OFFICIAL RULES

Last Frontier Council Pinewood Derby

(Updated 12/30/2008)

 

Scroll down for a .pdf attachement of Official Rules.

The Last Frontier Council pinewood derby race is open to all Lion Cubs, Tiger Cubs, Cub Scouts and Webelos Scouts. There is an Open class for Boy Scouts, adults and non-Scout siblings. No pre-qualifying is required. Additional Information, rules and registration forms are available through the Council Service Centers.

 

ON YOUR HONOR

PLEASE MARK YOUR CAR WITH YOUR NAME, PACK NUMBER AND RANK.

 

1) Cub Division Rules – All cars must pass inspection after registration to qualify for races. Pit crew decisions are final.

 

a) WEIGHT – Shall not exceed 5 ounces, to be determined by the official race scales. The official race scale will be at the race and an opportunity will be available to add or reduce weight so that the car can comply with the official rules. Weights must be firmly affixed to car and unable to be moved.

 

b) WIDTH – Overall width shall not exceed 2¾ inches. Inside measurement between wheels shall not be less than 1¾ inches.

 

c) LENGTH – Overall length shall not exceed 7 inches. No part of the car may extend beyond the center of the nose (cross the starting line).

 

d) WHEEL BASE – Distance between the axle slots must be 4 and 3/8 inches.

 

e) HEIGHT – Height shall not exceed 4 inches. Ground clearance of 3/8 inch must be maintained.

 

f) ATTACHMENTS & DETAILS – Any attachments or details such as the steering wheel, driver, decals, paintings and interior detail are permissible as long as these details do not exceed the maximum length, width and height specifications. The car must be freewheeling, with no starting devices. No loose parts!

 

g) LUBRICANTS – Powdered lubricants ONLY. Oil, grease, and silicon spray or liquids will not be allowed.

 

h) Wheel bearings, bushings, and washers are prohibited.

 

i) WHEELS

 

i) Only "Official BSA" wheels in Black, Orange, Red, Blue, or Yellow (as shown in Figure 1) are permitted.

 

ii) Only light sanding of the outside EXTERIOR flat surfaces to remove burrs is allowed. No other alterations will be allowed. Shaving or removal of wheel materials is not permitted.

 

iii) Machined, “speed wheels”, such as those found online are not permitted. An example can be found in Figure 3.

 

j) AXLES

 

i) No solid axles are permitted. Only official Cub Scout Grand Prix nail axles provided may be used. Old-fashioned wooden axles are not permitted.

 

Figure 1 -- Official BSA Wheels

 

ii) The burr on the nail left over from the manufacturing process (shown in lower right of Figure 2) may be removed by filing. No other materials may be removed or shaped on the nail axles. This includes making grooves and/or removing any portion of the head of the nail.

 

Figure 2 -- Close-up View of Burr on Stock BSA Axle

Figure 3 -- UNAUTHORIZED Wheel Modifications

 

k) Springs are not allowed. Cars shall not ride on any type of springs.

 

l) Prebuilt cars such as those found on the Internet will not be allowed to race in the Cub Division; however, it will be allowed to run in the Open Division PROVIDED that they comply with all other regulations.

 

m) Cub Scout cars that do not fit these requirements may be disqualified.

 

 

2) Open Division Rules. All cars must pass inspection at registration to qualify for races. Pit crew decisions are final.

 

a) Open Division Rules for the cars are the same as the Cub Division Rules in Section 1.

 

b) Open division is available to cubs, parents, siblings, and scout buddies.

 

c) Donations will be gladly accepted for all cars entered in the Open Division to help offset race expenses.

 

3) Impounding. All cars will be impounded by race officials upon completion of inspection. The race officials will assign each car a number at weigh-in. No racer shall handle or touch any car following final weigh-in and registration. If a car has passed inspection and a rule violation regarding the car is subsequently discovered the Derby Chairman will contact the owner and permit correction of the defect (if possible) prior to the race. If the defect cannot be corrected or the owner cannot be located then the car will be withdrawn and not permitted to race.

 

4) Car Repair. A "Maintenance Center" will provide tools and personnel to repair or modify cars.

 

a) Owners must request modification.

 

b) Only slight damage will be repaired, based on the decision of the Derby Chairman, whose decision is final.

 

5) Operating Rules.

 

The rules contained in this document will apply to the Last Frontier Council Pinewood Derby. However, your pack may choose to alter any or all of these rules.

 

a) Field Judge: There will be an impartial field judge whose decisions on special situations will be final.

 

b) If during a race a car leaves the track but DOES NOT impede the progress of any other car, then the race will be rerun. If in leaving the track a car DOES impede another car, then the race will be rerun. If the same thing happens a second time, then the offending car will be disqualified, and the race will be rerun again without the offending car.

 

c) If a car has mechanical problems (loses an axle, breaks a wheel, etc.) and a repair can be accomplished in no more than 5 minutes, the car may race again. If a new wheel is needed, dry lubricant may be applied. If the car cannot be repaired in the allotted time, it will be disqualified.

 

d) Boy Scouts will be employed as much as possible for all race official positions EXCEPT that of Field Judge and Derby Chairman.

 

e) Due to the time constraints of racing a large quantity of cars, race officials will transport cars to/from the impound area and place them on the track. At the discretion of race officials, some racers may be allowed to place their cars on the track.

