Pack 541 Pinewood Derby Rules

• The overall length of the car shall not exceed 7 inches.

• The overall width of the car shall not exceed 2 ¾ inches.

• The car must have 1 ¾” clearance between the wheels.

• The car must have 3/8” clearance underneath the body so it does not rub on the track.

• The car shall not exceed 5.0 ounces.

• Car cannot touch other cars - if car accidentally jumps track there will be 2 re-starts - 3rd attempt will result in a disqualification.

• The official race scale that is used at car check-in shall be considered final.

• The official pine wood block must be used. The block may be shaped in any way that is desired.

• Official BSA wheels must be used. The wheels may not be cut, drilled, beveled or rounded. You may remove the seams and imperfections from the wheels.

• There must be 2 wheels on each side of the car.

• The car cannot have any added propulsion

• The axles may be altered, polished and lubricated.

• Once a car passes inspection and is entered into the race, only race committee members can touch it.

• If the car loses a wheel, or is otherwise damaged, the racer shall have 5 minutes to make repairs.

• Each car must pass inspection by the official inspection committee before it will be allowed to compete.

• The Inspection Committee has the responsibility to disqualify those cars that do not meet these rules.

AOL Outlaw Category Rules:

This class allows for almost any method of making a vehicle and making it go fast.

• The overall length of the car shall not exceed 10 inches.

• Vehicle must have >5%(or 1gram) pinewood from original kit.

• The overall width of the car should not exceed 3.25 inches.

• Overall height from bottom wheels cannot exceed 5 inches.

• The car should have 1 ¾” clearance between the wheels.

• The car should have 3/8” clearance underneath the body so it does not rub on the track.

• Car cannot touch other cars - if car accidentally jumps track there will be 2 re-starts - 3rd attempt will result in a disqualification.

• Car cannot damage track

• Car cannot generate fire

• Car cannot have any projectiles. Once vehicle starts moving all parts must be able to stay on the vehicle.

• Parts on car need to be replaced with the same part that was removed.

Pinewood Derby Quick Workshop:

Rules - Strict rules based on experiences from past years, this methodology has been the fastest to help scouts build new cars:

1. We will only be building wedge or block shaped cars.

2. We will not help build cars out of scope for the design examples shown in this link:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1F6y1HbVJ8mzX34Efp3VwlPFatZsLqiEu

3. We will add pieces onto the blocks to shape the car. Scouts will do the work not the adults.

4. Each scout will be safe when cutting the piece of wood to add to their wedge or block shaped car. Listen to and follow safety rules, unsafe behavior will send you home.

5. Parents will accompany scouts at all times.

6. Arrive on time or you will be turned away.

Timing:

50 minutes = Shape the wedge or whole block design Gluing on pre-cut pieces,

30 minutes = Painting and decorating

20 minutes = Paint drying time

20 minutes = balancing, axle installation

Things to bring:

1. Derby car kit (provided by Den leader) and stickers/decorations

2. Snack, water bottle, sun block, and box/tray to hold painted car.

3. Spray paint or Paint Acrylic Brushes will be provided. See Michaels example below:

http://www.michaels.com/craft-smart-gloss-acrylic-paint/M10194068.html

4. Optional: Design should be like samples below - Gridline template:

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1c/PWD_Template.pdf

5. If you would like to polish your wheel axles(nails) please bring a drill or Dremel tool (if available). This is our biggest bottle neck.

