C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S !

1st Place:    Gavin
2nd Place:    Tanner
3rd Place:    Chad

Racing in a Cub Scout derby is great fun. You'll get to design your racing vehicle, work with a parent to build it, and see it perform on race day. Win or lose, you'll take pride in having done your best. When you race in a Cub Scout derby, you learn craft skills, the rules of fair play, and good sportsmanship—things you will remember all your life.

Pack 14 Pinewood Derby

Saturday, January 5,2013

Greece Olympia Cafeteria

The Pinewood Derby is one of the most popular events in Cub Scouting. Every year more than a million boys and parents team up to carve, decorate, weigh, adjust, fret over, and finally race a Pinewood Derby car. The first Pinewood Derby was held in 1953 by Cub Scout Pack 280C of Manhattan Beach, California.

The purpose of the Pinewood Derby is to help the Cub Scout build a team relationship with their parent or helper, experience the sense of accomplishment and the excitement of competition, learn Win/Lose good sportsmanship, and to have fun. The model cars are made of wood to specified dimensions, created, carved, assembled, and decorated by Cub Scouts under the guidance of the parents or helpers. The cars are gravity powered and run down a special track.

Like all successful events, it requires some planning and preparation, but the payoff in fun and strengthening family relationships has been proven over the years. By following a plan and distributing responsibility among several Cub Scout parents and leaders, you can plan and achieve a successful Pinewood Derby. The attached instructions, checklist, and activities should be helpful in organizing and conducting a Pinewood Derby.

All races are run on a system of double elimination by head-to-head heats. Timing of contestants has no bearing in determining winners. Cars must start from a stand still at the top of the track, and are powered only by gravity. The car whose nose is first over the finish line is the winner.

Derby Car Kits: The Pack will supply all Scouts with the official BSA Pinewood Derby Kit and no precut kits will be allowed to compete in the Races. Paint, decals, accessory trim pieces, and weights are allowed, but must meet car weight requirements.

Sportsmanship: Scouting encourages good sportsmanship. Cars will be disqualified if the Scout or his parents display unsportsmanlike conduct. Remember, it is only a race and the object is for all Scouts to have a great time!

PINEWOOD DERBY RULES

LENGTH, WIDTH , AND CLEARANCE

The maximum overall width including wheels and axles shall not exceed 2 ¾ inches.
The minimum width between the wheels shall be 1 ¾ inches so the car will clear the center guide strip on the track.
The minimum clearance between the bottom of the car and the track surface shall be 3/8 inch so the car will clear the center guide strip on the track.
The maximum overall length shall not exceed 7 inches.
The wheelbase (distance between the front and rear axles) may not be changed from the kit body distance of 4 ¾ inches (some kits may be off between 1/8 inch to ¼ inch). The pre-cut slots provided on the official BSA kit must be used!

CAR BODY, WEIGHT AND APPEARANCE

Body wood shall be as provided in the official BSA kit.
The car must have been built during the current year (the school year in which the Derby is held).
The maximum weight of the car shall not exceed 5.0 ounces. The reading of the official scale will be final.
No liquids or loose materials of any kind are permitted in or on the car. The car may be hollowed out and built up to the maximum weight by the addition of wood or metal only, provided any additional materials is securely built into the body or firmly affixed to it.
Details such as steering wheel, driver, decals, spoiler, painting and interior details are permissible as long as these details do not exceed the maximum length, width, or weight specifications.
Cars with wet paint will not be accepted.
The front end of the car is to be solid, (meaning no notches, grooves, or slots) that would give the car an unfair advantage at the start.

LUBRICATION

Only graphite or powdered Teflon "white lube" will be allowed for lubricating the wheels. You MAY NOT use any other lubricant, especially oil or silicone sprays. Liquids and sprays react with the paint and plastic wheels and make them tacky which will slow the car considerably.
There will be NO lubrication after the car has passed inspection and is put in the "garage" holding area.

WHEELS AND AXLES

Only BSA approved wheels and axles, as provided in the official kit, must be used.
Wheel bearings, washers, bushings and hubcaps are prohibited.
The car shall not ride on any type of springs.
The car must be freewheeling, with no starting devices or other types of propulsion.
Wheels can be sanded to remove surface imperfections, but the treads must be left flat. Beveling, tapering, narrowing, thinning, thin sanding or wafering of the wheels is prohibited.
Axles can be smoothed to remove surface imperfections, but not altered in any way except polishing. The head of the axle (nail) shall not be altered.
All 4 wheels of the car must touch the track surface.

INSPECTION AND REGISTRATION

To compete in any category of the Pinewood Derby, each car must pass Final inspection, (which includes weigh-in).
The inspection committee has the right to disqualify any car that doesn't meet these rules. Any scout or adult may appeal to the Pinewood Chairperson whose decision is final.
If a car does not pass inspection the owner will be informed of the reason. Cars that fail the initial inspection may be modified to bring them within the rules and brought back for re-inspection before final inspection deadline.
No car may be altered in any way after it has passed Inspection and is accepted in the "garage" holding area.

We encourage the Scout to design, cut, sand, paint/decorate his Derby car, and the adult assist and ensure safety.

Parents & siblings will be able to purchase a car block to create their own car to race after the Scout Pinewood Derby (time permitting).