 

f) The track area will be divided into two areas. The area four feet out from the track will be restricted to race officials. Racers will be permitted to sit in the roped off area eight to ten feet outside of the restricted area while their division is racing.

 

g) Participants MUST register no later than 15 minutes prior to their division’s race. This will allow race officials ample opportunity to enter car information in to the computer timing system. Participants will need to supply the Scout’s name, Pack Number, and Den level (Wolf, Bear, etc.)

 

h) Stickers with car number will be affixed to each car.

 

i) Tiger – 101-299

 

ii) Wolf – 300-499

 

iii) Bear – 500-699

 

iv) Webelos – 700-899

 

v) Open – 900-999

 

i) The top three cars from each of the Cub divisions will race in the Finals.

 

j) Certificates will be awarded for cars in the following categories

 

i) Best Exemplifies Scouting

 

ii) Most Patriotic Car

 

iii) Best Paint Job

 

iv) Fastest Looking Car

 

v) Frankenstein

 

k) The following is a list of staff positions needed to run the derby.

 

i) Master of Ceremonies and/or Announcer

 

ii) Pit Crew—Minimum of 4 people to transport cars from the holding area to the track and to recover cars at the finish line.

 

iii) Track Operator—Minimum of 2 people, one to run cars and a standby.

 

iv) Registration Team—Minimum of 2 people to take registration forms and assign numbers to cars.

 

v) Car Inspection Team—Minimum of 3 people to inspect cars. This includes weighing and ensuring that cars meet the regulations set forth in this document.

 

vi) Maintenance Crew—Minimum of 2 people to assist car owners with repairs and to help them make sure their car is race ready.

 

vii) Computer Operator—This person will be responsible for testing the RaceTender software and ensuring that track times are being properly recorded.

 

l) Supplies needed to successfully run the race.

 

i) Ten 1x2” slats to hold the cars (2 for each category)

 

ii) Parts and tools for the Maintenance Center including spare wheels, nail axles, weights, powdered lubricant, hammer, drills, pliers, and other tools for car repairs.

 

iii) Computer with RaceTender software

 

iv) LCD Projector

 

v) Projector Screen

 

vi) Sound system with 2 microphones—prefer one to be wireless.

 

vii) Tables—Need 9 tables for use by the following

 

 

(1) Registration – 1

 

(2) Car Inspection – 1

 

(3) Maintenance Center – 1

 

(4) Computer Operator – 1

 

(5) Awards Display – 1

 

(6) Car Impound – 4

 

A CUB SCOUT/PARENT PROJECT KIT NO. 17006 OFFICIAL GRAND PRIX PINEWOOD DERBY KIT Please read these Rules and Instructions before building your car. The Pinewood Derby is open to all Cub Scouts. Cars should be built by the Cub Scouts with some adult guidance. Any technical assistance should be fully explained to the Cub Scout so that he can use that knowledge on future projects. Because it is difficult to establish how much help was given in building the car, some Packs have a separate Pinewood Derby Race for adults. IMPORTANT: The Race Committee should decide on rules and race procedures, then have them printed and distributed to all participants at least two weeks before the race.

 

CAR SPECIFICATIONS:

 

Width: - 2-3/4" - Length - 7" - Weight - Not over 5 Ounces

 

Width between wheels - 1-3/4"

 

Bottom clearance between can and track - 3/8"

 

RULES Wheel bearings, washers, and bushings are prohibited. The car shall not ride on springs. Only official Cub Scout Grand Prix Pinewood Derby wheels and axles are permitted. Only dry lubricant is permitted. Details, such as steering wheel and driver are permissible as long as these details do not exceed the maximum length, width and weight specifications. The car must be free-wheeling, with no starting devices. Each car must pass inspection by the official inspection committee before it may compete. If, at registration, a car does not pass inspection, the owner will be informed of the reason for failure, and will be given time within the official weigh-in time period to make the adjustment. After final approval, cars will not be re-inspected unless the car is damaged in handling or in a race.

 

BUILDING INSTRUCTIONS Check the grooves to ensure that each is at a perfect 90-dearee angle to the car body. A car with untrue axles tends to steer to one side or the other, causing it to rub up against the side of the lane strip, slowing it down. You can check the groove angles by using a square, a protractor, or even a piece of paper. Lay square on block to check for squareness and alignment of slot. Use two hacksaw blades side by side to redress the slots. Use the edge of the square as a guide.

NOTE: If the car design you chose has a narrow body, make sure the area where the axles are inserted into the body remains 1-3/4" wide, or wheels will not fit over the guide strips of the track.

 

PAINTING AND WHEEL ASSEMBLY

Apply several coats of sanding sealer; then sand entire car with a fine-grade sandpaper. Give model at least two coats of fast drying paint, in your choice of color. When paint is completely dry sand with a fine sandpaper, apply a final coat of paint and allow to dry thoroughly. TO FINISH, rub entire car with a

rubbing compound. Details such as windshield, driver, racing numbers, etc., should be added now. For a super finish apply a coat of auto wax and rub to a high gloss. Pre-lubricate axles and wheels using, dry powdered lubricant. Do not use regular oil or silicone spray, since it may soften the plastic. Slide wheels over axles, then gently tap them into the car body grooves with a 1/4" dowel or similar object to within 1/32" of car body. (See Figure 4). Make sure wheels turn freely.

Due to many requests we have eliminated the cockpit section in the Pinewood Derby block to allow for more designs. Copyright ©, 1997, Boy Scouts of America, All Rights Reserved