Pinewood Derby Logistics

1. Pinewood Derby workshop

   1. Prep: Blocks halved and hollowed for weights

   2. Prep: Scouts

2. Race Day prep

   1. Garage (2 volunteers)

      1. Tasks

         1. Weigh and size cars

         2. Assist with repairs

      2. Tools

         1. Weights

         2. Hot glue gun

         3. Graphite with instructions

   2. Track (3 volunteers)

      1. Computer timer

         1. Name entry

      2. Spreadsheet

         1. Name entry

      3. Track Camera

      4. Internet hotspot

      5. Extra Monitor

   3. Track Setup (2 volunteers

      1. Check in

   4. Awards

      1. Overall Gold Silver bronze trophy

      2. Den Gold, Silver, Bronze ribbons

      3. Overall Trophy for best “Scout” design

      4. Den Design ribbon

   5. Facilities

      1. 3 Tables

      2. 2 beach towels

   6. Snacks

      1. Water, Snacks

3. Need

   1. Bolts

   2. Software

   3. Checking parking

   4. Car trays 3x

4. Side games

5. Race Day Steps

   1. Prep cars

      1. Add graphite

      2. Final fixex

   2. Final Check in - No touching car after checking

      1. Check Size

      2. Check Weight

      3. Write Number on bottom Car

   3. Design Judging ( creative kid design goal)

      1. Scan barcode for Google judging form

         1. Will choose one car for Overall, Lion, Tiger, Wolf, Bear, Webelow 1

         2. Judging closes 1 hour after start of race

   4. Races

      1. Lion Heat

      2. Tiger Heat

      3. Wolf Heat

      4. Bear Heat

      5. Webelos Heat

      6. AOL Outlaw (No race software)

   5. Awards

      1. Lion 1st place trophy

• • • • Ribbon for 2nd and 3rd

5. 5. 2. Tiger 1st place trophy

• • • • Ribbon for 2nd and 3rd

5. 5. 3. Wolf 1st place trophy

• • • • Ribbon for 2nd and 3rd

5. 5. 4. Bear 1st place trophy

• • • • Ribbon for 2nd and 3rd

5. 5. 5. Webelos 1st place trophy

• • • • Ribbon for 2nd and 3rd

5. 5. 6. AOL 1st place trophy

• • • • Ribbon for 2nd and 3rd

5. 5. 7. Pack 1st place

• Ribbon for 2nd and 3rd

5. 5. 8. Most Unique

      9. Best Scout Theme

      10. Most Original

As the race manager, you get to delegate! I found that most parents were happy to help in this fun event. Instead of trying to manage every task yourself, break up the tasks into sub-teams and appoint a leader for each sub-team. For example, I had a “track team”, a “food team”, a “Pit team” and an “activities team”.

Then create a task list for each sub-team which you can discuss with the sub-team leader. This engages the parent so the feel empowered to use their own ideas.

The Track Team is pretty straightforward. Their job is to pick up the track, set it up and test it with the pinewood derby race software to be sure everything is running. They would also be responsible for track break down when the race is over.

Since our races usually spanned dinner time, we would have someone pick up pizza and drinks to sell at the race. This is the job of your Food Team. Their job is to get the pizza and drinks, handle the money and clean up afterwards. Again, petty easy but critical for creating a fun pinewood derby event. Every kid loves pizza!

The Pit Crew is essential for every pinewood derby racing event. The Pit Crew pre-weighs cars and helps with last minute adjustments so the check in process can go smoothly. Checkin is always a bottleneck, so anything the Pit Crew can do to help get cars checked in faster is a big plus.

Last but not least is the Activities Team. Their job, perhaps the hardest of all, is to keep the kids busy while the race is going on. Cub Scouts tend to be excitable at pinewood derby races. This high energy causes them to run around a lot. As a result, things can get chaotic. We created a series of activities to channel this energy into something fun, like building a car stand, taking pictures against a race car backdrop, or even doing creative things like painting balloons.

Once you have your Race Team, get a meeting together to review the race activities and review your Pinewood Derby Rules. Every pinewood derby race has their own set of rules. Be sure your entire team understands and agrees to the rules. Feel free to simplify the rules, if they have gotten too restrictive, or tighten up the rules if your team feels racers are taking liberties.

Below is a breakdown of the race activities and who is responsible for them.

Action

When

Who

October Activities

Reserve gym at school

Or earlier

Cub Master who sets yearly schedule

November Activities

Order car kits

3 weeks before Feb Pack meeting

Race Manager

Pre-announce race date at meeting

Feb Pack meeting

Race Manager

Sign-up volunteers to help with the race

Feb/March meeting

Race Manager

Copy race rules and Pinewood Derby info sheet. Insert into car kits

Race Manager

Test Track

3-4 weeks before

Race Manager

Hand out car kits to Den leaders – at end of meeting so kids don’t open boxes and spill contents!

Feb Pack meeting

Race Manager

Announce Pinewood Derby Workshop to teach how to build a pinewood derby car. This is especially helpful to Tiger Scouts.

