Pinewood Derby
Pack 506 Pinewood Derby
The Pinewood Derby will be on Friday, February 5th from 6:30pm until 8:30pm.
The weigh in will be held on Tuesday, February 2nd in the College Park MPR.
Race Rules & Car Recommendations
General
- The Cub Scout motto is “Do Your Best”.
- Our objective is to promote healthy competition and good sportsmanship. The purpose of the event is for the enjoyment of the boys, to create a car with an adult, and have fun doing it. Most of all “have fun and do your best”.
Rules & Regulations
Rules accompanying the Official Grand Prix Pinewood Derby kit must adhere to in addition to the following specified by Pack 506.
All cars must pass inspection and be registered to qualify for the races.
Cars must have built during the current year (the school year in which the Derby is held) for this race. Cars that have competed in previous years or by someone else are not permitted.
Scouts must be present to race unless a proper explanation is given to officials. Another scout member of the family may race the car on behalf of that person if given approval.
Cars must be built using the materials in the official BSA Pinewood Derby Kit received from the Pack. With the exception of decorative and construction items (weights, glue, graphite lubricants, finishing materials), only materials from the official kit may be used. Separately purchased items (pre-contoured pinewood bodies, machined wheels, and polished axles) are specifically prohibited.
Any participant (including a parent/guardian of a participant) has the right to appeal to the Judging Committee for an interpretation of these rules. The Judging Committee, by majority vote, will be the final interpreter of these rules. In case of a tie vote, the decision of the Race Committee Chairperson will be final.
If any of the materials provided in BSA Pinewood Derby Kit are discovered to be defective, please return entire kit to the Pack leader to receive a replacement.
Length, Width, AND Clearance
1. Maximum length of the car shall not exceed 7”.
2. Maximum overall width (including wheels and axles) must not exceed 2 ¾”.
3. Maximum height of the car shall not exceed 3”.
4. Minimum width between wheels shall be 1 ¾” so the car will clear the center guide strip.
5. Minimum clearance between the bottom of the car and the bottom of the wheels shall be 3/8” so the car will clear the center guide strip. It is recommended that weights on the bottom of the car be inset so they are flush with the bottom of the wood block.
6. Car nose design must be such that no part of the car protrudes beyond the starting post when at rest.
Weight And Appearance
1. Weight of the car shall not exceed 5 ounces (141.7 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 wood, metal, cardboard, and/or plastic, provided it is securely built into the body or firmly affixed to it, and provided that the original wood block is the dominant material used.
2. No liquids or loose materials of any kind are permitted in or on the car. Cars with wet paint or non-dry surface will not be accepted.
3. Using tape (masking, scotch, etc.) to hold weights on the care is prohibited. Weights must either be fastened with screws or adhesives.
4. Details such as steering wheel, driver, spoiler, decals, painting, and interior details are permissible as long as these details do not exceed the maximum length, width, height and weight specifications.
Wheels And Axles
1. Only the official Scout Grand Prix wheels and axles can be used. Axles may be polished however.
2. The pre-cut grooves for securing wheel/axles must be used. The wheelbase (distance between front and rear axles) MAY NOT be changed for the kit body distance of 4 1/4 (4.250) inches. The grooves must remain 90-degree angle to the car body.
3. Wheels may be lightly sanded to remove the mold projection on the tread. This light sanding is the only wheel modification allowed. Any part of the wheel that have been beveled, tapered thin, grooved, rounded, sanded, or lathe turned will not be permissible.
4. Wheel bearings, wheel covers (hubcaps), washers, or bushings are prohibited. Decorative fenders are permissible but must not exceed the overall width or length of the car.
5. The wheels shall be the only moving part on the car. The car shall not ride on any type of springs. Cars must be freewheeling with no starting device or other propulsion.
6. All wheels must touch a flat surface and not be tilted in any direction as to reduce the surface area of the wheel. The tread on each wheel must be flush with a flat surface - the wheels on a free standing car shall not rotate (beyond 1 complete rotation) freely independent of a flat surface.
Lubrication
Only dry powdered graphite lubricants may be used. Regular oils and silicon sprays are prohibited. Cars must be lubricated by the participant before final registration. Cars may not be lubricated during the race.
Car Inspection And Registration
1. Each car must pass inspection by the Pack Inspection Team before the race. The Inspection Team has the right to disqualify those cars, which do not meet these rules. Car owners will be informed of any violations and given an opportunity to modify the car to meet these rules.
2. Cars can be re-inspected at any time. If the car does not meet specifications, it must be brought into compliance before its next scheduled race or be disqualified.
