I. SPECIAL NOTES Building the Pinewood Derby car is a parent and son event. Cars should be built by the Scout with some adult guidance. Any technical assistance should be fully explained to the Scout so that he can use that knowledge on future projects. Two things the Pinewood Derby requires each participant to learn are: 1) the craft skills necessary to build a car 2) the rules that must be followed Even more important, though, is how we act and behave while participating in the Pinewood Derby or any other group activity. This is called sportsmanship. The first thing to remember about sportsmanship is that everyone's skills are a little different. You may be good at something like singing or drawing, but not as good at something else like basketball or computers. Parents have different skill levels, too. This doesn't mean that you are a good person one time and not good another time. You can always be a good person, whether or not you have good car-building skills. Remember, you and your friends are individuals first and racers second. This idea is often called having respect for others. The second thing to remember is to follow the rules. Without rules, there would be no Pinewood Derby. You will never know if you are really good at doing something unless you follow the rules. This is often called being honest. The third thing to remember about good sportsmanship is that there are winners and losers in every competition. You accept this when you choose to compete. There may be times when you win and feel happy, and times when you lose and feel unhappy. Being a winner is easy, and losing is sometimes hard. If you win, you must not brag or gloat. If you lose, you must not feel jealous or bitter. To be a good sportsman, you must be able to say, "I did my best" and be satisfied with the results. You must also be able to appreciate and feel happy for someone else when he runs a good race or builds a neat car. 1
II. GENERAL RULES G-1. Qualification: All registered Pack 11 Tiger, Cub and Webelos Scouts may design, build and enter cars that are eligible to participate in the Pinewood Derby. G-2. Essential Materials: All cars entered shall be constructed from the "Official Grand Prix Pinewood Derby Kit" (referred to below as the kit) as distributed at the December Pack Holiday Party. Additional kits may be purchased from the Valley Forge Scout Shop or Philadelphia Scout Shop. G-3. Competitor Categories: All Scouts of the Pack will compete against each other. The Scouts are NOT broken into separate categories whose winners go on to compete together to determine an ultimate winner. Nobody is eliminated; everyone races at least eight times. The track has four lanes. Scouts will race in each lane twice. Note: If there is time, additional races may be run beyond the initial eight. G-4. Attendance: The Scout MUST enter his own car. G-5. "New Work": Construction of ALL entries MUST have begun AFTER last year's Pack 11 Pinewood Derby. G-6. Single Entry per Person: Only one car may be registered by any person in the Pinewood Derby. G-7. Inspection and Registration: Each car must pass a technical inspection before it may compete. Technical inspection and registration of cars occurs during Weigh-In on the day of the race or the day preceding the race. However, in order to avoid any inspection problems, it is highly recommended that cars be inspected during the Pre-race Meeting (see schedule for exact date and time for Pre-race meeting) OR with the lead Pinewood Derby official (as dictated each year). Note: Due to time & place constraints, a Pre-race Meeting may not be held. G-8. Front of Car: The front of the car will be designated by the scout during Weigh-In and may not be changed during the race. Note: To determine which way your car runs faster, it is recommended that you attend the Pre-race Meeting (or Weigh-In) and test your car both ways. G-9. Failure to Pass Inspection: The Inspection Committee shall disqualify cars, which do not meet the rules as described herein. If a car does not pass inspection, the owner will be informed of the reason his car did not pass. Cars, which fail the inspection, may be adjusted, if possible, to meet the specifications at a special table set-up during Weigh-In. G-10. Impound: No car may be altered in any way after it has been inspected and registered. After a car passes inspection/registration, it will be placed in the Pit Stop until the races begin. The Pit Stop and its surrounding area are off limits to all except for Racing Officials. Once a car has passed inspection, no modifications to it will be allowed. Anyone handling his car, without permission from the Race Committee, after it passes inspection will be disqualified. 2
G-11. Car Design Rules Interpretation: Interpretation of the rules described in G1 through G- 11 and T-1 thru T-8 are at the sole discretion of the Inspection Committee Judges present during the Weigh-In / Inspection process. G12. Race-Day Rules Interpretation: On Race-Day, the Scout or his parent must make all questions of rule interpretations and procedures to the Pinewood Derby Chairman or Race Officials promptly. Decisions of Race Officials on questions of rule interpretations and procedures 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 the Trackmaster and/or Finish Line Judges. Note: Unsportsmanlike conduct by any participant or spectator will be grounds for expulsion from the competition and/or the race area. 3
III. THE RACING ENVIRONMENT 1. Sacred Heart Cub Scout Pack #11 will use an official Cub Scout Pinewood Derby Track. The track consists of four lanes with a starting gate and an electronic finish line sensor. 4
