Pack 312 Official PINEWOOD DERBY Race Rules Derby Car Kits: The Pack will make available for purchase to all Scouts the official BSA Pinewood Derby Kit. No precut kits or non-BSA kits will be allowed to compete in the Races or the Car Design Competition. Paint, decals, accessory trim pieces, and weights are allowed.
Inspection: Cars will be inspected and weighed by the officiating race staff during registration at the Weigh-in for compliance with the specifications set forth below. Cars that fail to meet specifications will not be permitted to race. If a car does not pass inspection, the Scout will be informed of the reason for failure, and will be given time within the official weigh-in time period to make any necessary adjustment. After final approval, cars will not be re-inspected or weighed unless the car is damaged in handling or in a race.
Impoundment: Cars having been accepted in the Inspection process will be impounded and will be safely delivered to the finals by the Cubmaster or racing staff. Cars will not be returned to these Scouts until the end of the finals. Graphite lubricant may be added by the Scout prior to and between any heat, excluding the Finals, but no other adjustments may be done except repair or replacement of axles or wheels that are broken during the race. Cars that are not proceeding to the final heat will be given back to the Scouts after the Preliminaries and they may continue to work on their paint job or other decorations in preparation for the car judging which will occur after the Finals races. Please note that Scouts whose cars qualify for the Finals will not be given the opportunity to perform additional work on their cars for the Design Competition due to the impoundment.
CAR SPECIFICATIONS:
Body: The body in the official BSA Pinewood Derby Kit, supplied by the Pack, must be used. Bodies of other materials will be disqualified. The body may be shaped, hollowed out, or built up from the original block as long as it meets all other specifications. The nose of the car can not be grooved or slotted in any manner which causes it to have the front of the car past the starting peg and that will place the front of the car closer to the finish gate. Any additions to the original body (drivers, decals, paint, weights, etc.) must be firmly attached.
Dimensions: The car width at the wheel locations (wheel base width) may not be modified. It must be the same as the original kit (1 3/4”). Other portions of the car body width may be narrower if desired. Overall width (measured to the outside of the wheels) may not exceed 2 3/4”. Overall length may not exceed 7”. This includes any weights, decorative tailpipes, etc. Overall height may not exceed 4". Minimum bottom clearance below the body must be at least 3/8” to prevent dragging on the guide strip. The wheelbase dimension (the distance between the front and rear axles) shall be determined by the grooves cut into the car body as provided in the kit and may not be altered.
Wheels & Axles: Only BSA wheels and axles furnished in the official kit are allowed. No washers, bushings, bearings, rubber tubing, or springs are allowed. Axles may be polished if desired. The bottom surface of the wheels may be sanded to remove any blemishes left from manufacturing. No additional shaping of the wheels is allowed (such as sanding/turning into a "H", "V", or "U" shape). Wheel surface must remain flat with full tread surface. Cars must have four wheels and three wheels must make contact with the track at all times.
Weight: The weight of the race-ready car must not exceed five (5) ounces (141.7grams). Weight will be measured using the official scales when the car is registered at the Weigh-in. After the official weigh-in, no adjustments may be made to the car. Mercury or other liquid may NOT be used as a weight.
Lubricant: POWDERED Graphite is the only approved lubricant. No oil or silicone may be used. Lubricant may be applied to the Axles by the Scout or parent only prior to the race. Once races begin, no additional lubricant may be applied. Lubricant may not be applied to the bottom surface of the wheels.
Car Numbers: Assigned numbers will be temporarily attached to the underside of the car with a colored dot, permanent marker, other sticker by the racing staff at the time of registration. Other numbers (decals) may appear on the car, but the assigned number will be used for tracking the cars by the racing staff.
Other: Cars must freewheel with no stored energy or movable weights. There is no designated front or back to the supplied body - either end may be the front. If desired, the Scout may label the front of the car on the bottom to avoid confusion by the race staff.
Sportsmanship: Scouting encourages good sportsmanship. Cars will be disqualified if the Scout, Scout's Family, or Parents display unsportsmanlike conduct on the race site. Remember, it is only a race and the object is for all Scouts to have a great time!
RacES
All Above Rules Apply to All Races Scouts: Scouts will only be allowed to race cars constructed in the current Scouting Year. Scouts may not re-race a previously raced car. Scouts will compete at the Den Level, with 1st place finishers advancing to the Trail (Tigers, Wolves, Bears, and Webelo's) Level. 1st Place Trail Finishers will advance to the Pack Finals. The Race Committee reserves the right to regroup or classify races as circumstances dictate. Siblings: Sibling entries will race in open sibling races, not den levels. Siblings may newly construct or re-use a previously raced car. Adults: Adult entries will race in open adult races against other adults. Adults may newly construct or re-use a previously raced car. Adults are expected to set the example for good sportsmanship for our Scouts.
Remember - Unsportsmanlike conduct will result in disqualification of the related Scout's, Adult's, and Sibling's entries. Revision 1.1 Date: 2008-12-5 Rich Lewis "There is no teaching to compare with example." ~ Robert Baden Powell | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
