Cub Scout Pack 252 - Hudson, NH

Registration and Inspection
All cars must pass inspection to qualify for the race. Each car must pass inspection by the race officials before it will be allowed to compete. The officials have the right to disqualify those cars that do not meet specifications. Cars not passing inspection for minor infractions, i.e., weight, wheel width, loose body trim, will have an opportunity for re-inspection 10 minutes before close of registration.

Official’s decisions are final. The car will be impounded when registered until the races are complete. After being impounded, repairs will be limited to replacement of axles/wheels that are broken/lost during the race. Any other piece of the car that is broken/lost during the race cannot be replaced.

Inspection points

Tips and Hints
FRICTION: One of the best ways to eliminate friction is graphite. A good dosage may not do wonders for the paint job, but it will for your axles (hopefully you didn't glue the axles too far in or that will impair the wheel). Most axles in the kits have burrs on them around the head. Deburr the axles with a small file.

WEIGHT: It boils down to this, the closer you get to 5 ounces without going over, the better off you will be. The placement of the weight on the car (front or back) is an item which has been argued for years. Weight toward the rear seems to work best, as long as the front wheels track straight. Just remember – gravity is the only power these cars use.

AERODYNAMICS: There are just about as many arguments on this topic as there are Pinewood Derby racers. It has been tried, several times, to race a car, as is, straight out of the box with no cutting, shaping or painting of the wood. These cars seem to perform, on average, just about as well as the low, sleek, aerodynamic models. The bottom line is: Let the boy design the car, and help him achieve his design! If the adult wants to tinker with the car, tinker with the wheels and axles. The car design has almost no bearing on the outcome of the race.

ALIGNMENT: Make sure that the car's wheels are placed as straight as possible. Place the car on the floor and roll it about 8 to 10 feet. The car should go in a straight line. Adjust with the axle placement to make double sure the car will roll straight.

WHEELS and AXLES: Make sure that the axles are glued securely to the wood. Also ensure that the wheel is not glued to the axle. The wheels are single most important part. Make sure the wheels are on straight and turn freely.

DESIGN / SHAPE: The finish line uses electronic infrared sensors to detect the car moving across the finish line. These sensors are directly centered in each lane of the track. The starting gate of the track uses a bolt in the center of the track. This is to ensure that the length of roll each car will have to the finish line sensors will be the same for each car no matter what the shape of each car is. Keep a high track clearance so that nothing has a chance to rub on the underside of the car. Remember that the cars straddle a wood lath as they roll down the track.

PAINT: Let your imagination run wild!! Whether you use 50 coats of hand rubbed lacquer, olive drab or no paint at all, all it will do is affect the looks of your car. It will not run any faster or slower whether it's red, blue, green, yellow, flames, no-flames, or pink polka-dots!! Let the boy paint the car. Drips of spray paint don't slow the car down.

ACCESSORIES: Glue those Lego and Pokemon characters in! Anything that falls off in the race stays off. This can lighten you car enough to slow it down.

SEE ALSO: Event - Pinewood Derby - Procedures

Pack 252 Pinewood Derby Rules

1. Good Sportsmanship is required at all times.

2. Ground Rules
a. The race is open to all Scouts in Pack 252. The top three winners at the pack level will be selected to represent the Pack at the Arrowhead District Pine Wood Derby in April. If one of these is unable to attend, then the 4th place winner should be selected. If he is unable to attend then the 5th place winner, and so on.
b. Cars must have been made for the current year’s Pinewood Derby. Cars made for previous year derbies are not permitted.
c. The winners will be determined by a process documented separately.
d. 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.
e. If a car leaves its lane and interferes with another car, the heat will be run again. If the same car leaves its lane and interferes with another car, the heat will be run again without the interfering car. The interfering car will automatically lose the heat.
f. 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.
g. The winner of each heat will be determined by automatic mechanism at the finish line. If the finish line mechanism fails, the heat will be run again.
h. Only race officials and boys racing will be permitted inside marked track areas. As with all rules, this rule will be strictly enforced.

3. Inspection
a. Each car must pass inspection by the official inspection team before it may compete. The inspection team has the right to disqualify those cars that do not meet these rules. Car owners will be informed of the violations and given an opportunity to modify the cars to meet these rules with the help of the Pack Pit Crew.
b. After successful inspection, cars will be impounded in a controlled area until after they are done racing.
c. Cars advancing to District Pinewood Derby will not be returned until the day of the District Pinewood Derby.

4. Vehicle Size and Clearance
a. Maximum overall width (including wheels, axles, and details) shall not exceed 2 3/4”.
b. Minimum width between wheels shall be 1 3/4”
c. Minimum clearance between the bottom of the car and the bottom of the wheels shall be 3/8”
d. Maximum length shall not exceed 7”, including all added trim and vehicle accessories.
e. Maximum height shall not exceed 3”, including all added trim and vehicle accessories.
f. The wheelbase (distance between front and rear axles) may not be changed from the Official Kit. (4 3/8”). The wheels must go in the slots pre-cut out in the wood, (You cannot make new indents and move the wheels forward or backward along the frame of the car.)

5. Weight and Appearance
a. Weight shall not exceed 5 oz. The readings of the official race scales will be considered final. The car may be hollowed out and/or built up to the maximum weight by the addition of wood or metal only, provided it is securely built into the body or firmly affixed to it. Weights affixed to the outside bottom of the car may be used provided they meet the minimum clearance requirements (See paragraph 4c)
b. Mercury will not be used for adding weight. It is a potential health hazard.
c. Details such as steering wheel, driver, spoiler, decals, painting, and interior details are permissible as long as these details do not violate other provisions of these rules.
d. Cars with wet paint will not be accepted.

6. Wheels and Axles
a. Only the official Scout Grand Prix wheels and axles distributed with the official kit can be used. Wheels and axles CANNOT be modified, except as noted below.
b. Wheel bearings, washers, or bushings are prohibited.
c. The car shall not ride on any type of springs.
d. The car must be free-wheeling with no starting device or other propulsion.
e. Wheels cannot be altered in any shape or form. (Exception: the plastic flashing or molding burr can be carefully removed. The side bead must still be showing)
f. Car must rest on a minimum of 3 wheels at the starting gate.

7. Lubrication
a. Only dry powdered lubricants, such as graphite, may be used. Regular oils, Teflon, or silicon lubricants or sprays may soften the plastic wheels and are therefore not permitted.
b. Cars may be lubricated before inspection. No further lubrication will be permitted.

8. Problems
a. See rule #1a
b. Any participant (including the parent of the participant) has the right to appeal to the Pack Committee for an interpretation of these rules. The Pack Committee will be the final judge of these rules.
c. Unsportsmanlike conduct by any participant or member of the audience will be grounds for expulsion from the competition and/or race area.
d. Situations not covered by these rules will be resolved by the Pack Committee. This decision will be considered final.

9. HAVE FUN!