Running the Pinewood Derby

The Track

Items to Bring

Lessons Learned

If the starting laser won't stay on it could be because it is too weak (it has a life expectancy of about five years and was bought in December of 2009).
If the computer doesn't record the correct results it could be that the cable connecting it to the track has a poor ground.
If a lane fails (has a dash at the finish line instead of a digit) it could be that the LED at the finish line is misaligned or is blocked by dust).
If there are problems suspected with the start trigger mechanism, you can find a wiring diagram here or in a Google Docs document called Derby_Starter_Diagram stored in the "Events/Pinewood Derby" folder of the Pack 95 administrative account

Items to Bring

Items to Bring

Den leaders do impoundment.
Den leaders assign certificate awards.
Den leaders carry cars from impoundment to the track start.
Impoundment brings check-in list to those running the finish line.
Those at finish line pass lane assignments to start.
Start double-checks lane assignments with finish.
When both start and finish are ready, run race.
Den leaders carry cars from the track end back to the start.
Final results are passed to den leaders so winner's certificates (previously assigned) can be discarded (and replaced by trophies).
Final results are passed to MC (or den leader) so awards and certificates can be distributed.
Results must be saved for later reporting to District.

Items to Bring

A laptop with a serial port to connect to the track and a video/monitor port to connect to a projector.
A screen to project race results onto (or a big white wall in a convenient location).
A RS-232 cable to connect to the projector.
A projector.
A projector table.
Paper lane sheets, which are tables useful for documenting lane assignments for each race.
Duct tape to secure wires running across the floor.
Extension cords
Pencil or pen

DerbyMaster

Derbymaster is the software used to do the race timing and ranking. Refer to DerbyMaster Notes for more information.

Plan B

If electronic timing is not possible, it will be necessary to fall back to plan B. Here are the basics:

Two qualifying races for each car, plus a final with the top six.
Scheduling may need to be done manually. Assign lanes randomly. Mix up cars so same ones are not run against each other in second qualifier.
Record lane assignments for each race.
Record placement for each lane (1st, 2nd, etc.).
After two qualifying rounds, total placements for each car (a 1st and 3rd place results in a total of 4).
Any ties for the top six places are broken by a run-off.

Have den leaders be responsible for deciding which car gets which certificate.
The certificates are in a Google Docs document called DerbyCerts stored in the Files/Events folder of the Pack 95 administrative account.
Trophies are available at Burlington Trophy.