Pinewood Derby 2007

now listed on the Gallery page along with photos of the best and most crowded Pinewood Derby in Pack 4 history. We had some very amazing races (and repeat races)! There was also the largest turnout of Scouts and Sibings that anyone could recall. We had ~99% participation and plenty of fun and food! A great time was had by all (including the under caffinated IT crew). The photos and the official results go here.

Length, Width & Clearance
1) Overall width of car shall not exceed 2¾ inches.
2) Length of car shall not exceed 7 inches.
3) Minimum width between wheels shall be 1¾ inches so that the wheels can clear the center guide strip.
4) Minimum distance between the bottom of the car and the bottom of the wheels shall be 3/8 inch so that the car will clear the center guide strip.
5) The axles must be placed in the slots provided in the wood blocks. This provides a wheelbase (axle to axle distance) of 4¼ inches.
Weight
1) Weight of the car shall not exceed 5 ounces (141.75 grams).
The reading of the Official Race Scale will be considered final.
2) The car may be hollowed out and built up to a maximum weight by the addition of solid and semi-solid materials. Mercury must not be used for adding weight; it is a serious health hazard.
3) All added weights shall be firmly affixed to the car. Any weight which falls off after the car has been inspected may not be replaced.
Wheels & Axles
1) No shaved wheels may be used. The width of the wheel that touches the track must be at least ¼ inch wide and flat. Wheels may be lightly sanded to remove the mold projection on the tread. This light sanding is the only wheel modification allowed. Beveling, tapering, thin sanding, wafering or lathe turning of the wheels is prohibited.
2) The axle pins supplied with the kit must be used.
3) Weighted wheels, wheel bushings and washers are prohibited.
4) The car may not ride on any kind of springs.
5) The car must be free-wheeling with no starting device or other propulsion.
6) Axles may be polished.
Appearance
1) The center of the front-end of the vehicle may not be set back from the sides of the front. In other words, concave front-ends (to gain advantage on the start) are disallowed.
2) Details such as steering wheel, driver, spoilers, decals, painting and interior are permissible, as long as these items do not cause the car to violate any other rule.
3) No loose materials of any kind are permitted in or on the car. The car may be inverted and shaken as part of the inspection.
4) Cars with exposed wet or tacky paint, glue or other substance will not be accepted for registration.
5) A car number will be placed on the front of the car during the registration process. The Scout will be asked to identify the front-end of the car at that time. Be sure to allow a location for this sticker.
Lubrication
1) Only powdered graphite may be used. Regular oils and silicone sprays may soften the plastic wheels.
2) Cars must be lubricated prior to registration. Once the car has been registered, no further lubrication will be permitted. You must supply your own lubricant; none will be provided by the Pack/District.
Inspection & Disputes
1) Each car must pass inspection by the Official Inspection Team before it may compete. The Inspection Team has the right to disqualify those cars which do not meet these rules. Car owners will be advised as to the infractions and be given reasonable opportunity to modify the car to meet the rules.
2) No cars may be inspected or registered once the first race has been run, including those cars which previously failed inspection.
3) Any participant (including a parent of the participant) has the right to appeal to the Race Committee for an interpretation of these rules. The decision of the Race Chairperson will be final.
4) Ungentlemanly, unsportsmanlike, or un-Scoutlike conduct by any participant or member of the audience will be grounds for expulsion from the competition and/or the Race Area.
Pit Rules (Repairs)
1) If a car suffers a mechanical problem involving the wheels or axles only, and a repair can be accomplished in a reasonable time, the heat will be delayed until the car is ready or until all other heats in the round have been run, whichever comes first. If the car is not available by the end of the round, it forfeits the heat.
2) After races begin, any emergency repairs must be done in the designated Pit Area by the Scout only; Parents may supervise, but not assist (exception: Tiger parents may help their Tiger Cub). No lubrication is allowed at this time.
3) Only emergency repairs which are required for the operation of the car may be performed once the car is checked in. Other repairs, such as those required to restore a loose part or weight, are not permitted.
Ground Rules
1) Only the Official Cub Scout Grand Prix Derby Car kits may be used. The Pack supplies each Scout with a single kit.
2) Specifications on the Grand Prix Derby plan supplied with the car will apply.
3) A car may be raced only one year.
4) If a car jumps off a track, it will automatically lose the heat.
5) If the car leaves its lane and interferes with another car, it will automatically lose the heat and the heat will be run again for the other cars.
6) An unauthorized Cub or parent found inside of the Restricted Race Area will cause the participant's car to be immediately disqualified from all competition.

Last years Pinewood Derby page can be found here.