Pinewood Derby

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Official Pack 111 Pinewood Derby Race Rules for 2021 (unchanged from 2020)

CAR PREPARATION

1. The car must be newly built for the current Cub Scouting year. The car should be substantially built by the Scout with parental supervision.

2. Use the official block of wood from the kit. Use the provided slots for the axles. If broken, a new slot can be made as close as possible to the original position.

3. Use the official axles and wheels from the B.S.A. PD Kit (Cat. No. 17006) or wheel replacement kit (Cat. No. 17553-17557). Axles must be firmly attached to the car. The use of bearings or suspension is prohibited. Any polishing of wheels must not measurably modify their width or diameter.

5. Lubrication - use only graphite powder, and only in designated areas.

6. The total weight of the car may not exceed 5 ounces. The maximum length and width of the car (including wheels) is 7 inches by 2.75 inches.

7. The car may be powered only by gravity (no bands, springs, nor rockets). The check-in team may disqualify any car that is incongruous with the spirit of the race.

CHECK-IN PROCEDURE

1. After the Scout has registered, the car will be weighed, measured, and inspected. A scout with a non-compliant car will be given a chance to fix the issue if possible. If no fix is available or acceptable, the car may still be eligible to run the track in an exhibition race or compete in other ways (e.g. "coolest car").

2. A single scale able to resolve to at least 0.1 oz will be used. Cars must not exceed five (5) ounces by the smallest resolution of the scale.

3. A wood jig will be used to check length and width.

4. Once the car is impounded, no maintenance, lubrication, nor handling of any kind is allowed except as directed by the derby officials.

RACE

Handling of the cars during the race will only be done by designated adult race captains.

Timing: Each car will be electronically judged by its average time on all lanes of the track. This cancels any lane differences.

Trophies will be awarded to the Rank winners: 1st, 2nd, 3rd places for best average time.

Finals: The top 3 winners from each Den will participate in the Pack Championship Race (15 cars). The Pack Championship Race will use the best average race time (at least one race in each lane) to determine the Pack 111 Pinewood Derby Champion.

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