The Cubs and their adult partners should make the cars together! The idea is not for the adult to point the Cub at the tool chest and walk away nor is the adult supposed to do all the work while the Cub plays video games. Parents should resist the temptation to want to beat all the other Moms and Dads. The whole point is for the Cubs to have fun learning how to do a simple wood-working project, not to show off that Dad has access to a NASA wind tunnel or the metal shop at MIT.
Adults should do anything dangerous (e.g.., any cutting done with power tools) but encourage the Cub to do much as possible of the rest of the work with coaching from the adult. Any assistance given should be explained to the Cub so he can use that knowledge on future projects.
If you don't have access to the tools you need, ask your Cub leaders for help; by the same token, if you do have tools and would be willing to help a Cub who doesn't have any, please let your Den Leader know. It would be real shame to have any Cub feel left out just because he didn't have the right tools at home.
Pinewood DERBY - OFFICIAL RULES
Hosted By Pack 84 Hawthorne
Special Note:
Our Pinewood Derby is open to all Scouts, parents, siblings and leaders. Cars should be built by the boys,with some adult guidance. Any technical assistance should be fully explained to the Scout so he can use that knowledge on future projects.
Official Car;
Only Cub Scout "Grand Prix Pinewood Derby Kit" and official Cub Scout Grand Prix derby wheels and axles are permitted. Colored wheels available from BSA stores are legal but must have the "BSA" markings.No Exceptions!
Dimensions:
1. Maximum length is 7 inches.
2. Maximum wheel base (from the center of the front wheels to the center
of the rear wheels) is 4 3/8 inches. No minimum distance
3. Maximum width (including wheels and axles) is 2-3/4 inches.
4. Minimum width (between wheels} is 1-3/4 inches.
5. Minimum ground clearance (between lowest
point of car and track surface) is 3/8 inches.
Weight and appearance-
A. Maximum weight is 5 ounces. Readings of the official rate scale are final. The car may be hollowed out and built up to the maximum weight by the addition of wood, plastic or metal, provided it is securely built into the body or affixed to it. No loose materials of any kind are permitted in or on the car.
B. The use of mercury for adding weight is strictly prohibited (it is a health hazard).
C. Details, such as steering wheels, driver, spoilers, wings, decals, painting, and interior details are permissible and encouraged. Any details must be firmly affixed and comply with the dimensions outlined above.
D. The front end of the car MUST be straight, convex or come to a point. NO PART OF THE CAR MAY PROTRUDE BEYOND THE STARTING POST.
Wheels and axles:
1. Wheels and axles must be from the official kit. NO THREE WHEELED VEHICLES!
2.The wheel must rotate on the nail provided in the kit.
How the axle (nail) is affixed to the car is the entrant's choice, but the axle may not rotate
3. Wheel bearings, washers or bushings are prohibited.
4. Wheels must retain their general size and shape. No rounding of the tire profile.
The molded tire tread on the outer edge of the wheel must be intact and not distorted. Material may NOT be removed to lighten the
wheel. Wheel must have a minimum outer dimension of 1.180".
5. Hubcaps are not allowed! (The nail head must be visible) The outside center section of the wheels may be painted to simulate a hubcap
6. The car may not run on any springs or suspension system.
7. The car must be free wheeling with no starting device or other propulsion.
Lubrication:
A. Only dry powder graphite lubricant may be used (oil, silicone, and other lubricants may soften
wheels and ruin the track surface).
B. Cars must be lubricated before tech inspection. Cars may not be re-lubricated once registered for
the race.
Tech inspection:
1. Each car must be inspected to conform to the rules as stated above. Once a car has passed
inspection, it will be impounded and no further
work on the car may be done (including re-lubrication
of the wheels) until the racing is complete.
2. A car failing inspection may be modified to pass inspection until inspection is closed.
3. Any
participant may appeals to the race committee for an interpretation of the rules. The race
committee will be the final judge. ONLY
the scout and his Den Leader may appeal an interpretation
of these rules.
Rules of the event:
A. Cars must be made
for the scheduled event. Cars made for a previous derby are not permitted.
B. The Race director will place cars on
the track at the beginning of each race and return them to their parking place after the scores for that race have been posted.
C. Good Sportsmanship is a must! No booing allowed! A Scout may be disqualified for inappropriate
behavior by the Scout, parent or adult
guardian. If a car jumps the track, leaves its lane, or interferes with another car, the race will be re-run. If it happens a second
time, the car will automatically be assigned a ten second race time and the other three cars will re-run in the race in their original
lanes.
E. If a car suffers a mechanical problem (loses a wheel or a weight) and the repair can be made in a
reasonable amount
of time, the race will be re-run. If not, the car will be assigned a ten second race
time. Repairs may be made by the racer and his
parent providing the repair is done in the presence
of a race official. A maximum of 5 minutes will be allowed! A replacement wheel
may be lubricated.
Existing wheels may not be re-lubricated.
F. All cars will run a minimum of four races, one race in each
lane. Every effort will be made so that
car will race against the same car twice during the primary race. A computerized scoring
system will
record the lap time of each car. The times will be awarded as they appear on the tracks readout.
The car with the lowest
total time after four races is the winner. In the event of a tie for any
position, those cars involved will have a run-off. The race
announcer will select the lanes used in the
run-off. In the event that there are more entries than the computer can run at one time,
heats of
32 cars will be run with the fastest four cars moving on to the finals.
G. Cars or participants found to be in violation
of the rules can be disqualified at any time during the
event.
H. Last sentence in the Rules sheet included in Kit #17006 of the
Scout derby Kit that reads; "After final approval, cars will not be re-inspected unless the car is damaged in handling or in a race",
shall now read; "After final approval, cars will not be re-inspected BY THE ENTRANT, PARENT OR ADULT PARTNER, unless the car is damaged
in handling or in a race,”
I. Wheels and axles may be removed at the completion of racing by the race director to verify
their legality. Wheels with material removed or special coating applied, axle with coatings applied, or lubricants other than powdered
graphite will result in disqualification.
Cars not able to meet the rules, will be allowed to participate, but will not be eligible
for awards, rank or prizes.