3. If you car is over the 5 ounce limit, the additional weight must be removed to conform to the limit.
4. Race officials are not required to make modifications for you to meet rules and regulations.
5. Any car that needs to be adjusted to meet rules and regulations can be returned on race day to be re-inspected.
6. Once a car meets proper specifications and is registered, it will be assigned a number will be impounded until race time. No one, other than the race officials, for the purpose of storing and organizing the event, will be allowed to touch the cars.
Note: If the car after final inspection does NOT meet rules specifications, it may compete providing it does not pose a problem on the track or interfere with other cars. This is at the discretion of the race officials. A car that does not meet rules and specification will incur a 1 second added to their overall race time and cannot place in the final standings.
The Race
1. Once cars are placed in the pit area, they may only be removed by the Scout when it is their turn to race in a heat. They must be returned to the pit area after the have completed a heat and the cars must remain in the pit area until after the race.
2. No one other than the Scout and race officials will be permitted to handle the cars during the race.
3. Unsportsmanlike conduct by any participant or member of the audience could be grounds for expulsion from the competition and/or the race area.
4. Only race officials will be permitted in the track area. This rule will be strictly enforced.
5. Scout and Race officials will place the cars on the track and return it to the pit area after the heat. All people, except the race officials, must remain behind the designated barrier.
6. The car whose nose is first over the finish line is the winner of the heat; each car races against the clock.
7. There will be enough races in an event to permit each car to run once on each lane. If a car leaves the track, runs out of its lane, interferes with another car, loses an wheel/axle that inhibits another car, etc., the heat will be rerun. If the same car gets into trouble on the second run, the contestant is disqualified and automatically loses the race. If, on the second run, another car is interfered with, the heat will be run a third time but without the disqualified car.
8. If a car becomes damaged or looses a wheel and can be repaired in a reasonable amount of time (a few minutes), the car can continue to race. Only the damaged part can be repaired and no other enhancements (wheel adjustment, added lubricant) will be permitted. The officials reserve the right to re-inspect the car so that the repairs are brought into compliance with the rules.
9. The winners of the race will be determined by the total time of each heat race. The first place winner is determined by the lowest average time (total time/number of races). Second and third place will be determined by the second and third lowest average times and so forth for the remaining placements.
10. Awards will be announced and handed out shortly after the finish of the derby.
Helpful Hints
The kit provided for making your pinewood derby car has all the pieces needed. If any of the material provided in the official BSA Pinewood Derby Kit is defective, please return entire kit to the Pack leader to receive a replacement. If you make a mistake and need to replace any parts, especially the wood, please ask Pack leader for new one. Please do not purchase a kit from a hobby store since they are slightly different and may not meet inspection.
Design and Cut-out
- Trace out the block of wood from the side and top onto a piece a paper. Make a design within the outlines and cut out with scissors. Trace the cut-outs onto the block of wood.
Keep the design simple!
- Cut the top of the car first. Cut the sides of the car second if design calls for it. Maintain the width of the block round the wheel axles.
- Do not make the front of the car too pointed or too high (above 3/4”) as it is hard to set up on the starting post. No part of the car should extend beyond the starting point.
Weights
- Allow for ¼ to ½ ounce of weight for paint (primer, paint).
-Weights should not stick out beyond the legal dimensions of the car. If putting weights on the bottom of the car be sure to recess it – the weight may not clear the track guide.
- Secure the weights with screws, self-adhesive or super-glue. The weights should not loose.
Sand and Paint car
- Sand with 100 grit sandpaper and finish with 150.
- Cut out two pieces of card board (or thick paper) and insert into axles slots before panting. This provides a stand to paint the car and prevents paint from getting into the slots. It’s easier for glue to adhere to the wood than paint when securing the axles.
- Use a primer or sealer – otherwise the finished paint will be absorbed by the wood.
- Allow the paint to dry for a least a day or two, especially if using metallic paints. Paint should be hard to the touch.
- Put decals on after paint. May use clear coat on car.
Wheels and Axles
- Remove burs from the axles with a file.
- Spin axles in drill or Dremel tool using fine sand paper.
- Do not try to round axles since this makes the axles smaller. They do not need to be perfectly round since the wheel ride on 1/3 of the axle.
- Push the axles in as far you can with thumb (“easier said than done”). Tap slightly with hammer. Use a dime to space wheel to body. Be sure wheels do not stick out too far.
- Leave axles unglued until inspection to ensure wheels are flush to flat surface. Use super-glue (one drop per axle) to secure axles in the provided grooves after inspection.
- Do not alter existing angle of the grooves for the axles; this may cause improper alignment of wheels. Do not re-cut new axle grooves or drill new holes if the wood breaks. Either repair or ask for a new block of wood.
Inspection
- Once you have built your car, weigh it to ensure it is 5 ounces or less. The Post office or local hobby store can weigh your car for you. It’s better to bring a car in slightly under weight than it is to have to take weight off/out. You can always add a little more weight during inspection.
