Each scout can race one car in the Official Derby. Official Derby rules are consistent with the rules for the Goose Creek District Pinewood Derby with one exception; GCD height maximum is only 3”. Certain winners of the Scout Division are eligible to participate in the Goose Creek District Pinewood Derby.
CAR WEIGHT
Cars cannot weigh over 5 ounces as determined at the time of registration by the official scale as judged by a member of the race staff.
Weight may be added to the car and will be considered part of the car for purposes of all measurements. "Weight" is considered to be any material on the car that is not provided in the B.S.A. kit. All weight must be securely fastened to the car, e.g. by permanent glue, nails or screws, but not by "sticky substances", e.g. tape, or tack spray. Weights shall be passive, i.e. non-moveable, non-magnetic, non-electric, non-sticky, etc.
CAR SIZE
Overall length cannot exceed 7 inches. Overall width cannot exceed 2 ¾ inches. Overall height cannot exceed 4½ inches. Underside clearance of at least 3/8 (0.375) inches and inside wheel-to-wheel clearance of at least 1 3/4 (1.75) inches is recommended, so that the car will run on the racetrack. Adequate clearance is the responsibility of the racecar builder.
WHEELS AND AXLES
1. Wheels must be Official B.S.A. wheels with B.S.A. markings.
2. Axles must be Official B.S.A. axles.
3. Bearings, washers or bushings on the wheels or axles are prohibited.
4. Springs or suspensions of any kind are prohibited.
5. Wheels must be able to come into direct contact with the body of the car.
6. Hubcaps are not permitted.
7. Car must have adequate ground clearance to fit the track.
8. All cars must have four wheels; at least three need to touch the track surface.
9. The wheels must be placed in the slots provided or drilled holes in the original slots position. If a wheel is broken or wood is damaged and a new slot or hole is needed, the slot or hole cannot exceed 1/4 of an inch from the original position (the original slots are cut at 4 1/2 inches).
10. Only dry-lubricants are allowed. Petroleum-base lubricants are not allowed. The use of graphite pads or graphite powder is allowed. Powder Graphite is the most popular. Graphite will be applied OUTSIDE the Church Building ONLY.
11. Needed repairs must be completed in the pit area and must be viewed by a race official.
12. The pit area is restricted to race officials and race workers. Anyone taking his or her car out of the pit area without permission will be disqualified.
13. Both wheels and axles may be lightly filed, sanded and polished to remove imperfections so the original shape of the axles are not modified. Beveling, rounding, tapering, thinning or any other significant altering of the shape of the wheels, axles, or axle heads is prohibited.
14. Axles must be mounted to the wood body of the car. However, glue or putty may be used to hold them in place. Metal frames and metal axle supports are prohibited. Single axles supporting two wheels are prohibited.
15. The car shall not ride on any type of springs.
16. The car must be free-wheeling with no starting device or other propulsion method or device, such as springs, moving weights, adhesives, magnets, rubber bands, motors, jets, etc.
CONSTRUCTION AND DESIGN
1. Cars must have been built AFTER last year's Pinewood Derby Race.
2. Cars must have been built primarily by the Cub Scout entrant with parental or other adult assistance permitted. At minimum: sanding, painting and proper placement of weights should be completed by the Cub Scout entrant with parental or other adult assistance permitted.
3. Added weights must be of a solid material (e.g., metal, plastic, wood, etc.)
4. Lead shot or other moveable weights are not permitted. (Lead shot is permitted if imbedded in a solid non-moveable material).
5. Added design features are permitted if they comply with all other Design and Construction Rules.
6. Cars must be clean and dry. (No wet glue, wet paint or wet lubricant).
7. No part of the car may extend beyond the starting mechanism of the racetrack. The front of the car must have a minimum of a 1/4 inch flat surface to be placed against the starting mechanism. The distance between the front axle and the front of the car shall not be modified.
8. The basic structure of the car must be made of pine.
9. The car may be carved, sculpted, and/or sanded in order to enhance performance and appearance.
10. No loose or moving parts of any kind are permitted on or inside the car.
INSPECTION AND REGISTRATION
Each car must pass a technical inspection before it may compete to ensure compliance with the rules listed herein. Technical Inspection and Registration of cars occurs the night before the race.
Inspection will consist of the following:
- Weighing on the official race scale
- Height, width and ground clearance check via the “inspection box” or “inspection gauge”
- Visual inspection to confirm the following:
- Wheels and axles are Official B.S.A. standards
- Wheel placement used standard axle grooves or in standard axle grooves 4 ½ inches position
- No part of car will extend beyond starting gate
- No loose/moveable parts or weights
- No “wet” lubricants were used on the car
- All glue and paint used on the car has dried
Failure to Pass Inspection:
If a car does not pass inspection, the owner will be informed of the reason his car did not pass. Cars that fail the initial inspection may be taken away from the inspection area, modified, and brought back for re-inspection. No car may be altered in any way after it has been registered. After a car passes inspection and is registered, it will be stored by the Pinewood Derby Race Committee in an impound area until the start of the Derby. The Inspection Committee will disqualify cars that do not meet the rules as described herein prior to the start of the race. Cars that do not pass inspection of the Official Derby, may meet requirements for the Open Derby. If they meet the requirements, they may race in the Open Derby.
RACE DAY RULES INTERPRETATION
On Race-Day, the Cub Scout must make all questions of rules interpretations and procedures to the Pinewood Derby Chairman or Race Officials promptly. Decisions of Race Officials on questions of rules interpretations and procedure may be appealed to the Pinewood Derby Chairman. All decisions of the Pinewood Derby Chairman are final. Decisions of Race Officials on questions of fact (i.e. the result of a specific race) may not be appealed beyond Race Control and/or Finish Line Judges. Note: Un-sportsmanlike conduct by any participant or spectator will be grounds for expulsion from the competition and/or the race area.
COMPETITOR CATEGORIES
All registered Cub Scouts of Pack 2010 may enter this Official Pinewood Derby.
AWARDS
Awards will be given to the top 3 race winners.
In addition to the timed race competition, every racer in the Pack 2010 Scout Division is eligible to receive a Design award, to recognize outstanding theme or craftsmanship. Design awards will be evaluated and awarded by the Design Award Judges. Scouts are encouraged to choose a theme for decorating their cars. Design Categories are:
- Most Creative
- Most Patriotic
- Best Cub Scout Design
- Most Futuristic
- Best Retro Design
- Best Paint Job
- Best Workmanship
- Most Realistic-Looking Car
- Most Humorous Design
- Best All Around
STAFF AND RACE OFFICIALS
Many volunteers are needed for the PWD Workshop, Registration, and Derbies. Each participating Den shall provide at least one person to work as Staff or Race Official during Registration or the Derby.