Rules for the 2008 Pinewood Derby

To ensure fairness and to provide a means for quickly resolving disputes, the Pinewood Derby competition of Pack 591 will be run according to the following rules. These rules are adapted from the Pinewood Derby rules published by Sammamish Trails District for use at the District Pinewood Derby competition. While this may seem like a lot of rules for what’s supposed to be just a fun event, each rule is the result of a dispute at some previous race.

1. Technical and Resolution Committees

1.1. The Technical Committee will consist of at least three unit leaders and/or parents. One of these shall be appointed as Chairman of the Technical Committee

1.2. Members of the Technical Committee will be selected by the Pack Committee.

1.3. The Technical Committee shall inspect all cars prior to racing to ensure strict adherence to regulations concerning dimensions weight and manner of construction

1.4. The Technical Committee shall supervise the running of all heats of the race

1.5. A three-member Resolution Committee will be chosen by the Pack Committee from the members of the Technical Committee. The Resolution Committee will make all decisions concerning interpretation of the rules disputed finishes and any other matter which requires a ruling or decision The Resolution Committee shall operate by majority rule and their decision is final

2. Car Construction

2.1. Cars should be constructed by the Scouts themselves, as much as this is feasible. Adults should try to limit their role to an advisory one.

2.2. All cars must be constructed from the Official Cub Scout Grand Prix Pinewood Derby kit. The basic car must use only parts furnished with that kit. Substitutions for the car (body block, wheels, axles) are not permitted.

2.3. Overall width of the race car shall not exceed three inches.

2.4. Overall length of the car shall not exceed seven inches.

2.5. The weight of the car shall not exceed five ounces (141.8 grams), as measured by the pack scale.

2.6. No loose material of any kind is permitted in the car.

2.7. Wheel bearings, bushings and washers are not permitted. However it is permissible to apply a graphite lubricant to the axles before the car is submitted for final inspection (see Paragraph 3.1).

2.8. The car must be free-wheeling and use no starting device.

2.9. The car shall not ride on any type of springs.

2.10. Each car must pass inspection by the Technical Committee before it will be allowed to compete. The Technical Committee has the right at any time to disqualify any car which is not in compliance with any of these rules. If a car requires repairs between races it must pass a reinspection before being allowed to continue the race. Repairs and reinspection must be completed prior to the start of the next heat in which that car is to race. The start of a heat shall not be delayed in order to allow repairs and reinspection to be completed.

2.11. The wheels of cars may not be altered in any way (e.g., you can’t sand them down). Wooden axles are not permitted.

2.12. The car may be hollowed out and/or built up to the maximum weight by the addition of wood, metal or plastics provided the added material is securely and permanently attached to the car body.

2.13. The car may contain additions such as steering wheel, tail pipes, wind shield, driven, decals, paint, etc., as long as these items are permanently attached and do not cause the car to exceed the size and weight limits. Do not add items to the underside of the car. as this can affect track clearance.

3. The Race

3.1 Cars not having been inspected and impounded at the pre race technical inspection may not race

3.2 Car wheels shall be aligned and lubricated prior to submission for technical inspection After approval by the committee cars will not be returned to the owner but will be held by the committee until racing is completed Repairs to cars will be in accordance with rule 2.9 There will be no exceptions

3.3 If any part of a car falls off during a race that car shall place last in that heat If for any reason a race car interferes with another car during a race the car causing the interference shall place last in that heat

3.4 If any car leaves its assigned lane during a race and interferes with other cars that heat shall be ruled no contest and the heat rerun. If that same car leaves its assigned lane on the next run it will be automatically disqualified

3.5 Once they have been approved for racing, all cars will be handled exclusively by the Technical Committee This includes placing the cars in holding areas, moving them to the starting line removal from the finish line, and return to the holding area after elimination

3.6 The winner of each heat is that car whose nose first crosses the finish line This shall be determined electronically if suitable equipment is available or by Technical Committee judges if it is not Second, third and fourth place will be determined in the same manner Any disputes will be decided by the Resolution Committee whose decision is final. The Resolution committee may rule on the disputed order of finish or require a rerun of the heat at their discretion. Any continued argument with a Resolution Committee decision may result in that committee disqualifying that car from further competition.

3.7 Each Cub Scout should be present to race the car that he constructed.

3.8 Cars will race in one of four divisions (Tiger Cub, Wolf, Bear, Webelos) based on the rank of the Cub building the car. Each car will run a minimum of four races, moving successively from lane 1 to lane 4. Each car will be awarded points according to its order of finish (first place = 1 point; second place = 2 points etc) Cars will be eliminated or continue racing based on these points until a first second and third place winner is determined in each division.

4. District Pinewood Derby Participation

4.1 Any scout from the pack can participate in the District Derby, if held

4.2 Pre-made cars are against the spirit of Cub Scout competition and will not be allowed.

4.3 Only official Cub Scout Grand Prix Pinewood Derby kits and car parts provided through the Council Scout Shop are allowed.

5. Other

5.1 The judges and/or Technical Committee shall not accept ignorance of the rules as an excuse for non compliance

5.2 Disqualification may come at any time during the race. This allows judges to correct any oversights when they come to the attention of the committee

5.3 The Resolution Committee shall decide all disputes, and their decision is final.

5.4 These rules shall supersede any other rules, including those on the instruction sheet that comes with the Pinewood Derby kits