Please Note 

• Racing will begin promptly at 6:00 p.m.
• No Graphite is allowed In the Building.  Scouts must lubricate the cars prior to registration/weigh-in on Wednesday, February 16, 2011.
• Because of possible damage to the cars and track, there will be no running, pushing, yelling, etc. in the building.
• All Participants/Spectators are restricted to the Gym/Multi-purpose room only.

RACING FORMAT

The challenge in running the Pinewood Derby is to make it fair, exciting and over before bedtime.  A single-elimination tournament may cause early losers to lose interest.  Also, it may not be fair if one lane of the track is faster than another.

Racers will be divided into individual groups based on their respective Den.  In each group, each car will race 4 times - a different lane each time and against different racers if possible.

Scoring will be based on the cumulative time in each racing group.  The racer with lowest cumulative time for each group will be crowned the Den Champion.  The racer with the lowest cumulative time for ALL groups will crowned the Overall Champion.

Medals will be presented to each Den Champion.  Trophies will be presented to the top 4 Overall Finishers. 

Each group of racers will be announced prior to their designated race/heat - there will be a designated “Pit Area” reserved for the Scouts “Pit Crew” to view their respective race.

 

OFFICIAL PINEWOOD DERBY KIT RULES

Please read these Rules and Instructions before building your car.

The Pinewood Derby is open to all Cub Scouts. Cars should be built by the Cub Scouts with some adult guidance. Any technical assistance should be fully explained to the Cub Scout so that he can use that knowledge on future projects.

• Wheel bearings, washers and bushings are prohibited.
• The car shall not ride on springs.
• Only official Cub Scout Pinewood Derby wheels and axles (the "nails") are permitted.  The BSA logo and stripe must be visible.
• Only dry lubricants are permitted.

• Details, such as steering wheel and driver are permissible as long as these details do not exceed the maximum length, width and weight specifications.

• The car must be free-wheeling, with no starting devices.

• Each car must pass inspection by the official inspection committee before it may compete.

• If, at registration., a car does not pass inspection, the owner will be informed of the reason for failure, and will be given time within the official weigh-in time period to make the adjustment.

• After final approval, cars will not be re-inspected unless the car is damaged in handling or in a race.

  BUILDING INSTRUCTIONS
  Check the grooves to ensure that each is at a perfect 90-degree angle to the car body. A car with untrue axles tends to steer to one side or the other, causing it to rub up against the side of the lane strip, slowing it down. You can check the groove angles by using a square, a protractor, or even a piece of paper.
  
  NOTE: If the car design you coose has a narrow body, make sure the area where the axles (nails) are inserted into the body remains 1 3/4" wide, or the wheels will not fit over the guide strips of the track.
  
  PAINTING AND WHEEL ASSEMBLY
   Apply several coats of sanding sealer; then sand entire car with a fine-grade sandpaper. Give model at least two coats of fast drying paint, in your choice of color. When paint is completely dry sand with fine sandpaper, apply a final coat of paint and allow to dry thoroughly.
  
  To finish, rub entire car with a rubbing compound.  Details such as windshield, driver, racing number, etc. should be added now.  For a super finish apply a coat of automobile was and rub to a high gloss.  Pre-lubricate axles and wheels using dry powdered lubricant.  Do not use regular oil or silicone spray, since it may soften the plastic.  Slide wheels over axles and then gently tap them into the car body grooves with a 1/4" dowel or similar object to within 1/32" of the car body.
  
  
  RACE DAY RULES

  • Once cars have been registered, weighed and certified, they will remain in the hands of race committee until the end of the competition.
  • NO GRAPHITE WILL BE ALLOWED IN THE BUILDING.  All lubrication must take place prior to the registration/weigh-in.
  • Because of possible damage to the cars and track, there will be no running, pushing, yelling, etc. in the building.  Violators will be disqualified.
  • Each heat will be announced.
  • The starter will make sure the cars are on the track properly and then will start the race.
  • Results will be recorded at the finish line.
  • If a car leaves the track, runs out of its lane, interferes with another car, loses an axle, etc., the heat will be rerun. If the same car gets into trouble on the second run, the contestant is disqualified and automatically loses that race. If, on the second run, another car is interfered with, the heat will be run a third time, but without the disqualified car.
  • Cars contructed for previous Pinewood Derbies are not eligible to compete.

  Have fun and be creative in your car design and decorations!  In addition to the races, awards will also be presented for car design.
  
  
  INSTRUCTIONS FOR RACING JUDGES
  

  Weigh-In/Registration

   

  Carefully weigh and inspect each race car.  Refer to the Pinewood Derby Specifications and Rules for details.

   

  Once the race car passes the Weigh-In/Inspection, place an orange sticker on the race car and send the Scout to the Registration area.

   

  At the Registration area, assign the race car a number and record on the orange sticker and registration form along with the name of each racer (Double check for accuracy).  The race car is now ready for Race Day.  All registered race cars will remain in possession of the Racing Committee until the day of the race.

   

  Lastly, obtain a digital photo of the Scout for their Official Pinewood Derby Drivers License.  The license will be available on Race Day.

   

  The Pinewood Derby Chairman will take possession of all race cars, registration forms and digital photos at conclusion of Registration.
  
  

  Questions or comments?  Please e-mail the webmaster at tom@pack335wheaton.org .