FebPack meeting

Race Manager

December/January Activities

Pinewood Derby Workshop

first week of March

Race Manager

Race committee meeting – select people and sign up for activities. Fill in names for sub-team leaders

March

Committee team

Order trophies

Race Manager

Order ribbons and build trophies for Den winners, 1st, 2nd, 3rd place in Den

Race Manager

Give gym layout to Janitors. Order TV and stairs for stage

Race Manager

Race Day

Setup track starting at 3 for 6PM race

January Event month

Track team

Setup check-in table with official scale, post rules

April

Track team

Setup computer, enter contestant names

April

Track team

Layout stage with trophies, ribbons and car holders

April

Track team

Food Ordering

• Order 35 pizzas for 75 kids

• Order liter bottles of soda

• Buy 400 cups, plates, 900 napkins

• Get pizza warmer box

• Get change $1, $5, .25

Food team leader

Car Repair Pit

• Two hot glue guns

• Lead strip and cutter

• Graphite

• Two postal scales

• Screw drivers, wood chisel, extra wheels, axles

Car Pit team leader

Race night activities

Fun stuff to keep scouts and siblings busy while race is going on.

• Balloon shaving

• Ring toss

• Limbo

• Car stand building

• Face painting

• Patch trading

Activities leader

Race Management Tips

• Each car should have a unique number sticker that is attached to the car for identification. the number can also be or painted on the car.

• If you have a lot of kids, divide them up by age. You could start by racing the Tiger Cubs, then move up the ranks. When the Cub Scouts have finished races, you could do a siblings race or have an open class race for the adults.

• Set up the track a day or two before the race so that the kids can make a few practice runs. Bring the scale too so that they can weigh their cars.

• Consider holding an open class race, or unlimited race (with no rules!) after the official Cub Scout Pack race where the adults (and kids) can race unofficial cars.

Email Template:

Event: Pinewood Derby

Location: ______________

Time: Date,12:00pm to 2:00pm (VARIES BY RANK)

Snacks provided: Water and chips

Checkin: (NO LATE CHECK-INs - late cars will not win any awards)

AOL,Webelos and Bears check-in cars at 12pm

Wolf, Tiger, Lion check-in cars at 12:45pm

AOLs will help run the race.

Agenda:

11:00-12:00 - Setup and testing

12:00-12:10 - AOL, Webelos and Bear check-in

12:10-12:45 - Race

12:45-12:55 - Wolf, Tiger, Lion check-in

12:55-1:00 - Design voting

1:00-1:45 - Race

1:45-2:00 - Awards

Simple rules:

See Pack541.com for official rules.

Must have 4 unmodified regulation BSA wheels

Maximums: Width 2 ¾”, Length 7”, Weight 5oz, bottom clearance ⅜

No wheel bearings, wheel washers

Only Dry lubricant

Once car is checked in there are no modifications except for repairs

At Check-in a number will be written on bottom of car in permanent marker

For Outlaw rules refer the Pack541.com website: https://sites.google.com/view/pack-541/campouts-and-outings/pinewood-derby?authuser=0#h.p_ij8yoV01PhbS

Help needed:

8 parents to help in the stations below:

*********Detailed instructions for helpers**********

Check-in Crew: (2 helpers)

Use sizing tool to check cars for size

Adjust car if it is too big to fit in sizing tool

Use scales to check weight is under 5oz -

send them to pit crew if under 4.5oz

Look up scout in laptop and check “passed inspection” and write assigned number on bottom of car in permanent marker

Place car in corresponding numbered slot on table

Pit Crew: (2 helpers)

Tools:

Hot glue gun (adults only)

Pliers

Scissors

Weights

Drill for new axle hole (adults only)

Graphite lubricant

Race Crew (3 helpers)

Run race computer

Move cars from starting table to track

Move cars from end to starting table

Judging coordinator

Ensure that trophies and ribbons match award categories

Collect votes from any parent that would like to vote for design

• 1. Awards

     1. Lion 1st place trophy

        • Ribbon for 2nd and 3rd

     2. Tiger 1st place trophy

        • Ribbon for 2nd and 3rd

     3. Wolf 1st place trophy

        • Ribbon for 2nd and 3rd

     4. Bear 1st place trophy

        • Ribbon for 2nd and 3rd

     5. Webelos 1st place trophy

        • Ribbon for 2nd and 3rd

     6. AOL 1st place trophy

        • Ribbon for 2nd and 3rd

     7. Pack 1st place

     8. Pack 2nd place

     9. Pack 3rd place

     10. Design overall 1st place trophy

         • Ribbon for Scout theme and Originality