Cub Scouts Pack 61 Pinewood Derby 2010

Let the races begin!!!

Welcome to the Pack 61 Pinewood Derby.

Derby day is Sunday, March 14, 2010 from 1:00-4:30 at Edison Gym.

The Pinewood Derby is a great event for the Cub Scouts to have the opportunity to work closely with a parent or other family member to learn design and building skills in the construction of their cars. It is highly recommended that the scouts be active participants in all phases of the assembly to the extent it is safe for the Cubs.

The Boy Scouts of America construction guidelines and rules are posted on the next page of this document. During the check-in, the cars are visually inspected, weighed and fitted to ensure compliance with the guidelines.

Here are some internet links for tips on building a car with your Cub Scout:

http://home.simplyweb.net/bosworth/howto.htm

http://www.scoutorama.com/derby

Additionally, the Deicke Scout Shop in West Chicago has some great books, stickers and accessories for building the cars. Purchases made at the Scout Shop directly benefit the Three Fires Council.

For the appearance award categories, we will present the following awards:

Most Scout Like                      Most Colorful

Most Race Car Like                Best Corporate Sponsor

Most Patriotic                          Best Sports Theme

Most Outdoorsey                    Least Car Like

Most Original                           Made with least help

This year, the pack will continue these other classes of races:

Cub Class Racing

-       All Cub Scouts will race their cars in this classic runoff with 1st - 4th place winners per rank. There will also be a runoff of all four 1st place rank winners for an “overall” category.

-       One car per scout (supplied by the Pack.)

-       Car construction rules apply to the BSA guidelines.

Family Class Racing

-       Parents, Siblings and Family Members are invited to bring their own cars to the check-in table and register for the family racing. There will be heats calculated to determine the 1st - 4th place winners for this class.

-       One car per family (not provided, but can be purchased from the Scout Shop or you can purchase from Dion Richetti, who has extras from the Scout order for $4.50 each.)

-       Car construction rules apply to the BSA guidelines except for the current year of construction. For example, cars raced in previous Pinewood Derby events can be registered to compete in this year’s family racing.


 

Boy Scouts of America Pinewood Derby Rules

 

ALL CARS MUST MEET THE FOLLOWING RULES AND SPECIFICATIONS

  • Each participant may enter one (1) car. The car should be built for the current year of competition and not raced in previous years. The Cub Scout needs to be present and in uniform for the car to compete.
  • After registration, inspection and weigh-in the car will be placed on the rank table. No further adjustments or modifications will be allowed.
  • A car losing a wheel or any part that prevents running cannot be repaired after weigh-in.

EXCEPTION: Race officials may authorize repairs when damage is caused by collision with another vehicle or object. Repairs must be completed within a limited time allowed by the Race Officials.

  • If a car leaves the track in two (2) consecutive races, it is disqualified.

EXCEPTION: When a car is caused to leave the track because of a collision with another car.

  • The cars will rest against a starting pin; therefore it is advisable that they do not come to a sharp point in front. Due to a short starting pin, the front end should not be any higher than 1/4” above the axle line.
  • ONLY the official Cub Scout Grand Prix Pinewood Derby kit should be used.
  • Width - overall width will not exceed 2-3/4”.
  • Length – over all length will not exceed 7”. Wheels will not extend past the front or rear of the car body.
  • Width – between wheels – will not be less than 1-3/4”.
  • Bottom Clearance – clearance between car and track will not be less than 1/4”.
  • Weight – will not exceed 5 ounces.
  • Only official current Cub Scout Grand Prix Pinewood Derby wheels and axles are permitted.

You may not change the wheel dimensions. Wheels may not be rounded, pointed, concaved, shaved or otherwise modified. You may, however, sand the tread or tire contact area of the wheel to smooth out the rough spots. Wheel bearings, washers, and bushings are prohibited. The car will not ride on springs of any type. Wheel covers or hub caps are prohibited, the head of the nail must be viewable for inspection. The axels (nails) maybe polished and stamping imperfections removed but the shape and size of the head may not be altered. The recommended wheel and axle lubricant is dry, powdered graphite.

  • All cars will be freewheeling with no starting devices. Magnets and slip weights are prohibited. All weights must be securely attached to the car.
  • Inspection: Each car must pass an inspection by the official Inspection Committee before it may compete.  If a car does not pass inspection, the owner will be informed of the reason for failure and will be given a time within the official registration period to make adjustments.
  • Details such as steering wheel, a driver, and decals are permissible as long as these details do not exceed the width, length, height, clearance and weight specifications. All details must be securely attached to the car.

EXTENDED WHEEL BASE/ CAR BODY:

  • The axel grooves provided in the block of wood do not have to be used. The wheelbase may be extended but the wheels may not extend past the front or rear of the car body. Depending upon the track, the front of the car may rest against a short starting pin. We therefore require that the front of the car, which rests on the pin, is no higher than 1/4" above the axle line.

LUBRICANT:

  • Dry powdered graphite is the suggested lubricant to use but not required. Many other lubricants have been used over time however graphite has been proven to work best.
  • Liquid lubricants may not be compatible with the plastic wheels and actually damage them. Our concern with lubricants is that anything other than dry graphite does not drop on the track affecting the operation of other derby cars.

INSPECTION AND WEIGHT:

  • Maximum allowable weight is 5 ounces. The scale used the day of the race and weight recorded will be considered “OFFICIAL”. Even though a car may have weighed at or under 5 ounces using the same scale at a previous race we are concerned with the weight on the current race day. Once a car meets weight it will be entered in the race line up and the car is not touched until is it brought to the starting line by the Cub. If the car is over-weight you will be allowed a limited number of opportunities to remove the excess weight and re-weigh the car in order to qualify for check-in.

WHEELS / AXELS:

  • All wheels must have the raised BSA – PINEWOOD DERBY letters on the outside surface of the wheel. The wheel surface may not be rounded, beveled or shaved.

GENERAL:

  • Each year the Cub Scout should construct a new car and that cars are not used from previous years. The scout should play an active role in the design and construction of the car. It is understandable that a younger scout will need more assistance from an adult and this is highly encouraged.