Revised 1/16/02

SCOTCH PLAINS-FANWOOD

CUB SCOUT PACK 98

PINEWOOD DERBY

OFFICIAL RULES AND PROCEDURES

(2002 EDITION)

The Pinewood Derby is one of Cub Scouting’s most memorable events.  Scouts learn a lot by building their cars and have great fun competing at the Derby.  Cars can win awards for appearance as well as speed, so Scouts go home with prizes as well as fond memories.

The Pinewood Derby is a parent/son event.  Each Scout should be involved TO THE GREATEST EXTENT POSSIBLE in the design, shaping, sanding, painting and/or decorating of the car.  The parent should be there to help the Scout to create HIS car, rather than doing everything for the Scout.

In order to make the Derby as fair as possible, Pack 98 has established the following Rules and Procedures.

1.                GENERAL RULES AND PROCEDURES

1.1.             Qualification.  All Tiger Cub, Wolf, Bear and Webelos Scouts registered in Pack 98 may design, build and enter cars that are eligible to participate in the Pinewood Derby.

1.2.            Divisions.  The Scouts will race in the following “Divisions”:

(a)              Division 1:  Tiger Cubs

(b)             Division 2:  Wolves

(c)              Division 3:  Bears

(d)              Division 4:  Webelos

1.3.            Cars.  All cars entered shall be constructed from the “Official Grand Prix Pinewood Derby Kit” (the “Kit”) distributed by the Pack.  Additional Kits may be purchased from the Mountainside Scout Service Center.  Kits may be purchased elsewhere if they are of the exact type manufactured by the BSA as specified above.

(a)              New Work.  Construction of all entries must have begun after last year’s Pinewood Derby.

(b)             Pre-Made Cars.  Cars purchased pre-made will not be permitted and will be disqualified.

1.4.            Single Entry.  A Scout may enter only one car in the Pinewood Derby.

1.5.            Attendance.  The Scout need not be present on Race Day to enter his car into competition.

1.6.            Registration, Weigh-In and Inspection.  Before it may compete, each car must pass a weigh-in and technical inspection to confirm compliance with the car design standards set forth in Section 2 hereof.  This occurs during the registration process at the Pinewood Derby.

(a)              Failure to Pass Inspection.  The Registration Team shall disqualify any car that does not meet the rules as described herein.  If a car does not pass inspection, the owner will be informed of the reason his car did not pass and will be given the opportunity to bring his car into compliance with the assistance of the Pit Crew.

(b)             Impoundment.  After a car passes registration, it will be impounded by the Pinewood Derby Committee until the races are over.

(c)              Optional Weigh-In and Inspection.  An optional weigh-in and inspection will occur February 18th at FUMC 6-7pm to give Scouts the opportunity to make conforming changes at home.

1.7.            Numbering.  This year, Scouts will number their own cars in accordance with the list posted in the January Newsletter and on the Website.

1.8.            Interpretation of these Rules and Procedures.

(a)              Generally.  Interpretation of these Rules and Procedures are at the sole discretion of the Pinewood Derby Committee.

(b)             Race Day Rules Interpretation.  On Race Day, any Scout must make all questions of rules interpretations and procedures to the Pinewood Derby Chairman, who may consult with other members of the Pinewood Derby Committee.  Decisions of any other member of the Pinewood Derby Committee on questions of rules interpretations and procedure may be appealed to the Pinewood Derby Chairman.  All decisions of the Pinewood Derby Chairman are final.  Decisions of Pinewood Derby Committee on questions of fact (i.e., the result of a specific race) may not be appealed beyond the Trackmaster and/or Finish Line Judges.

(c)              Car Specifications.  To ensure fairness, race officials will make final judgments on the qualifications of all cars.  Race officials will suggest reasonable adjustments in the cars before any disqualification.

1.9.            Unsportsmanlike Conduct.  Unsportsmanlike conduct by any participant or spectator will be grounds for expulsion from the competition and/or the race area.

1.10.        Important Dates to Remember.  [Isaac to revise dates]

(a)              Wednesday, December 19, 2001.  Pinewood Derby Kits distributed at the December Pack meeting.

