GREAT NORTHERN DISTRICT PINEWOOD DERBY RULES AND REGULATIONS

GREAT NORTHERN DISTRICT PINEWOOD DERBY RULES AND REGULATIONS

CAR SPECIFICATIONS NOTE: ALL PINEWOOD DERBY CAR KITS, WHICH INCLUDE WHEELS AND AXLES, MUST BE PURCHASED FROM THE MANCHESTER SCOUT SHOP. EVERY KIT PROVIDES HELPFUL GUIDELINES. 1. Maximum overall width (including wheels and axles) shall not exceed 2 ¾. 2. Width between wheels shall be 1 ¾, so it will fit on the track. 3. Maximum clearance between bottom of car and track shall be 3/8. 4. Maximum length shall not exceed 7. 5. The wheel base (distance between front and rear axles) may be changed, but the axle slots must be kept parallel on the wood block. WEIGHT AND APPEARANCE 1. Weight shall not exceed 5 oz. (the amount of moisture in the air day to day could change the weight of your car). The readings of the official scale will be considered final. The car may be hollowed out and built up to a maximum weight by the addition of wood or metal only, provided it is securely built into the body or firmly affixed to it. NOTE: no loose materials of any kind are permitted in or on the car (i.e. lead shot, coins, toys, etc.). 2. Mercury shall not be used for adding weight (it is a potential health hazard). 3. Details, such as steering wheels, driver, spoiler, decals, painting and interior details are permitted as long as these details do not exceed the maximum length, width, and weight specifications. 4. Cars with wet paint will not be accepted!

WHEELS AND AXLES 1. Only the official Scout Grand Prix wheels and axles can be used. 2. Each car must have no more than or less than 4 wheels. Each set of wheels must be mounted directly opposite each other (a set of 2 wheels is 2 wheels in the front and 2 wheels in the back). 3. Wheels may be lightly sanded to remove the mold projections on the tread. This light sanding is the only wheel modification allowed (i.e. beveling, tapering, thin sanding, wafering, or lathe turning of the wheels is prohibited). 4. Wheel bearing, washers and bushings are not permitted. 5. The car shall not ride on any kind or type of spring. 6. The car must be freewheeling with no starting devices. The tread of the wheel must remain flat and the tick marks on the outside of the tread must be visible Figure A: Acceptable and Unacceptable Wheels LUBRICATION 1. Only dry powdered lubricants, such as graphite, may be used. Regular oils and silicone sprays may soften the plastic wheel and therefore are not permitted. 2. You have an option for your car to be lubricated (dry powdered) or be left as it is with no lubrication. NOTE: You cannot change your mind after passing inspection. 3. Cars may be lubricated before inspection or at check-in. No further lubrication will be permitted.

RACE RULES GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP: ALL PARTICIPANTS AND SPECTATORS ARE ASKED TO DISPLAY RESPECT AND COURTESY TO EACH OTHER AS WELL AS RACE OFFICIALS. 1. Participants must be registered scouts. 2. All cars must be made for this year s race. 3. All cars must pass inspection by race officials from all requirements listed under CAR SPECIFICATIONS. Officials have the right to disqualify those cars which do not meet these rules. Car owners will be informed of the violations and given an opportunity to modify the car to meet these rules. 4. When a car passes inspection it will be officially entered into the race and left at the check-in table, where it may not be touched again until race time. 5. The race will be a timed event. 6. Only scouts and race officials will be allowed in the race area. 7. There will be at least one Line Judge at the finish line to call a re-run or to call a mechanical error with equipment. 8. If a car jumps off the track or leaves its lane and interferes with another car the heat will be run over. If the same car jumps off the track or leaves its lane and interferes with another car a second time it will automatically lose the heat. 9. If a car suffers a mechanical problem (i.e. loses an axles, breaks a wheel) and a repair can be accomplished in 5 minutes the heat will be run again. If not, the car automatically places last in time for that heat. 10. Any participant (including a parent/guardian of a participant) has the right to appeal to the race committee for an interpretation of these rules. The decisions of the race committee are final.

