Pinewood Derby

2023 Pack 620 Pinewood Derby

Schedule:

• Tue 20 Dec 2022 @ 7:00pm: Car Cutting at the Pack Christmas Party
• Tue 10 Jan 2023 @ 6:30pm: Registration, Check In, and Impound
• Sat 14 Jan 2023 @10:00am: Pinewood Derby Race

Official Rules:

Participation: Open to all Pack 620 Cub Scouts and Siblings. Parents can race a car in the open division. You do not have to be present to race! We stream the race virtually for those who cannot attend in person. If you are not present for the race you can pickup your car at the 17 Jan den meeting.

Registration: We will have check in and impound for ALL racers on Tuesday, January 10^thfrom 6:30 to 8:00 pm. There will be tools available for modifications if required. BUT PLEASE HAVE YOUR CAR MOSTLY FINISHED. This should be time to fine tune the weight of the car. No wet paint or wet glue will be accepted. If a racer cannot register during this time frame, you will either need approval from the race director and may not be eligible for car design awards.

Construction: The car must be newly built for the current Cub Scouting year. The car should be substantially built by the Scout. Parental supervision in the construction of the car is encouraged.

Inspection: Cars will be inspected during registration for compliance to the specifications set forth below.

Impound: After a car has cleared the registration area, it will be taken and placed in the impound area. After being impounded repairs will be limited to replacement of axles and wheels which are broken or lost during a race. All cars, once registered, will remain in the impound area until the last race.

Racing Method: Racers will be divided into: Pack, Sibling, and Open divisions. Each car will race in each of the 6 lanes 1 time for a total of 6 races. The races will be timed and standings are determined by the average time of each racer. The top three finalists and finishing order within each Den will be decided by the combined time of all their races. The Fastest overall combined time for the Pack Division will be awarded the Fastest Car Trophy. Separate awards for the Sibling and Open division.

Other Awards: We also award the following other awards (sometimes we change/add a few categories): A web link will be published after check in is complete with pictures of each car for voting on the awards.

• Best In Show for Design
• Best Display of Scout Sprit
• Best Food Car
• Best Paint Job
• Best Retro Car
• Best Superhero Car
• Best Use of Color
• Best Use of Flames
• Best Use of Legos
• Best Use of Stickers
• Desperate Use of Weight
• Fastest Design
• Futuristic
• Most Creative Car
• Coolest Design
• Wildest Looking Car
• Best Animal Car
• Best Snack Car
• Most Unusual Car
• Shiniest Car

Repairs: A “Pit Area” with a workbench, hand tools, hot glue gun, spare wheels and axles, weights, and lubricants will be available for repairs. If the car owner (cub) and/or parent are not available to repair the car, an available official will attempt a repair. If the repair cannot be made in a timely manner, typically five minutes, the car will be disqualified, so the race can continue without due delay. A replaced wheel can be lubricated, but those not replaced cannot after impound.

Car Construction Official Rules

Body: The body in the official BSA Pinewood Derby Kit must be used. The body may be shaped, hollowed out, or built up from the original block, as long as it meets all other specifications. Any detail additions to the original body (i.e. steering wheels, drivers, decals, paint, weights, etc.) must be firmly attached and within length, width, and weight limits. No part of the car may sit forward of the start line on the track at the start of a race; “Quickstart/Faststart/headstart” body style is allowed.

Width: The car width at the wheels may not be modified and must be the same as the original kit. Total car width may not exceed 2 3/4″.

Length: Overall length may not exceed 7″.

Height: Overall height may not exceed 3 inches

Wheelbase: The wheelbase (distance between front and rear axles) may be altered as long as the overall length does not exceed the 7 inch maximum.

Ground Clearance: Ground clearance must be at least 3/8″. Must have a smooth bottom. Weights need to be recessed. As the cars are stopped using the bottom of the car.

Weight: The weight of the race-ready car may not exceed 5 ounces also must weigh at least 4 ounces as measured on the official scales. No loose materials of any kind are permitted in or on the car. Mercury shall not be used for adding weight. All exposed lead weight must be covered by paint or fingernail polish. No weight on the bottom of car unless it is recessed as cars are stopped using the bottom of the car.

Wheels: Wheels and axles must be official BSA wheels either from the kit or colored BSA wheels. Cars with “one-piece” front and rear axles will be disqualified. No washers, bushings, bearings, or springs are allowed. Wheels may be sanded to remove flash only. No reductions in width, diameter, or shape of the wheels are allowed. Axles may have burrs removed and polished.

Lubrication: Only dry, powdered lubricants, such as graphite, may be used. No lubrication may be used after a car has been registered and impounded.

Other: Cars must free-wheel with no stored energy devices or moving weights. There is no designated front or back to the supplied body, either end may be the front. No loose materials of any kind (such as lead shot) are allowed in the car.

Open Class: We will have an “open” class:

• This class is for everyone (scouts, parents, leaders, etc) interested. The scouts may enter a car in the “open” class as long as they also enter a car in his respective “rank” class.
• The above rules apply with the following exceptions:
  • Wheels and Axels – Official BSA wheels may be altered or replaced with any style wheel and axel.
  • Weight may be moveable (NOT mercury).
  • “Quickstart/Faststart/headstart” body style is allowed in the open class