Post by dsracing on Jan 6, 2010 7:41:27 GMT -7
I am running our pack and district derby again this year. I want to encourage the scouts to do as much work on their cars as possible. My 10 year old has read the boards here more than I have so he knows how to build a fast car. I want the rules to be liberal, but want the scouts to do the work, ie... finishing their own wheels and axles. I don't like DQing scouts because the dads bought 1 gram wheels!! Any help or suggestions on the rules I have would be greatly appreciated!!
2010 Official Pinewood Derby District Rules
1) All cars, wheels and axles must be from the BSA Model Kit. Like those sold at the Great Trail Council Scout Shop. You may use the official BSA colored wheels also. The new BSA wheels may be used as well as the old wheels, as long as they are official BSA wheels.
2) All cars must pass inspection to qualify for the race. The inspection points are as follows:
a) The car must have been made during the current year. Cars cannot be reused.
b) The width of the car shall not exceed 2-3/4 inches including the wheels. The space between the wheels must be at least 1 5/8” to fit on the track.
c) The length of the car shall not exceed 7 inches.
Note…The block of wood in the car kit needs to be modified. It is not always 2-3/4" x 7".
d) The car must have a clearance of no less than 3/8”. Less than that, and the car may drag on the
center of the track.
e) The weight of the car shall not exceed 5 ounces. The closer to 5 ounces, the faster. No loose or liquid weight will be permitted. The official weight is to be determined by the district scales.
f) Axles, wheels and body wood shall be as provided in the BSA Kit. Official colored BSA wheels are allowed. Do not buy wheels and axles from pinewood derby shops. The scouts can sand and polish their own wheels and axles.
g) Wheel bearings, washers and bushings are prohibited.
h) The car shall not ride on any kind of spring.
i) Any details that are added must be within length, width and weight limits.
j) New axle holes and different wheel bases may be used.
k) The car must be freewheeling.
l) No starting devices. The front of the car must have a flat area to accommodate the starting gate. The flat surface must be perpendicular to the bottom of the car so there is no starting advantage.
m) No part of the car may extend past the starting gate.
n) No loose materials of any kind [i.e. lead shots] are allowed in the car.
o) Axles may be lubricated by powered graphite only. No lubricating oils or other lubricants may be used.
p) No hubcaps are permitted.
q) The surface of the tires [wheels] must be flat! Rough edges and mold marks may be removed and the tires may be polished. Coned hubs are allowed. Do not reduce the weight of the wheels. The beading must be intact. Wheels modified beyond what a Scout can do WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO RACE. If we need to take a wheel off to measure and weigh it, we will. Specifications of the wheel will be based on the year the wheel was manufactured. The new official BSA wheels are slightly different.
Please spare your son and us this embarrassment!
r) Any Scout car that does not meet these specifications, will be given the option of fixing the car before final check-in. If they cannot fix it, they can still be in the appearance competition and race in the adult/sibling race.
3) All cars must be made by the Scouts. Parents or other adults may give some assistance, but the Scout should do the main portion of the designing and building on the car.
4) Once the car has been weighed and inspected, the car will be placed on a table to await the start of the race. No one except the designated pit crew will be allowed to handle the cars until after the race. No further modifications can be made on your Scout's car. If the judges see a problem [i.e. a wheel coming off, etc.], it is up to their discretion to ask the Scout to correct the problem so the car can race. Every attempt will be made to have every Scout race and be successful.
5) No car will be permitted to race without the driver [the Scout] present.
6) Each heat will be announced. Drivers will report to the starting line and hand it to the starter. Only Race Staff and Current Racer will be allowed in. All other people must remain behind the line/barrier.
7) The starter will make sure the cars are on the track properly and then the race will start.
8) Pinewood Derby Cars that have loose parts either will have to remove the loose parts or the car will not be able to race. Cars that can’t stay on the track during the race will not be able to race.
2010 Official Pinewood Derby District Rules
1) All cars, wheels and axles must be from the BSA Model Kit. Like those sold at the Great Trail Council Scout Shop. You may use the official BSA colored wheels also. The new BSA wheels may be used as well as the old wheels, as long as they are official BSA wheels.
2) All cars must pass inspection to qualify for the race. The inspection points are as follows:
a) The car must have been made during the current year. Cars cannot be reused.
b) The width of the car shall not exceed 2-3/4 inches including the wheels. The space between the wheels must be at least 1 5/8” to fit on the track.
c) The length of the car shall not exceed 7 inches.
Note…The block of wood in the car kit needs to be modified. It is not always 2-3/4" x 7".
d) The car must have a clearance of no less than 3/8”. Less than that, and the car may drag on the
center of the track.
e) The weight of the car shall not exceed 5 ounces. The closer to 5 ounces, the faster. No loose or liquid weight will be permitted. The official weight is to be determined by the district scales.
f) Axles, wheels and body wood shall be as provided in the BSA Kit. Official colored BSA wheels are allowed. Do not buy wheels and axles from pinewood derby shops. The scouts can sand and polish their own wheels and axles.
g) Wheel bearings, washers and bushings are prohibited.
h) The car shall not ride on any kind of spring.
i) Any details that are added must be within length, width and weight limits.
j) New axle holes and different wheel bases may be used.
k) The car must be freewheeling.
l) No starting devices. The front of the car must have a flat area to accommodate the starting gate. The flat surface must be perpendicular to the bottom of the car so there is no starting advantage.
m) No part of the car may extend past the starting gate.
n) No loose materials of any kind [i.e. lead shots] are allowed in the car.
o) Axles may be lubricated by powered graphite only. No lubricating oils or other lubricants may be used.
p) No hubcaps are permitted.
q) The surface of the tires [wheels] must be flat! Rough edges and mold marks may be removed and the tires may be polished. Coned hubs are allowed. Do not reduce the weight of the wheels. The beading must be intact. Wheels modified beyond what a Scout can do WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO RACE. If we need to take a wheel off to measure and weigh it, we will. Specifications of the wheel will be based on the year the wheel was manufactured. The new official BSA wheels are slightly different.
Please spare your son and us this embarrassment!
r) Any Scout car that does not meet these specifications, will be given the option of fixing the car before final check-in. If they cannot fix it, they can still be in the appearance competition and race in the adult/sibling race.
3) All cars must be made by the Scouts. Parents or other adults may give some assistance, but the Scout should do the main portion of the designing and building on the car.
4) Once the car has been weighed and inspected, the car will be placed on a table to await the start of the race. No one except the designated pit crew will be allowed to handle the cars until after the race. No further modifications can be made on your Scout's car. If the judges see a problem [i.e. a wheel coming off, etc.], it is up to their discretion to ask the Scout to correct the problem so the car can race. Every attempt will be made to have every Scout race and be successful.
5) No car will be permitted to race without the driver [the Scout] present.
6) Each heat will be announced. Drivers will report to the starting line and hand it to the starter. Only Race Staff and Current Racer will be allowed in. All other people must remain behind the line/barrier.
7) The starter will make sure the cars are on the track properly and then the race will start.
8) Pinewood Derby Cars that have loose parts either will have to remove the loose parts or the car will not be able to race. Cars that can’t stay on the track during the race will not be able to race.