WHO COMPETES ALL SCOUTS SHOULD BE IN UNIFORM PHOTOS WILL BE TAKEN EACH PACK MAY HAVE UP TO 9 COMPETITORS BASED ON THE INFORMATION BELOW. 1. Each Pack may send the following winners from their Pack Pinewood Derby: a. First, Second, and Third Place Winners for Speed (i.e. the three fastest cars of all Tiger, Wolf, Bear, and Webelos Scouts). Your Pack s Fourth and Fifth Place Speed Finishers should be lined up as alternates, in case a boy cannot attend. b. Your First, Second, and Third Place winners from the Best Crafted and Most Original categories. Alternates should be lined up in case a boy cannot attend. 2. All winners must be a registered Cub Scout. 3. All winners must be present at the Regional Pinewood Derby race in order for their car to compete. 4. All winners must be racing their own car. If an alternate goes to the Pinewood Derby he brings his own car, not the car of the boy who could not attend. 5. Cars must be made new each year for the Pinewood Derby. 6. If a boy wins in more than one category for his Pack Pinewood Derby (Ex.: 2 nd Place Speed Winner & 1 st Place Most Original ), that would send him to the Regional Pinewood Derby Race in each category then he will have to choose only one category to enter in at the Regional Race. The Pack would then send the next winner in the other category that the first boy did not choose. IF PACK DIVISIONAL (INCLUDING ALTERNATES) WINNERS PLAN ON PARTICIPATING IN THE DISTRICT PINEWOOD DERBY THEY CANNOT ALTER THEIR CARS IN ANY FASHION AFTER THEIR PACK PINEWOOD DERBY OR BEFORE THE DISTRICT PINEWOOD DERBY. IT IS RECCOMMENDED THAT A DESIGNATED LEADER OR PARENT COLLECT ALL WINNERS AND ALTERNATES CARS AFTER YOUR RESPECTIVE PACK DERBYS ONLY RETURNING THE CARS TO THE SCOUTS AT REGISTRATION FOR THE DISTRICT DERBY.

WHO COMPETES DIVISIONS The Divisions are: 1. First, Second, and Third Place Speed winners for all Cub Scouts (No separate race for Tigers). 2. First, Second, and Third Place winners in Best Crafted and Most Original for all Cub Scouts (Remember Tigers compete in these groups).

REGISTRATION 1. Families may register individually as they arrive for the Pinewood Derby. 2. As each boy registers he will be entered into the system and given a number/letter for his car. This Scout will get a card with his number/letter on it, which he will keep. 3. At the pit crew table the scout has the opportunity to check over his car and lubricate his wheels one more time (he may choose not to). An adult may help with any issues. 4. At the specifications table, race officials will be checking the car s weight, length, and width. If it meets all requirements, the scout registration card will be initialed and the car is then sent to the check-in table. 5. At the check-in table, the scout s car is set on the table and will not be touched again until the scout is called to race. 6. Make sure to enter Cub Scouts for Speed Race into computer in a mixed process so that boys from the same Pack are less likely to race against each other. SCHEDULE OF EVENTS 1. Judging for Best Crafted and Most Original cars will occur prior to the start of the speed races. Winners will not be announced until the end of speed races. 2. A break approximately half way through speed races is recommended. This allows for participants to enjoy a snack or drink and for race officials to verify that all aspects of the event are proceeding as planned. 3. Speed races continue until a timed winner is determined.

AWARDS 1. Trophies for 1 st, 2 nd, and 3 rd Place winners for Best Crafted 2. Trophies for 1 st, 2 nd, and 3 rd Place winners for Most Original 3. Trophies for 1 st, 2 nd, and 3 rd Place winners for Speed DISTRICT PINEWOOD DERBY COMMITTEE RESPONSIBILITIES 1. The District Pinewood Derby Committee consists of registered leaders in the Great Northern District. This committee is responsible for making sure all Packs in the District have the same information. 2. The committee meets once a year in the Fall to review the rules and regulations and suggestions to decide if there should be revisions. The rules packet is then mailed to the Cubmaster of each Pack who is responsible for supplying this information to Scout participants and their families. 3. Committee members will attend District Pinewood Derby to assist and answer questions. 4. The Committee will provide help as needed with proper notification. 5. The Committee will make final decisions on problems that may occur concerning the event or policy. The hosting Pack is not responsible for final decisions involving race issues. WEB SITES There are many good web sites out there. As you look at them and are thinking about using some of their ideas remember that each District has its own regulations and what you do must keep within the guidelines of the Great Northern District s regulations to qualify.