IV. SCOUT RACE CAR DESIGN STANDARDS T-1. Material: Race cars shall be constructed for this event from the parts contained in the Official Grand Prix Pinewood Derby Kit (referred to below as the kit) as sold by the Scout shops. Materials from the kit may be supplemented but not replaced. T-2. Weight: Race cars may weigh no more than five (5) ounces (total weight) as determined on the official scales during the Weigh-In. The reading of the official race scale will be considered final. Note: The official scale will be available at the Pre-race Meeting OR via special arrangement with the lead Pinewood Derby official (as dictated each year). The car may be hollowed out and built up to the maximum weight by the addition of wood, plastic or metal only. It must be securely built into the body or affixed to it. No loose materials of any kind are permitted in or on the car. 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 kit. Permanent glue, nails or screws must securely fasten all weight to the car in such a way that it will not move; tape & tack spray are not good. Materials will be available for adding weight to the car, if needed. Weights shall be passive (i.e. non-moveable, non-magnetic, nonelectric, etc.). Mercury shall not be used for adding weight; it is a potential health hazard. T-3. Wheels and Axles: Only the Official Grand Prix wheel and axels can be used. Wheel bearings, washers or bushings are prohibited. Solid axles are not allowed. Hubcaps are prohibited and must be removed. Axels may be polished. Wheels may be lightly sanded to remove the mold projections on the tread. This light sanding is the only wheel modification allowed. Beveling, tapering and thin sanding of the wheels is prohibited. The tread must be flat across. The car shall roll on the wheels from the kit. The wheels shall turn about the axle nails from the kit. The axle nails shall be firmly affixed to the wood of the car body, and MUST be placed in the original 'axle grooves' in the supplied wooden block. It must be obvious to the judges that the grooves, wheels and the nails from the kit are being used. The wheelbase (distance between the front and rear axels) may not be changed from the kit body. The car shall not ride on any type of springs. The car must be freewheeling with no starting device or other propulsion. 5
T-4. Size: The official gauge (the Go / No Go Box) will be used during Weigh-In. This gauge will be available at the Pre-Race Meeting OR via special arrangement with the lead Pinewood Derby official (as dictated each year). Racecars may be no longer than 7 inches. Racecars may be no wider than 2-3/4 (2.75) inches (including wheels and axels). Underside clearance between the bottom of car and the top of track must be at least 3/8 (0.375) inches. This minimum clearance between the bottom of the car and the track is necessary so the car will clear the finish line sensor on the track. This is very important!!! Do not add weights to the bottom of the car unless you recess / imbed them in the wood. The car must have 1-3/4 (1.75) inches clearance between the wheels. T-5. Wheel Treatment: Wheel treatment (hub and tread smoothing and polishing) may not result in substantial removal of mass or in reducing the wheel width from the original kit wheels. Some of the original "tread marks" on the wheel face must remain intact, i.e. apparent to the inspector. Wheels may not be machined to a beveled condition and the portion of the wheel surface that contacts the track must remain parallel to the axle. T-6. Gravity Powered: The racecar may not be constructed or treated in such a way that the track's starting mechanism imparts momentum to the car. (For instance, this provision disqualifies cars with sticky substances on the front of the car and protrusions, which may catch on the starting pin.) T-7. Lubricants: Only dry lubricants such as graphite or powdered Teflon "white lube" will be allowed for lubricating the wheels. Regular oils and silicone sprays may soften the plastic wheels. Lubricants may not foul the track. It must be applied before the Weigh-In; none can be applied during the race. T-8. Details: Details such as steering wheel, driver, spoilers, decals painting and interiors are permissible, as long as these items do not exceed the maximum length, width and weight specifications. 6
V. CONDUCT OF THE RACES Track officials are responsible for the proper conduct of the races. C-1. Inspection Gauges: The race-day "Pit Stop" area will have the official scale and Go / No Go Box. This weigh-in equipment will be the official equipment for the race. (The same 5 oz. Master Weight used for scale calibration at the Pre-Race Meeting will be used during Weigh- In.) Be prepared to make adjustments to cars if necessary. Note: These gauges are also available via special arrangement with the lead Pinewood Derby official (as dictated each year) C-2. Car Handling Responsibility: Scouts shall be responsible to present their own cars at the Weigh-In area. All cars accepted for racing will be impounded at the Weigh-In area and moved to the Pit Stop where they will be held until race time. The Starter Team will assist the Scouts to stage their cars on the track. The cars should be handled very carefully. Each heat will be announced; the scout must be ready to stage their car. The Scout is responsible to pay attention and proceed to the starting area as necessary. A second call will be made for a Scout, but after that his car automatically finishes last. C-3. Track Fault: If a car leaves its lane, at his sole discretion, the Trackmaster may inspect the track and, if a track fault is found which probably caused the initial violation, the Trackmaster may order the race heat to be rerun after the track is repaired. If it appears that the electronic finish line is not registering the winners correctly, it will be investigated and the appropriate measures taken. C-4. Car Fault: If a car interferes with another car, the heat will be rerun. If