Pinewood Derby

The pinewood derby is an annual racing event. Cub Scouts, with the help of parents, build their own cars from wood, usually from kits containing a block of pine, plastic wheels and metal axles.  There’s a great article about the Pinewood Derby from Boys Life Magazine.

Race Day:  February 10, 2012
Brookvale Elementary School Multi-Purpose Room

Schedule

• 5:00 Set-up
• 6:00 Event opens
• 6:00-6:40 Car Tuning/Test Runs/Check-in
• 6:45 Flag Ceremony
• 6:55 Tiger Racing
• 7:15 Wolf Racing (includes both Wolf dens)
• 7:35 Bear Racing
• 7:55 Webelos Racing 1
• 8:15 Webelos Racing 2
• 8:35 Snack Bar closes (at end of all Webelos Races)
• 8:35-8:45 Miscellaneous Racing (as time allows)
• 8:45-9:00 Finals
• 9:00 Finals Awards, Participation Awards Announced

All times are approximate. Please plan to be early for your races.

In order to race more efficiently, the next den to race needs to have their cars check-in and ready for racing before the end of the prior den’s race. A good rule of thumb would be to have all cars for the next race quarantined within 5 minutes of the start of the prior race.

Race Program

There are 5 race divisions (by Scout rank): Tiger, Wolf, Bear, Webelos I, and Webelos II. Each division will race to determine a den champion, who will then participate in the finals to determine the pack champion.

Den Race Rounds

In dens with 6 or fewer racers, the cars will be slotted starting in lane 1 according to alphabetical order of the racer’s name. After each race, the car in the farthest lane is slotted in lane 1, and the other cars are moved one lane up. This continues until racers have raced in each lane.

For each race, the placing of the car is tallied and the racers are awarded

• 1st place = 9 pts
• 2nd place = 7 pts
• 3rd place = 5 pts
• 4th place = 3 pts
• 5th place = 1 pt
• 6th place = 0 pts

The racer with the most accumulated points at the end of the set of races will be the den champion, and will advance to the Grand Championship round.

In dens/ranks with more than 6 racers, the racers will be split as evenly as possible into two groups using random order, and the above format is used to determine a winner for that group. When the two groups have determined a winner, the top four racers will run-off using the above format to determine a single den/rank winner.

Grand Championship Round

The den champions will race in the above format with the cars ordered in round one by Tiger, Wolf, Bear, Webelos I, and Webelos II. Rotation of the racers is then the same as described in the den heats.

Awards

For each den/rank, the First and Second Place finishers will be recognized with den awards. In the Grand Championship Round, the First, Second and Third Place finishers will be recognized.

Special Awards will also be presented to the scouts for cars that are extra cool in a variety of areas!

Derby Rules

Follow rules in the official derby kit.

• Scouts are to build and design cars.  Parental supervision and minimum assistance is allowed.
• No pre-cut body kits are allowed.  Use the wood block provided in the kit.
  • Maximum width, including wheels and axles, shall not exceed 2 3/4 inches.
  • Minimum width between the wheels shall be 1 3/4 inches so car will clear center guide strip.
  • Minimum clearance between bottom of car and track shall be 3/8 inch.
  • Maximum length shall not exceed 7 3/8 inches.
  • Maximum height is 1 1/2 inches.
  • Weight shall not exceed 5 ounces or 141.75 grams.  Race scale is the official scale.
• Mercury shall not be used to add weight.  Added weight shall not include loose materials or taped on coins.
• Details, such as a driver, decals, spoilers, etc. are permitted as long as they do not exceed weight and size limits.
• Cars with wet paint will not be allowed.
• Only official wheels and axles from kit allowed.
• Wheel bearings, washers and bushings are prohibited.
• The car cannot run on any type of spring.
• The car must be free wheeling, with no propulsion system being used.
• Only dry powdered lubricants like graphite can be used.  Oils and silicon sprays soften the wheels and are not allowed.
• Cars are to be lubricated ahead of inspection/weigh-in.  No further lubrication will be permitted after registration.

After official weigh-in, cars will be kept by race officials throughout racing program.

Inspection team has final “say”.

Food Table Staffing

The food table will be staffed on a rotating basis so that parents of racers will be able to watch their racers. The time for staffing will rotate as follows:

Racing Den	Staffing Den	Approx. Times	Volunteers
Tigers	Webelos 2	6:55-7:15
Wolf	Tiger	7:15-7:35
Bear	Wolf	7:35-7:55
Webelos 1	Bear	7:55-8:25
Webelos 2	Webelos 1	8:25-8:45

The concession will shut down after the Webelos race and before the Den and participation ribbons are awarded so all parents can participate in that and the finals viewing.

Each den should arrange for volunteers to staff the table during their shift. Thanks to all for your help.

Thank you for your cooperation and enjoy the races!

Pinewood Derby Participation Awards

Sample list of awards that can be given to participating racers

• Best Paint Job
• Most Colorful Paint Job
• Shiniest Paint Job
• Best Use of Color
• Most Realistic Paint Job
• Most Realistic Looking Car
• Most Original Design
• Coolest Design
• Best Funny Car
• Most Unusual
• Sportiest Looking
• Best Workmanship
• Best Use of Imagination
• Mos Aerodynamic Car
• Best Detail
• Most Humorous Car
• Fastest Looking Car
• Most Decals
• Smoothest Finish
• Strangest Shape
• Most Futuristic
• Most Patriotic
• Best Wedge Shape
• Best Driver in the Car
• Best Vehicle Not a Car
• Best Design
• Most Unique