pinewoodderby

Pack 250 Pinewood Derby Race Rules and Format

Race Date: March 12 Location: First Parish

Weigh In: 5 – 6PM Race Time: 6 – 8PM

Pack 250 Race Day Rules:

The race is open to all Cub Scouts registered in the PACK.
Cars should be built significantly built by the racer with assistance from adults as needed.
Adults and Siblings will be entered in separate divisions.
Each scout may enter only one car in the competition.
All cars must be inspected prior to the start of the races.
All cars must display their car number on the front of the car.
Races will be 3 at a time by Cub Scout year (i.e. Tigers, Wolves, etc).
After each race a 1^st Place, 2^nd Place and 3^rd Place ribbon will be given out.
A ribbon for best car design will be award for each race level.
Each car will race in each lane of the track.
After each scout has raced three times and received three ribbons, we will move to next Scout year.
The winner of each heat will be determined by the Average of the two fastest races. The winner per year will go be declared winner and move to Districts (we will also declare an alternate)
Any ties will have a head-to-head race off.

Race Day Clarifications:

If a car jumps the track, the race will be run again. If the same car jumps the track a second time that car automatically comes in third for that race.
If a car leaves its lane and interferes with another car, the race will be run again. If the same car leaves its lane and interferes with another car a second time, that car is disqualified for that race and receives 3^rd place ribbon. The other two cars will race again.
If a car is damaged and can be repaired in a reasonable amount of time, the race is run again. If not, that car is disqualified.
Only race officials and scouts participating in the race may enter the track area. This rule will be strictly enforced.

SPORTSMANSHIP:

The main thing to remember 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 you lose and feel unhappy. 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 say “I did my best!” and feel satisfied. The big thing to remember here is “we are doing this to have fun and to learn to build something!” You just built your own car! Be proud of that!

Technical Standards

The inspection judges at race-day check-in are responsible to evaluate each car’s adherence to the technical standards. Their decision may be appealed to the inspection chairman and the event chairman, who, after consultation with the inspection team, the SCOUT, and his parent/assistant, shall render a final, binding decision.

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 Shop. Materials from the kit may be supplemented but not replaced.

T-2. Weight: Racecars may weigh no more than five (5) ounces (total weight) as determined on the official scales during race day inspection.

T-3. Wheels and Axles: 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. The axle dimensions may not be changed substantially, nor may the length of the wheelbase be changed from what is provided in the kit. The outside surface of the axle head (the non-contact surface) may not be changed substantially, such as, by polishing. It must be obvious to the judges that the wheels and the nails from the kit are being used.

T-4. Size: Racecars may be no longer than 7 inches, nor wider than 2 3/4 (2.75) inches, nor taller than 3 inches, as determined by the official gages during race day inspection. (Underside clearance of at least 3/8 (0.375) inches and inside wheel to wheel clearance of at least 1 3/4 (1.75) inches is recommended, so that the car will run on the racetrack. Adequate clearance is the responsibility of the racecar builder.)

T-5. Weights and Attachment: 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. All weights must be securely fastened to the car, e.g. by permanent glue, nails, screws or tape. Weights shall be passive, i.e. non-moveable, non-magnetic, non-electric, non-sticky, etc.

T-6. Wheels: Wheel treatment (hub and tread smoothing and polishing) may not result in removal of mass nor in reducing the tread (track contact) width from the original kit wheels. Wheel tread surface must be cylindrical. The words “Official B.S.A. Made in U.S.A.” and other lettering on the wheels shall remain intact and clearly visible to the inspector. The original “tread marks” on the wheel face must be intact, i.e. apparent to the inspector.

T-7. Unacceptable Construction: The following may NOT be used in conjunction with the wheels or axles: hubcaps, washers, inserts, sleeves, bearings. Also, all four (4) wheels must be able to touch the track surface. The length of the wheelbase may not be altered from that provided in the kit.

T-8. 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-9. Lubricants: Lubricants must be dry at the time of inspection and racing. Only dry graphite (white of black) may be used – NO liquid lubricants are allowed.

T-10. Staging: The entire car must stage behind the starting pin.

T-11. Body: The car body may have no moving parts.