(b)             Friday, February 1, 2002.  Technical Workshop I:  6-7p.m. at the First United Methodist Church.

(c)              Friday, February 8, 2002.  Technical Workshop II:  6-7p.m. at the First United Methodist Church.

(d)              Monday, February 18, 2002.  Optional Weigh-In and Inspection:  6-7 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church.

(e)              Friday, February 22, 2002.  Pinewood Derby Day!  Registrations as follows:

(i)                6:30 p.m.:  Divisions 1 & 2

(ii)             6:45 p.m.:  Divisions 3 & 4

2.                CAR DESIGN STANDARDS

2.1.            Materials.  Race cars shall be constructed for this event from the parts contained in the Kit.  Materials from the Kit may be supplemented but not replaced.

2.2.          Size.  Race cars may be no longer than 7 inches, nor wider than 2-3/4 inches, as determined by the official gauges during the Registration and Inspection.  Underside clearance must be at least 3/8 inches and inside wheel-to-wheel clearance must be at least 1-3/4 inches so that the car will run without binding on the race track.  Adequate clearance is the responsibility of the race car builder.

2.3.          Weight.  Race cars may weigh no more than 5 ounces (total weight) as determined on the official scales during the pre-race check-in.

(a)              Additional Weight.  Weight may be added to the car and will be considered part of the car for purposes of all measurements.  All weight must be securely fastened to the car by permanent glue, nails or screws, but not by “sticky substances” (such as tape or tack spray).  Weights shall be passive (i.e., non-moveable, non-magnetic, non-electric, non-sticky, etc.).

2.4.          Wheels and Axles.

(a)              Generally.  The car shall roll on the wheels from the Kit.  The wheels shall turn about the axle nails from the Kit.  Solid axles are not allowed.  The axle nails shall be firmly affixed to the wood of the car body; glue is allowed.  It must be obvious to the judges that the wheels and nails from the Kit are being used.  The pre-cut axle slots in the block must be used.

(b)             Wheel Treatment.  Wheel treatment (removal of burrs or mold excess, hub and tread smoothing and polishing) may not result in substantial removal of mass nor in reducing the wheel width from the original Kit wheels.  Excessive sanding or work done to the wheels will not be permitted.  Rounded, beveled or knife-edged wheels are prohibited.  The portion of the wheel surface that contacts the track must remain parallel to the axle.

(c)              Unacceptable Construction.  The following may NOT be used in conjunction with the wheels or axles:  hubcaps, washers, inserts, sleeves, bearings, bushings or other non-Kit additions.

2.5.          Springs and Suspension.  The car shall not ride on springs or suspension systems.

2.6.          Gravity Power Only.  The car must be free-wheeling, with no starting devices.  The race car may not be constructed or treated in such a way that the track’s starting mechanism provides extra momentum to the car.  For instance, cars with sticky substances on the front of the car and protrusions that may catch on the starting pin are not permitted.

2.7.          Lubricants.  Only dry powdered graphite or white BSA Wheel and Axle Lubricant will be allowed for lubricating the wheels and axles.  No oil, grease or silicone lubricants are allowed  Lubricants may not foul the track.  Lubrication will be available at the race (see Section 3 hereof).

2.8.          Accessories.  Accessories, such as steering wheel and driver, are permissible as long as they do not cause the car to exceed the sizing and weight limits.  No loose materials of any kind are allowed in the car.

3.                CONDUCT OF THE RACES

3.1.            Track Officials.  Track officials are responsible for the proper conduct of the races.

3.2.          Adjustments and Repairs.  If an adjustment to any car becomes necessary, the Pit Crew will perform such adjustment at the Pit Stop.  If, during the race, a wheel falls off or the car becomes otherwise damaged, the Scout may, to the best of his ability, perform repairs with the assistance of his adult partner and the Pit Crew.

3.3.          Race Day Lubrication.  The Pit Stop will have graphite for use by the Scouts.

3.4.          Car Handling.  Once a car is registered, it will be handled exclusively by the Pinewood Derby Committee.  No Scout shall touch any car until the races are over.

