Pack 379 2006 Pinewood Derby

Rules and Specifications

The car shall be newly built for the current Cub Scouting year. Previous years cars are not allowed.

Your Cub Scout, with some adult guidance, should build their car in accordance with the basic BSA rules and those of Pack 379 below.

Car Body: The body of the car should be made from wood provided in the official B.S.A. Pinewood Derby Kit. Pre carved bodies are discouraged.

Width: Overall width shall not exceed 2.75 inches. The minimum width between the wheels is 1.75 inches.

This will allow the car to fit on a center guide track.

Length: Overall length shall not exceed 7.00 inches.

Wheelbase: The Wheelbase must be 4.3” (4 5/16) inches which is as supplied with the kit.

Ground Clearance: The minimum ground clearance is 3/8 inches.

No weights are to be suspended beneath the car unless in a hollowed out section.

(This prevents contact between the car body and the track during the transition and allows it to compete on a center guide track.)

Weight: Weight shall not exceed 5.00 ounces (.3125 lbs) / 141.72 grams. (The Post Office or supermarket will weigh your car.)

Weights: Derby car weights, washers, coins etc. are acceptable to bring the car up to 5 ounces. No liquid or mechanically activated weights may be used. .

Shape: The car may be carved to any desired shape provided it meets the above specifications. The car can be built up using additional wood plastic or metal.

Details: Details such as steering wheel, driver, decals, painting, and adding of material are encouraged as long as these details are securely attached to the car, and do not exceed the maximum length, width or weight specification.

Design: Scouts are encouraged to design their car not only for speed but creativity. The car can be shaped to look like an animal, army tank, fire engine, pickup truck etc. Design category awards are posted. Judging will be on Tech night & announced on race day.

Wheels & Axles: These components are the heart of fair play in this contest. The materials in the kit conform to the basic specification.

BSA wheels & axles must be used. No Exceptions.

Axles: The axles of the car must be from the official B.S.A. Pinewood Derby Kit or an official Pinewood Derby wheel replacement kit (Cat. No. P1622A). or BSA high performance kit. Axles must be firmly attached to the car. No suspension system of any other type is permitted.

Wheels: The wheels of the car must be from the official B.S.A. Pinewood Derby Kit or an official Pinewood Derby wheel replacement kit. Wheels may not be altered except as noted.

• Mold projection defects on wheel treads may be removed by sanding lightly.
• May not be crowned, they must be flat, and cannot be narrowed.
• The official wheel width is 0.415 inches and they must have a flat tread surface of at least .310”. (5/16”)
• The decorative dots on the wheel sidewall, or the words "B.S.A. Pinewood Derby" may not be removed.
• No added bearings, washers, bushings, or spacers are to be used as part of the wheel assembly or within the wheel cavities.
• No Wheel covers are allowed on the inside or outside of the wheel.
• No graphite or Teflon or other coating is permitted on the exterior flat tread portion of the wheel.
• All 4 wheels must make full contact with the track

Lubrication: Only graphite powder or the BSA dry white lubricant with Teflon may be used to lubricate wheels.

(Warning - other lubricants may damage the plastic wheels and keep them from turning freely and possibly damage the track.)

Technical Inspection (Tech Night):

• Each car must pass inspection by the Official Race Committee on Tech Night before it may compete.
• Tech Night is January 6, 2006 from 7:00 to 9:00 PM at Fort Salonga. This is not a Pack Night.
• Bring extra materiel such as weights and screws or glue so that fine tuning with the official scale can be made
• The scale used at the race is the official scale, and all cars must pass weigh-in on the official scale.
• If, a car does not pass inspection, the racer will be informed of the problem & given time to fix it.
• After Technical inspection the car will be impounded until race day
• If a car cannot pass on Tech Night the racer will be given an opportunity to fix his car and present it to the Committee at a time to be determined

Race Conduct: Good sportsmanship & fair play is expected. The Race will be either double elimination or Stearns method.

• Cheer for all Scouts. With your help, they have all worked hard to do their best.
• Any un-sportsmanlike conduct by the Scout (or parent) will be grounds for immediate disqualification.
• The race fans-Parents, Scouts, Siblings, Relatives & Friends shall not interfere in any way with the conduct of the race or scoring.
• Encroachment into the race zone marked off by the checkered flags can result in disqualification.
• There shall be no interference with the timers or timing table & timing cables during the race.
• Race officials will place cars on the track
• Winning cars will be collected & reinspected at a later date for the District Derby to be held April 1, 2006.
• If a person cannot or does not want to attend the District derby, the next car by place will be entered.
• Scouts or siblings of that Scout roaming in the Fort Salonga School hallways during the races without the escort of a parent or a guardian will be disqualified.
• The Cubmaster, Assistant Cubmaster or Derby Committee Chair, may disqualify any car that in their determination, the car or racer siblings or parents are not in compliance with the spirit of the Pinewood Derby race.

Decisions Of The Judges Are Final

• Special Considerations: Any car that cannot pass inspection and / or is disqualified prior to the race may be allowed to participate in the events, but will not be eligible for timed / elimination race awards. The car may still receive a category award. Do Your Best & Have Fun

A Sampling of Disqualifying / Altered Wheels

Do Your Best & Have Fun