Iroquois Pinewood Derby Race Guide Saturday, March 17, 2018 Indiana/Kentucky Regional Council of Carpenters Millwrights Local Union #1031 1245 Durrett Lane, Louisville, KY 40213
Table of Contents: 1. History of Pinewood Derby. Pg. 3 2. The Why of the Pinewood Derby: What Scouting Goals Are Accomplished?...Pg. 3 3. The Pinewood Derby Competition versus Recognition Pg. 4 4. The Official Pinewood Derby Rules..Pg. 5 5. Day of the race: What to expect.pg. 6 6. Day of the race: Schedule...Pg. 6 7. Registration form.pg. 7 If you have any questions, please call: Kevin Huber (502)-262-9593 froggiehuber@yahoo.com
The Pinewood Derby and Its History in Cub Scouting Like many popular Scouting programs, the Pinewood Derby began at one unit and spread nationwide like wildfire. The grassroots program because of its very nature, its inherent merit, and the fact that it is just plain fun went from one father s idea at a California Cub Scout Pack to sweeping the nation in the early 1950s. Cubmaster Don Murphy of Pack 280C, Manhattan Beach, California, had a son who was unable to compete in a local gravity-powered car competition. Murphy came up with a way for his boy and his pack to make and race miniature gravity-powered cars on a small indoor track, and the Pinewood Derby was born. That first derby was held May 15, 1953. By 1955, the Pinewood Derby was part of the official Cub Scouting program and, while always optional, has become a key part of many Cub Scout packs annual programs. Variations of the Pinewood Derby have been developed over the years, including the Raingutter Regatta and the Space Derby, both of which demonstrate the worth (and the fun) of the Pinewood Derby in a slightly different form. The basic elements of this course can be used in any of these variations.
The Why of the Pinewood Derby: What Scouting Goals Are Accomplished? In general, the Scouting program tries to avoid events with a single winner or even class winners. The Cub Scout standard is, after all, that a boy should do his best. We do not, for example, tie advancement to whether a Cub Scout beats the other members of his den in a foot race, but rather to whether he betters his previous standards. The primary methods of the Cub Scouting program including the goal of personal achievement are based on individual achievement and accomplishment, rather than individual victory at the expense of another s defeat. The goals of Cub Scouting are not often extended to include competition or competitive sports, though the goals of character development, sportsmanship and fitness, and respectful relationships can easily be seen to give a special perspective on our very competitive world. While, in some ways the Pinewood Derby is a special case (principally because it is so much fun), we can use the Pinewood Derby to further the goals of Cub Scouting. We can broaden the derby s simple one-winner perspective to a program all participants can feel good about. At the same time, we need to be alert to the possibility of problems that can spoil the boys fun and discourage Cub Scouts and parents. Sometimes these problems have resulted in youth to dropping out of Cub Scouting. Sportsmanship and good citizenship is taught by following the derby rules and cheering on friends and den partners as they race against others in the pack. Personal achievement comes to any boy who picks up a woodworking tool and shapes raw wood into a sleek design. And, by learning woodworking, he prepares himself to more easily serve in the Boy Scouting's service projects. Family understanding is enhanced because building a Pinewood Derby car puts the boy and his mom, dad, or other adult partner into a close and sometimes intense learning experience over, potentially, many hours. It is very clear that any boy who can cheer on a friend in a derby race, when his own car has been previously eliminated, must be said to have had his character developed, if not his car-building skills. But finally, and probably most convincingly, participating in the derby is fun. This is especially true if participation is stressed, and personal achievement is very broadly defined and rewarded. The Pinewood Derby Competition versus Recognition A key element of Cub Scouting is recognition of personal achievement rather than simple victory. We do this by providing a way of recognizing the achievement of each boy rather than simply celebrating the car that was fastest down the track. Every boy will receive a patch for participation and the top 6 winners will receive a trophy. The important thing is to promote the goals of Cub Scouting: character development, spiritual growth, good citizenship, sportsmanship and fitness, family understanding, respect for relationships, personal achievement, friendly service, fun and adventure, and preparation for Boy Scouts.
