Hey Pack 968,
The Pinewood Derby race is coming up in less than two weeks, so as you are putting on your finishing touches (or first touches), please keep this information in mind.
First, we need volunteers for a few tasks.
1) take and set up the Pinewood Derby track on Friday afternoon.
2) help checking in cars Friday night
3) assist in bringing cars up to par on Friday night
4) assist in taking down the track and bringing it back
Now for the fun part....
We will be following the Pacifica Districts Pinewood Derby rules. Why you may ask? Because if you win your division, and you follow the rules, you get to compete with other winners in our District. If you don't, then the next runner up gets to go.
The Pinewood Derby chair will allow drilled axle holes for our competition, but if you win your division, the runner up actually compete at District.
Race Day: Saturday, January 22nd, 2011 at 10:30am at The Automobile Driving Museum, 610 Lairport Street , El Segundo , CA 90245
Registration: Friday, January 21st, 2011 from 6:00–7:00 PM at the Scout House, 325 E. Grand Ave , El Segundo CA 90245
NOTE: A parent must attend registration and race with scout.
1. The official registration of cars will take place on Friday night between 6:00–7:00 PM at the Scout House. ALL CARS MUST BE REGISTERED ON THIS DATE!!! THERE WILL BE NO REGISTRATION ON RACE DAY.
2. After the car is registered, the race officials will maintain possession of the cars until the race.
3. The race will begin on Saturday, January 22, 2011 at 10:30 AM.
4. Before the race begins, the race officials will have all the cars placed on tables by rank and/or den. No one may touch the cars until they are called to race.
5. If a race car breaks during the race, repairs only may be made, under race official supervision. NO MODIFICATIONS OR LUBRICATION MAY BE APPLIED AFTER REGISTRATION.
6. The boys will race by rank (Tigers will race Tigers, Wolves will race Wolves, etc.).
7. Boys must be present and WEARING THEIR SCOUT UNIFORM to race their cars. If a boy is unable to attend, prior approval by your Den Leader AND race staff is required for someone to race another boy’s car.
8. Scouts will be called forward by rank to race in groups of 4 to 6, and will place their own car on the racetrack.
9. Each car will race a minimum of three times on different lanes. The car with the fastest time will be declared the first place winner for his rank.
10. The car with the second fastest time will be awarded second place and the car with the third fastest time will be awarded third place. Trophies will be awarded for first thru third place. All registered participants will receive a Pinewood Derby Patch.
11. For ranks whose total number of racers exceeds six cars, all cars from that rank will race in groups of six and will alternate lanes between races for three races for each group of six cars (or less) up to the number of rank racers.
12. Each rank’s first place winner will have an opportunity to race at the District competition.
13. A final “race off” among the winners from each rank will be held to determine the overall pack champion. The rank winners will race 3 times on different lanes and the fastest time will determine overall Pack champion.
14. Parents are responsible for monitoring their children during the race.
The Pack Leadership reserves the right to change the procedures and rules as necessary, and Pack Leadership has the final decision making authority on all issues.
ONLY materials from the standard Boy Scouts of America “Official Grand Prix Pinewood Derby” kit are to be used, with two exceptions: a car may be made from a precut pinewood block obtained from any source and a car may be made with the "NEW" BSA Pinewood derby wheels or BSA approved colored wheels.
***NOTE: Aftermarket non-official kits with solid axles + hubcaps & non-official wheels will not be allowed to compete.
2. Axles and wheels must be those provided in the “Official Grand Prix Pinewood Derby” kit. No aftermarket or non-official “race” wheels will be allowed. Axles may have the flashing removed at the head only. No altered axles or grooving or reshaping of the axle head allowed. BSA approved colored wheels are allowed.
3. Wheel tread must not be altered or reduced. Burrs may be removed and lightly sanded only. No other alterations are allowed. Wheels and/or hubs may not be altered, sanded or ground to a sharp edge. They may not be hollowed, tapered or drilled out. No loose materials of any kind are allowed in the car construction. The pinewood of the car may be hollowed and weights can be added to the allowable overall car weight limit provided they are secured and immobile.
4. All four car wheels must touch the track at the same time, and support the vehicle.
5. The wheelbase of the car (defined as the dimension from the centerline of the rear axle to the centerline of the front axle) must be between 4.25” and 4.5”
6. Dry lubricants (like graphite) are the only lubricants that are allowed.
7. No wheel bearings, washers, bushings, hubcaps or wet lubricants are permitted. The car shall not ride on springs. All car wheels will be test-spun by the inspectors and any excess lubricant must be removed.
8. Cars must be free-wheeling with no starting or propulsion devices of any kind allowed. Cars will start by gravity from a standstill position. No cars containing magnets or magnetized parts will be allowed to race. The entire car’s structure must be behind the starting line when resting on the starting dowel. Inverted V bumpers and other designs that allow part of the car to extend beyond the starting point will be disqualified.
9. Details, such as steering wheel and driver are permissible as long as these details do not exceed the maximum length, width, height and weight specifications, and are securely attached to the car.
10. Each car must pass inspection by the official inspection committee before it may compete. No car may register (Friday night) with wet paint.
11. If the car fails the inspection, time will be given to make the necessary adjustments.
12. The official inspection committee’s scale and measurements are final.
13. Only Registered Cub Scouts may participate in the official race. Siblings and parents may participate in the “Family Fun Race”, time permitting.
14. Pack 968 Leadership shall resolve any issues not covered by these rules.
15. Car Specifications:
A. Maximum Weight: 5.00 ounces
B. Maximum Width (including wheels): 2.75”
C. Maximum Length: 7.00”
D. Maximum Height: 3.00” (track surface to top of car);
E. Minimum Clearance: 0.375” (bottom of the car to the bottom of the wheels)
