Pinewood Derby Rules & Specifications ... we thought you'd never ask!
Check yourself before you wreck yourself!
Welcome Race Fans!
The Pinewood Derby race is a Pack of Cub Scouts racing little wooden cars of various shapes and colors on little plastic wheels down a plywood track. But that is only a small part of it. Each Cub Scout gets a kit with a block of wood, four nails for axles, and four plastic wheels. Then, based on the rules, he shapes and paints his block of wood into a form to race down the track.
Pinewood Derby kits will be provided by the Pack and handed out to Cubs in November by their Den Leaders.
The annual Pack 717 Pinewood Derby Race will be held at the Wagon Wheel Elementary Multipurpose Room on January 23rd, 2010 from 9am - 2pm. We had a fabulous race last year, and we are looking forward to an equally exciting turnout this year.
The race will be by lane rotation to determine the winners in the individual Dens and overall event. The event will start with the Webelos, and proceed through the Bear, Wolf and Tiger dens, followed by the Open Class. Finally, the three fastest cars from each den will participate in the overall race finals.
Rules/Specifications
All participating Scouts must be in Class A uniform during the Pinewood Derby. Please try to arrive early to support your fellow Scouts.
We encourage the parents to work together with the Scouts on their Pinewood Derby cars. Remember, the Scouts should be involved in all aspects of car design and construction. For the really competitive adults/others, we will have an Open Class, limited only to the same weight and dimensional rules as the Scouts, to see how well their cars perform.
In order to save time, it is useful to use power tools to cut the pinewood block to approximately the desired shape. This is known as rough-cutting the block. Nearly any shape that can be drawn can be cut in this way. Please check our website for dates/times for "rough cut" sessions offered by the Pack. Start thinkin' about your design Cubs!!
In each Pinewood Derby Kit there are car specifications and rules that must be met, such as cars will be weighed with an official scale at check-in and must not exceed 5.0 ounces.
Please read all the car specifications and rules in your kit for your car to qualify!
The following is a Pack 717 addendum:
• The car must be less than 2.5" high.
• Cars must have a clearly defined front vs. rear. (This is so track officials can see how the car is supposed to run.)
• Cars must have the Cub Scout (or parent) name and Den number permanently marked on the car.
• Only official BSA parts and accessories may be used to supplement/modify the wood block.
• The use of non-BSA axles and wheels is strictly prohibited.
• Axels may be smoothed and polished.
• Wheels may be balanced, smoothed, and polished.
• Wheels may not be modified from the standard tread surface width.
• The tread surface must remain completely flat.
• The official BSA parts are available at the local scout store or on-line.
• The only exception to the official parts rule is the use of other decals or weights added to the car. (For example, coins, washers, bolts, tire weights and fishing weights are allowed.)
• All weights must be securely fastened to the car without the use of tape.
• Cars will be inspected at check-in, and during the race if necessary, to ensure they comply with all rules.
• Only dry lubricants may be used. (For example, graphite or Teflon)
• Use of oils or wet lubricant is strictly prohibited. (These cars may not run on the track in either Cub or Open Class.)
• All lubrication of cars is to be done prior to or on registration day.
• Lubrication of cars at the Derby is not allowed.
• Cars that do not meet all of the above, may only be entered into the Open Class Competition.
• Open Class Competition cars follow only the same weight limitation and dimensional rules as Cubs.
If you have any questions, please contact our Pack 717 Pinewood Derby Team Leaders, Marcel Esquenazi
marcel_jh@yahoo.com or Marc Knight
marcknight1@gmail.com
For Pinewood Derby tips, do a search on the internet by keying in "pinewood derby". There is a whole library of how-to websites chalked full of useful and fun information. Check out the book Pinewood Derby Speed Secrets for a complete guide to building a competitive car.
Posted by: akela on 10/11/2008 05:27 PM
Updated by: akela on 01/18/2010 10:50 PM
Expires: 01/01/2013 12:00 AM