The Pinewood Derby will be on Friday, February 5th from 6:30pm until 8:30pm.
The weigh in will be held on Tuesday, February 2nd in the College Park MPR.
Race Rules & Car Recommendations
General
- The Cub Scout motto is “Do Your Best”.
- Our objective is to promote healthy competition and good sportsmanship. The purpose of the event is for the enjoyment of the boys, to create a car with an adult, and have fun doing it. Most of all “have fun and do your best”.
Rules & Regulations
Rules accompanying the Official Grand Prix Pinewood Derby kit must adhere to in addition to the following specified by Pack 506.
All cars must pass inspection and be registered to qualify for the races.
Cars must have built during the current year (the school year in which the Derby is held) for this race. Cars that have competed in previous years or by someone else are not permitted.
Scouts must be present to race unless a proper explanation is given to officials. Another scout member of the family may race the car on behalf of that person if given approval.
Cars must be built using the materials in the official BSA Pinewood Derby Kit received from the Pack. With the exception of decorative and construction items (weights, glue, graphite lubricants, finishing materials), only materials from the official kit may be used. Separately purchased items (pre-contoured pinewood bodies, machined wheels, and polished axles) are specifically prohibited.
Any participant (including a parent/guardian of a participant) has the right to appeal to the Judging Committee for an interpretation of these rules. The Judging Committee, by majority vote, will be the final interpreter of these rules. In case of a tie vote, the decision of the Race Committee Chairperson will be final.
If any of the materials provided in BSA Pinewood Derby Kit are discovered to be defective, please return entire kit to the Pack leader to receive a replacement.
Length, Width, AND Clearance
1. Maximum length of the car shall not exceed 7”.
2. Maximum overall width (including wheels and axles) must not exceed 2 ¾”.
3. Maximum height of the car shall not exceed 3”.
4. Minimum width between wheels shall be 1 ¾” so the car will clear the center guide strip.
5. Minimum clearance between the bottom of the car and the bottom of the wheels shall be 3/8” so the car will clear the center guide strip. It is recommended that weights on the bottom of the car be inset so they are flush with the bottom of the wood block.
6. Car nose design must be such that no part of the car protrudes beyond the starting post when at rest.
Weight And Appearance
1. Weight of the car shall not exceed 5 ounces (141.7 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 wood, metal, cardboard, and/or plastic, provided it is securely built into the body or firmly affixed to it, and provided that the original wood block is the dominant material used.
2. No liquids or loose materials of any kind are permitted in or on the car. Cars with wet paint or non-dry surface will not be accepted.
3. Using tape (masking, scotch, etc.) to hold weights on the care is prohibited. Weights must either be fastened with screws or adhesives.
4. Details such as steering wheel, driver, spoiler, decals, painting, and interior details are permissible as long as these details do not exceed the maximum length, width, height and weight specifications.
Wheels And Axles
1. Only the official Scout Grand Prix wheels and axles can be used. Axles may be polished however.
2. The pre-cut grooves for securing wheel/axles must be used. The wheelbase (distance between front and rear axles) MAY NOT be changed for the kit body distance of 4 1/4 (4.250) inches. The grooves must remain 90-degree angle to the car body.
3. Wheels may be lightly sanded to remove the mold projection on the tread. This light sanding is the only wheel modification allowed. Any part of the wheel that have been beveled, tapered thin, grooved, rounded, sanded, or lathe turned will not be permissible.
4. Wheel bearings, wheel covers (hubcaps), washers, or bushings are prohibited. Decorative fenders are permissible but must not exceed the overall width or length of the car.
5. The wheels shall be the only moving part on the car. The car shall not ride on any type of springs. Cars must be freewheeling with no starting device or other propulsion.
6. All wheels must touch a flat surface and not be tilted in any direction as to reduce the surface area of the wheel. The tread on each wheel must be flush with a flat surface - the wheels on a free standing car shall not rotate (beyond 1 complete rotation) freely independent of a flat surface.
Lubrication
Only dry powdered graphite lubricants may be used. Regular oils and silicon sprays are prohibited. Cars must be lubricated by the participant before final registration. Cars may not be lubricated during the race.
Car Inspection And Registration
1. Each car must pass inspection by the Pack Inspection Team before the race. The Inspection Team has the right to disqualify those cars, which do not meet these rules. Car owners will be informed of any violations and given an opportunity to modify the car to meet these rules.
2. Cars can be re-inspected at any time. If the car does not meet specifications, it must be brought into compliance before its next scheduled race or be disqualified.
