Cub Scout Pack 95

Seabrook, TX

Pinewood Derby Rules 

Pinewood Derby Rules

Race officials will apply identification numbers to the cars at the time of registration.

Race officials will hold the cars from registration time until the races are completed for that class.

Awards will be given for first, second, and third in each class. Awards will also be given for Best in Show for each class.

RACING REQUIREMENTS: The Cub Scout should build his own racecar with minimal assistance from a parent.

1.       Axles, wheels and body must be from the kit provided by the pack.

2.       The car must be made this year.

3.       All cars must pass an inspection. The specifications for the racecars are listed below.

RACING SPECIFICATIONS

1.       GROUND RULES

a.       The race is open to all members of Pack 95 and their parents. Race classes are: Tiger Cub, Wolf, Bear, 4^th Grade Webelos, 5^th Grade Webelos, and an Open class. All participants (except as noted for the Open division) must meet the specifications in sections 2 and 3.

b.       A four-car track will be utilized.  A spreadsheet will be used to randomly order the cars and lanes so that each car races on each lane one time (each car will race at least 4 times).  The order of placement from each race (1^st through 4^th) will be used to determine the first, second, and third place finishers based on the placement totals from the races.  If there is not a clear demarcation between places, additional races will be run to determine the first, second, and third place cars.

c.        If a car (or any part of a car) leaves its lane and interferes with another car, the race will be re-run. If the same car again causes interference, it is disqualified from the race and will receive a 4^th place finish. The disqualified car may be repaired and run again in the next round. If a car has left its lane, didn't interfere with another car, and manages to cross the finish line in its intended lane, the heat is valid for all cars. If the car left its lane, didn't interfere with another car but doesn't cross the finish line in its own lane, the car is given a fourth place finish.  Repairs may be attempted and the car may be run again in subsequent rounds (provided this was not the final round).

d.       All repairs made as a result of mechanical failure during the race must pass Race Committee inspection prior to participating in any further rounds.

2.       CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS

a.       Length, Width and Clearance

                                                         i.            Maximum overall width (including wheels and axles) shall not exceed 2-3/4".

                                                        ii.            Minimum width between wheels shall be 1-3/4" so car will clear center guide strip.

                                                      iii.            Minimum distance between bottom of car and track shall be 3/8" so car will clear the center guide strip. This distance also applies to any protrusion from the bottom of the car such as weights.

                                                      iv.            Maximum length shall not exceed 7", to include accessories.

                                                        v.            The wheelbase (distance between front and real axles) may be changed.

b.       Weight and Appearance

                                                         i.            Weight shall not exceed 5.0 ounces (142.0 grams). The readings of the official race scale will be considered final. The car may be hollowed out and built up to the maximum weight by the addition of other materials provided they are securely built into the body or firmly affixed to it. No loose materials of any kind are permitted in or on the car.

                                                        ii.            Use only official B.S.A Pinewood Derby Kit No. 17006 or 17007.

                                                      iii.            Mercury shall not be used. It is a health hazard.

                                                      iv.            Details such as steering wheel, driver, spoiler, decals, painting, interior and exterior detail are permissible as long as these details do not violate length, width, or clearance and weight specifications.

                                                        v.            Cars with wet paint or wet glue will not be accepted.

                                                      vi.            The Official Race Team will attach a car number to the car using a small adhesive backed label. The location for this number will be on the upper rear portion of the car so that the Official Pinewood Derby Starter can easily identify the correct car and its proper direction of travel.

c.       Wheels and Axles

                                                         i.            The only wheels and axles allowed are from the B.S.A. official Pinewood Derby Kits, No. 17006 and 17007.

                                                        ii.            Wheel bearings, spacers or bushings are prohibited.

                                                      iii.            The car shall not ride on any type of springs.

                                                      iv.            The car must be freewheeling with no starting device or other propulsion.

                                                        v.            The tread of the wheel may be altered only to a flat surface that is parallel to the axle. The tread width may not be less than 0.275". The wheel diameter may not be less than 1.150" or greater than 1.200". Lightly sanding and/or polishing the tread of the wheel to remove burs will not reduce the diameter below allowable levels.

                                                      vi.            Materials may not be added or removed from the wheels.

                                                     vii.            Under side of axle head may be ground or re-shaped to remove burs. Axle shaft diameter may not be less than 0.090". Simple polishing of the axle will not reduce the diameter below allowable level.

                                                   viii.            No wheel covers (i.e. hubcaps) are permitted.

                                                      ix.            For Open class participants, rules 2-C-v, 2-C-vi, 2-C-vii, and 2-C-viii do not apply.  All other provisions in sections 2 and 3 apply to Open class participants.

d.       Lubrication

                                                         i.            Only dry powdered lubricants, such as graphite, may be used. Regular oils and silicone sprays may soften the plastic wheels.

                                                        ii.            Excessive lubrication is prohibited. It may cause damage to equipment or floors.

                                                      iii.            NO additional lubrication may be added between rounds / heats.

3.       INSPECTION AND DISPUTES

a.       Each car must pass inspection by the Official Inspection Team before it can compete. The Inspection Team has the right to disqualify those cars that do not meet these rules. Car owners will be informed of the violations and given an opportunity to modify the car to meet these rules. If, at the discretion of the Race Committee, the car cannot be modified to meet the rules, the car may be allowed to run but will not be eligible for awards.

b.       Any participant (including the parent of the participant) has the right to appeal to the Race Committee for an interpretation of these rules. The Race Committee, by majority vote, will be the final judge of these rules. In case of a tie vote, the decision of the Race Committee Chairperson will be final.

c.        Ungentlemanly or unsportsmanlike conduct by any participant or member of the audience will be grounds for expulsion from the competition and/or the race area.

d.       Any protest of a car's compliance with the rules must be filed with the Race Chairperson prior to the competition. Any protest of a car's classification can be filed at any time.

e.      Officials will accept late arrivals and include them in the race until the end of the first round at which time no additional cars will be accepted into the race.  If the late car arrives after all cars in the Class have run one heat, then the late car will be given a 4^th place finish in the first round and will begin racing during the second round.