2018 PINEWOOD DERBY RULES RACING QUALIFICATIONS: 1. Cars must be built with the materials furnished with the Pinewood Derby Car Kit #17006, #17000 or the Wedge #614417(with wheels see #7). 2. Width - Overall car width including wheels and axles shall not exceed 2 and ¾ inches. 3. Length - Overall car length shall not exceed 7 inches. 4. Weight - The complete car shall not exceed 5 ounces. The car may be hollowed out and built up to a maximum weight by the addition of solid material provided it is securely built into or attached to the car. Loose or liquid materials are not allowed. 5. Shape - The car may be of any style, but no part of the car may extend beyond the front bumper which rests against the starting pin. "U" and "V" shaped front ends are not allowed. The most forward part of the car must be less than 5/8 inches. 6. Axles - Only the nails furnished with Kit #17006, #17000 or the wheel accessory kits see #7) are allowed. They must be installed parallel to the bottom of the car as to run parallel with the track. 7. Wheels - Only the wheels furnished with the Kit #17006, #17000 or #614417 OR ACCESSORY KIT #17553-#17557 may be used. a. The tread area may not be rounded, grooved, or shaped to a point. Any other tampering with the wheels will disqualify the vehicle; this includes drilling holes, slots, or lathe turning. b. Don t sand the wheels. c. No wheel bearing, bushing, or washers are allowed. The wheels must spin on the authorized axle. d. If using hubcaps, one each on the front and back axle must be removable for inspection. 8. Lubrication - Any type of lubrication is permitted on axles, but must be applied prior to weigh-in. CAUTION: Some liquid lubricants have melted the plastic wheels. Powder graphite is the most commonly used lubricant. 9. The car shall not ride on any type of spring or have any starting devices. The car must be freewheeling. 10. Details added to the car such as steering wheel, driver, decals, etc. are permissible as long as they are securely fastened to the car and do not exceed the car's size limit. 11. Magnets - No magnetic material may be used on the car. 12. Once the car is weighed in and accepted for competition, it will be placed in the custody of racing officials and will not be taken out until the car is scheduled to run. 13. Cars will not be touched during the race except by the Scout to whom they belong and only after obtaining permission from an official. 14. The car may not be designed in any way which would give an unfair advantage at the starting gate.
Day of the Race: What to Expect: At the Metro Pinewood Derby Race on March 17: If you have pre-registered you will be able to check in and get in the car inspection line. If you are walking in that day, you will need to pay at the door and then get into the car inspection line. To ensure a fair race all cars will be inspected by a team of volunteers and weighed to confirm all cars meet the Official Rules (see pg 5). If there is any question regarding if the Scout s car meets the Official Rules, you will be asked to make modifications to your car before the race begins and will need to repeat the inspection process. All decisions made by the volunteer inspection team are final. If the Scout decides not to modify the car, then the car won t race on race day. We will start our race as soon as we have 16 cars checked in; once you have been through the car inspection line, your Scout will place his car in a holding area and sit in the race area until all 16 Scouts have arrived. NO parents will be allowed past the car inspection line, your Scout will have to walk his car over to the holding area and wait for the remaining Scouts. We will then race those 16 cars down to the top 4 who will then race in the finals at 1:00p.m. that same day. We are racing all groups together, meaning you could race against a Tiger, Wolf, Bear or Webelos. We will continue to race 16 at a time until we get to the top winners which will race at the finals at 1:00pm. Last time to register will be at 12:00PM. This may mean you have some down time. You are welcome to leave and come back or hang out to watch the other races. In any case, the Scouts cars WILL NOT leave the holding area. Race Day Schedule: 9:00a.m. 12:00p.m. Registration opens for all Cub Scouts. We won t be taking any cars after 12:00p.m. due to the set time for our Final Race of 1:00 P.M.
Iroquois Pinewood Derby Saturday March 17, 2018 Indiana/Kentucky Regional Council of Carpenters Millwrights Local Union 1245 Durrett Lane Louisville, KY 40213 Walk-Ins or those who pay after the preregistration deadline will pay $10.00 at the Door Please make checks payable to: Lincoln Heritage Council, BSA Return this form with payment to the Sam Swope Service Center or mail to 12001 Sycamore Station Place 40299 If you have any questions, please call: Kevin Huber (502)-262-9593 or email at froggiehuber@yahoo.com
2018 Iroquois District Pinewood Registration Form March 17, 2018 Indiana/Kentucky Regional Council of Carpenters Millwrights Local 1031 1245 Durrett Lane, Louisville, KY 40213 Open to all Cub Scouts who have not won a trophy in any other District. Provide a roster of everyone that will be racing with your unit. Racers may register as individuals. Registrations may be made via mail, fax, online, at the Scout Office or at the event. Discount for pre-registration does not apply if registering and/or paying at the event. COST: $5.00 per Cub Scout if registered and paid on or before 3/15/18; $7.00 if registered or paid after 3/15/17. Registration is at 9:00 AM for all dens. Lion Cubs will start racing at 9:30 AM followed immediately by the other dens in order. Contact Allan Morgan at 502-400-5556 or allan.morgan@scouting.org for more information. Pack #: DISTRICT: TOTAL YOUTH: CUB LEADER/PARENT NAME: MAILING ADDRESS: CITY: ST: ZIP: PHONE: EMAIL: METHOD OF PAYMENT: (Credit Card, Check, Cash) Name on Credit Card: Billing Address: City: State: Zip: Amount to be Charged: Credit Card Number: Card Expiration Date: CVC (Code on back of card): Fax this in: 502-361-7899 Email this to: allan.morgan@scouting.org Youth Name (First and Last) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Youth Total x $5.00 = $ Mail this in: Lincoln Heritage Council Attn. Iroquois Pinewood Derby 12001 Sycamore Station Place Louisville, KY 40299 For office use only: 1-6801-005-20