 Welcome to the Richmond 384! What is the Richmond 384? It is former blocks of pine that are now small, handmade cars that look like Swiss Cheese, NASCARs, Indy Cars or a pickup all running on a wood track. Mom and Dads cheering on their Scouts as the starter gate is tripped. Scouts cheering each other on to each others successes. This is the Pinewood Derby! The first Pinewood Derby was held in 1953 by Cub Scout Pack 280 of Manhattan Beach, California. 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 Pinewood Derby is open to all Tiger Cub, Wolf, Bear and Webelos Scouts registered in Pack 3842. Cars should be built by the Cub Scouts with some adult guidance and any technical assistance should be fully explained to the Cub Scout so that he can use that knowledge on future projects. Most of all, the Pinewood Derby is fun! There are as many ways to run a Pinewood Derby as their are Packs. Here is how Pack 3842's Pinewood Derby, or the Richmond 384, is run. There are two series that will race at the Richmond 384. Scout Series The race is open to all Cub Scouts (Tiger, Wolf, Bear) and Webelos Scouts registered to Pack 3842. All Scouts whose car passes official race day inspection will compete in the Scout Series. All Scouts will race their car in Rank Duels. The top car in each Rank Duel will advance to the Richmond 384 Championship. Scout Series cars will also be entered into the Design contest. Awards will be given as voted upon by the Scouts themselves. Open Series The Open Series is for brothers and sister who want to race. Racers must be 12 or younger. Cars can be purchased from the Pack and all Open Series cars must follow the Official Pinewood Derby rules. Adult Series Bragging rights are at stake when the adults race their cars. Cars must follow Official Pinewood Derby rules and the race is open to anyone aged 13 or older. Racers may only race in one Series. Cars raced in one Series can not be raced in another Series. Cars in all Series must be made during the current year. Cars run during previous year races are not allowed.  Research and Development Workshop The Pack will provide a work day for the Pinewood Derby. Participation in the work day is not mandatory to be eligible to run in the Pinewood Derby. This night is for those needing help with designing and cutting out their cars. A scale for weighing cars will be available. Templates should be printed before hand. Track Build and Happy Hour Track Build and Happy Hour will be held the evening before the Pinewood Derby. Those who have attended a track build are encouraged to help and those who have not are encouraged to attend to learn how to set up the track, After track and tables have been set up, there will be a 15 minute Happy Hour practice session for Scouts who helped with the set-up night. This will be the only practice session avaliable. The official scales will be available to weigh cars. Richmond 384 Car Registration and Race Inspection begins at 8:00 a.m. All cars, regardless of race, must be checked in and inspected. Driver introduction begin immediately afterwords. Races will begin immediately after driver introductions. Each rank will run one after the other, in rank order, with no set time to begin. Open Series will be run intermixed with the Scout Series.
Past Scouters are encouraged to bring their Pinewood Derby's for the Vintage Car Show. Cars will be put on display for Scouts and guest to view. If you won a trophy, bring it to!  Concession Stand There will be a concession stand avaliable during the race. You will be able to purchase items like donuts, milk and water. Pinewood Derby Awards Each Rank Duel will have a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place medal awarded. The first place car in each Rank Dual will advance to the Pack Championships. There will be 1st through 5th place trophies for the Pack Championship and 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place medals awarded for the top three places in the Open Series. Cars racing in the Scout Series will be entered in the Design contest. The contest is voted upon by the Scouts and compete for a 1st, 2nd and 3rd place trophy. There is no design competition for Open Series. All Scout participants will also receive a Pinewood Derby Patch. Official Pinewood Derby Rules Each Pinewood Derby car must pass inspection by the official inspection committee before being allowed to race. 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 adjustments. After final approval, cars will not be reinspected unless the car is damaged in handling or in a race. By entering the race, each Scout and Open Class racer agree to the following rules:
Official Grand Prix Pinewood Derby Rules, Copyright 1997 Boy Scouts of America Pack 3842 Pinewood Derby Rules
Each car must pass inspection by the official inspection committee before it may compete. The inspectors have the right to disqualify a car which does not meet these specifications. A disqualified car may be altered and reinspected to qualify. The car must pass inspection prior to the Scout's first scheduled race. Disqualification The decision of the inspection committee is final. If a disqualifying fact is discovered after a car has been raced, the car will be denied any further competition after the disclosure. The car from that heat race with the second fastest time will be run in its place. Cars Jumping Track If a car jumps off the track, the heat will be run again. If the same car jumps off the track a second time, it will automatically lose the heat. If a car leaves its lane and interferes with another car, the heat will be run again. If a car leaves its lane and interferes with another car a second time, the heat will be run again without the interfering car (the interfering car will automatically lose the heat). Mechanical Problems If a car suffers a mechanical problem, loses an axle, breaks a wheel, etc., and a repair can be accomplished in a reasonable time, the heat will be run again. If not, the car will automatically lose the heat. Scouts are responsible for watching their cars for weighted parts that may fall off. If a part is found before the next heat then the Scout has two minutes to put the part back on. If the Scout can not complete the repairs in two minutes, they must race the next race without repairs. If the next race is run before the broken piece is found, the race will stand and the Scout will have two minutes to make the repair. The races run will stand as raced. If the piece that falls off the car does not effect performance then the car will continue without repairs. The two minutes will begin as soon as the car is handed to the Scout. If a car is repaired, it must be re-weighed before it can compete. While these specifications for the Richmond 384 may seem lengthy, they are consistent with Cub Scout Pinewood Derby Racing. If you have any questions concerning these specifications or rules please contact your Den Leader or Pinewood Derby Committee Member. Race Day Tips
Online Resources These resources are offered to you as is. They are not official BSA websites and the BSA or Pack 3842 is responsible for their content.
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Pack Honors |
Richmond 384 |