the offending car again causes a problem, it will automatically finish last for that heat. If a car is disqualified from two heats for interference, it will be disqualified from all racing. C-5. Car Repair: If during the race, a wheel falls off or the car becomes otherwise damaged, then the Scout may, to the best of his ability perform repairs with the assistance of his adult partner or Pit Crewmember. C-6. The Race Area: Only race officials may enter the track area. This rule will be strictly enforced. C-7. Car #: Upon Weigh-In each scout s car will receive a white sticker designating a car number. This race number will be placed on the Front of the car (Front of the car is determined by the Scout). C-8. Rewards and Recognition: The most important values in Pinewood Derby competition are parent/son participation, good sportsmanship and learning how to follow rules. The Awards Committee is responsible for recognizing and encouraging these qualities in addition to traditional racing awards. Prior to releasing cars back to the scouts the Awards Committee will determine winners of Trophies for Special Categories. Racers will not be told their special category until the awards are presented at the end of the race. 7
A Scout can only win one trophy. Therefore, if a scout wins at the pack and den levels, he will pass the den level award to the next winning scout in the den and take possession of the higher Pack award. (The intention here is to have as many scouts receive awards as possible, rather than having a few scouts captures all the awards). Racers will be recognized as follows: a.) Every participating Scout will receive a Pinewood Derby patch. b.) Trophies will be awarded for first thru third place in the pack. c.) Trophies will be awarded to the first place finishers in each den (i.e. Best in Den). d.) Two trophies will be awarded for Most Original as voted by a group of adults selected by the Race Officials. e.) Two trophies will be awarded for Best of Show as voted by all the Scouts in the Pack. Each Scout will have two votes, neither of which can be for their own car. f.) Two trophies will be awarded for Sportsmanship as voted by a group of adults selected by the Race Officials g.) Two Do Your Best trophies will be awarded for the two best kid-made cars as voted by the Pack Leaders.. 8
VI. Recommended Committee Positions and Descriptions Pinewood Derby Chairman: This individual is responsible for all Committee Coordination activities. Strong organizational, motivational, and leadership skills are required here. The Chairman will coordinate the status of all of the other Committee members and to assign / coordinate additional tasks. During the races, the Chairman will also act as the behind the scenes coordinator of the event, coordinating solutions to all unforeseen emergencies should (when) they arise. Trackmaster Team: These individuals assemble the tracks and timers on the day of the race and handle any repairs that might be necessary. Starter Team: These individuals are responsible for staging and starting cars. These individuals must handle the cars with great care. Finisher Team: Three scout parent volunteers will be responsible for working with the finish line during the races. This job involves being a backup for the electronic timers in judging car finish order and carrying the cars back to the Pit Stop. These individuals must handle the cars with great care. Construction Clinics / Registration / Inspection / Weigh-In / Pit Crew Team: These three scout parent volunteers will need to be very familiar with the car construction rules. Prior to the race this group may host a table at a Pack meeting to explain and answer any questions regarding Derby car construction. During the race this team could come together to assist with any car repairs that might be necessary should any cars fly off of the track, or get dropped, etc. Rules Team: This team is responsible for the creation, approval and distribution of the car construction and race procedure rules. Results Chart Team: On race day this team calls the races and records the results on the tally charts. Sportsmanship Team: This team is made up of two or three scout parent volunteers who will observe all scout racers throughout the day s races and determine which two scouts will receive the Sportsmanship trophies. Results will not be made public until the end of the Pack races. 9
Decorations / Cleanup Team: Refreshments Team: Awards Team: Purchases the trophies and patch awards. 10
VII. District Rules ALL CARS MUST PASS INSPECTION TO QUALIFY FOR THE DISTRICT PINEWOOD DERBY Following are the inspection points: 1. The car weight shall not exceed 5.0 ounces. The official race scale shall be considered final. 2. The overall length of the car shall not exceed 7 inches. 3. The overall width of the car shall not exceed 2 ¾ inches. 4. The car must have 1 ¾ clearance between the wheels. 5. The car must have 3/8 clearance underneath the body. 6. The wheel base of the car and the axle locations may not be altered from the ones provided in the kit. 7. The wood provided in the kit must be used. The block may be shaped any way that is desired. 8. The wheels supplied with the kit must be used. The wheels may not be cut, drilled, beveled or rounded. You may remove the seam from the wheels. 9. The axles supplied with the kit must be used. They may be polished or lubricated with dry lubricants only. 10.Wheel bearings, washers or bushings are prohibited. 11.The car must not ride on any type of springs. 12.The car must be freewheeling, with no starting devices. 13.No loose material of any kind, such as lead shot, may be used. Note: The district scale goes to two decimal places while the pack scale goes to one. Therefore, if you make the District Race, you may need to trim off some weight. 11