3.5.          The Race Itself.  Cars will race against the clock.  Each car will race once down each of the three lanes in the track, alongside other cars from the same Division.  The car with the lowest average time in each Division will be declared the winner.

(a)              Note that a car may win each of the three races in which it competes, but it will not be the winner of the Division unless it has the lowest average time in its Division.

3.6.          Car Leaves Lane.  If, during a race, a car leaves its lane but proceeds down the track in a manner that does not interfere with any other car, the race will be called normally.  If the car leaves its lane and interferes with another car, the race will be re-staged and re-run.  If the same car again leaves its lane and interferes with another car, that car will be judged last place, and the race will be re-staged and re-run without that car.

(a)              Track Fault.  If a car leaves its lane, the Trackmaster may, at his sole discretion, inspect the track.  If a track fault is found that probably caused the initial violation, the Trackmaster may order the race to be re-run after the track is repaired.

3.7.          The Race Area.  Only race officials may enter the track area.  This rule will be strictly enforced.

3.8.          Awards.  Racers shall be recognized as follows:

(a)              Every participating Scout shall receive a Pinewood Derby patch.

(b)             In addition, the following awards shall be given:

(i)                Trophies:  Fastest.  The three fastest cars in each Division will win trophies (1st, 2nd and 3rd places) and will go to the Patriot District Pinewood Derby (being held on March 16th) to represent Pack 98.

(ii)             Trophies:  Most Original & Best Design.  The winner in each of these categories in each Division will win a [trophy] (1st place) a runner up will be selected also and will go to the Patriot District Pinewood Derby.

(c)              Cars may not win awards in more than one category.

4.                THE RACING ENVIRONMENT

4.1.            Lanes.  Each lane will consist of a straight, smooth wooden strip approximately 1-1/2 inches (but less than 1-3/4 inches) wide and approximately 1/4 inches (but less than 3/8 inches) thick, centered on a smooth surface no less than 4 inches wide.  Each race car shall straddle such a strip during its races.

4.2.          Finish Line Judging.  Impartial Finish Line Judges shall be at their stations to observe each race.  Race finish judging is determined by the finish line sensor, but may be challenged by the Finish Line Judges.  If the track’s electronic finish line sensor’s result is challenged by the Finish Line Judges, the race will be re-staged and re-run.

(a)              Finish Line Judge Backup.  A Finish Line Judge will temporarily excuse himself if one of the race contestants is a son or relative.  Backup Finish Line Judges shall be available in case a Judge needs to be excused for any reason.

4.3.          Leader Board.  The results of the races, as well as the current leaders, will be displayed on a Leader Board.

5.                SPORTSMANSHIP, ETC.

5.1.            Elements of Sportsmanship.  Three things the Pinewood Derby requires each Scout to learn are (1) the craft skills necessary to build a car, (2) the rules that must be followed and (3) to be a good winner or loser.  Even more important, though, is how we act and behave while participating in the Pinewood Derby or any other group activity.  This is called sportsmanship.

5.2.          Craft Skills.  The first thing to remember about sportsmanship is that everyone’s skills are a little different.  You may be good at something like singing or drawing, but not as good at something else like basketball or computers.  Parents have different skill levels, too.

(a)              This doesn’t mean that you are a good person one time and not good another time.  You can always be a good person, whether or not you have good car-building skills.

(b)             Remember, you and your friends are individuals first and racers second.  This idea is called having respect for others.

5.3.          Following the Rules.  The second thing to remember is to follow the rules.  Without rules, there would be no Pinewood Derby.  You will never know if you are really good at doing something unless you follow the rules.  This is called being honest.

5.4.          Be a Good Winner or Loser.  The third thing to remember about good sportsmanship is that there are winners and losers in every competition.  You accept this when you choose to compete.  There may be times when you win and feel happy, and times when you lose and feel unhappy.  Being a winner is easy, and losing is sometimes hard.  If you win, you should not brag or gloat.  If you lose, you should not feel jealous or bitter.  To be a good sportsman, you should be able to say “I did my best” and be satisfied with the results.  You should also be able to appreciate and feel happy for someone else when they run a good race or build a neat car.