Pinewood Derby
Pack 497 loves our Pinewood Derby! This year’s derby will be held on Sunday, January 24, 2010, at Cedar Ridge, from 1:00 – 2:30 pm. Bring your family and friends!
Dates, Times, and Details
Derby Day is Sunday, January 24, from 1:00 – 2:30 pm. We transform the school cafeteria into the ultimate Short Track!
Weigh-in day is Friday, January 22. Bring your car to Cedar Ridge at 6:30 pm to have it weighed. Cars can be no heavier than 5 ounces! Drills, weights, and other tools will be available for those last-minute customizations to bring your car to the ideal weight. All cars will be stored by the Pack until Derby Day.
Each scout should have received a car kit from his den leader at the November Pack Meeting. Get yours and get going! It’s never too early to start.
Brothers, sisters, and parents can compete too! The entry fee of $5 for siblings and $10 for parents includes the car kit. There will be a racing division for Family, and also a Leaders division! To get your car kit, contact your den leader or visit a scout shop.
Rules
Click here for a printable version of the Pinewood Derby rules.
Width: Car cannot be more than 2 3/4 inches wide.
Length: Car cannot be more than 7 inches long.
Weight: Finished car cannot weigh more than 5 ounces. The weight shown on the Official Race Scale is final. All car parts and materials must be firmly attached. To increase the car’s weight, add wood or metal only. Don’t use Mercury to add weight because it’s not safe. Scale at weigh-in is official, no exceptions!
Height: Car cannot be more than 4 inches high.
Wheel Placement: The car body must be at least 1 3/4 inches wide at the axles. It must clear the ground by at least 3/8 inch. If desired, you may change the wheelbase (distance between front and rear axles). The four wheels, two on each side of the car, must be placed such that the car will straddle the lane guide and maintain all four wheels in contact with the surface of the track.
Wheels and Axles: Use only Official Scout Grand Prix wheels and axles. You can polish the axles. You may lightly sand the wheels to remove the molding seam on the tread. No other wheel changes are allowed. You may not use bearings, washers or bushings.
Springing: The car may not ride on any type of springs.
Details: Details such as Steering Wheel, Driver, Decals, Painting, Interior Details are okay. The finished car with details must meet the maximum length, width and weight rules. Cars with wet paint will not be accepted.
Attachments: The car must be freewheeling with no starting devices.
Lubrication: Use dry powdered graphite only. You may not use any other lubricant, especially oils and silicone sprays. No graphite may be applied inside the school building, or after car inspection.
Inspection: Each car must pass inspection by the Official Inspection Committee before it may compete. The Inspectors will disqualify any car not meeting these rules. Any adult or scout may appeal the findings of the Inspectors to the Pack Committee Chairperson, whose decision is final.
Previous Cars: Cars from previous years will be allowed to race, but will not qualify for awards.