3. If you car is over the 5 ounce limit, the additional weight must be removed to conform to the limit.
4. Race officials are not required to make modifications for you to meet rules and regulations.
5. Any car that needs to be adjusted to meet rules and regulations can be returned on race day to be re-inspected.
6. Once a car meets proper specifications and is registered, it will be assigned a number will be impounded until race time. No one, other than the race officials, for the purpose of storing and organizing the event, will be allowed to touch the cars.
Note: If the car after final inspection does NOT meet rules specifications, it may compete providing it does not pose a problem on the track or interfere with other cars. This is at the discretion of the race officials. A car that does not meet rules and specification will incur a 1 second added to their overall race time and cannot place in the final standings.
The Race
1. Once cars are placed in the pit area, they may only be removed by the Scout when it is their turn to race in a heat. They must be returned to the pit area after the have completed a heat and the cars must remain in the pit area until after the race.
2. No one other than the Scout and race officials will be permitted to handle the cars during the race.
3. Unsportsmanlike conduct by any participant or member of the audience could be grounds for expulsion from the competition and/or the race area.
4. Only race officials will be permitted in the track area. This rule will be strictly enforced.
5. Scout and Race officials will place the cars on the track and return it to the pit area after the heat. All people, except the race officials, must remain behind the designated barrier.
6. The car whose nose is first over the finish line is the winner of the heat; each car races against the clock.
7. There will be enough races in an event to permit each car to run once on each lane. If a car leaves the track, runs out of its lane, interferes with another car, loses an wheel/axle that inhibits another car, etc., the heat will be rerun. If the same car gets into trouble on the second run, the contestant is disqualified and automatically loses the race. If, on the second run, another car is interfered with, the heat will be run a third time but without the disqualified car.
8. If a car becomes damaged or looses a wheel and can be repaired in a reasonable amount of time (a few minutes), the car can continue to race. Only the damaged part can be repaired and no other enhancements (wheel adjustment, added lubricant) will be permitted. The officials reserve the right to re-inspect the car so that the repairs are brought into compliance with the rules.
9. The winners of the race will be determined by the total time of each heat race. The first place winner is determined by the lowest average time (total time/number of races). Second and third place will be determined by the second and third lowest average times and so forth for the remaining placements.
10. Awards will be announced and handed out shortly after the finish of the derby.
Helpful Hints
The kit provided for making your pinewood derby car has all the pieces needed. If any of the material provided in the official BSA Pinewood Derby Kit is defective, please return entire kit to the Pack leader to receive a replacement. If you make a mistake and need to replace any parts, especially the wood, please ask Pack leader for new one. Please do not purchase a kit from a hobby store since they are slightly different and may not meet inspection.
Design and Cut-out
- Trace out the block of wood from the side and top onto a piece a paper. Make a design within the outlines and cut out with scissors. Trace the cut-outs onto the block of wood.
Keep the design simple!
- Cut the top of the car first. Cut the sides of the car second if design calls for it. Maintain the width of the block round the wheel axles.
- Do not make the front of the car too pointed or too high (above 3/4”) as it is hard to set up on the starting post. No part of the car should extend beyond the starting point.
Weights
- Allow for ¼ to ½ ounce of weight for paint (primer, paint).
-Weights should not stick out beyond the legal dimensions of the car. If putting weights on the bottom of the car be sure to recess it – the weight may not clear the track guide.
- Secure the weights with screws, self-adhesive or super-glue. The weights should not loose.
Sand and Paint car
- Sand with 100 grit sandpaper and finish with 150.
- Cut out two pieces of card board (or thick paper) and insert into axles slots before panting. This provides a stand to paint the car and prevents paint from getting into the slots. It’s easier for glue to adhere to the wood than paint when securing the axles.
- Use a primer or sealer – otherwise the finished paint will be absorbed by the wood.
- Allow the paint to dry for a least a day or two, especially if using metallic paints. Paint should be hard to the touch.
- Put decals on after paint. May use clear coat on car.
Wheels and Axles
- Remove burs from the axles with a file.
- Spin axles in drill or Dremel tool using fine sand paper.
- Do not try to round axles since this makes the axles smaller. They do not need to be perfectly round since the wheel ride on 1/3 of the axle.
- Push the axles in as far you can with thumb (“easier said than done”). Tap slightly with hammer. Use a dime to space wheel to body. Be sure wheels do not stick out too far.
- Leave axles unglued until inspection to ensure wheels are flush to flat surface. Use super-glue (one drop per axle) to secure axles in the provided grooves after inspection.
- Do not alter existing angle of the grooves for the axles; this may cause improper alignment of wheels. Do not re-cut new axle grooves or drill new holes if the wood breaks. Either repair or ask for a new block of wood.
Inspection
- Once you have built your car, weigh it to ensure it is 5 ounces or less. The Post office or local hobby store can weigh your car for you. It’s better to bring a car in slightly under weight than it is to have to take weight off/out. You can always add a little more weight during inspection.