Race Day

Only scouts from Pack 306 may participate.

Only race officials will be allowed to enter the track area. Everyone else must remain outside of the barricaded area.

Each car must pass a technical inspection before it may compete which will occur during the official car registration. This will include: vehicle weight check, vehicle dimension check, wheel shape inspection, wheel axle inspection, and wheel lubrication inspection.

The race officials have the right to disqualify those cars that do not meet the specifications, or violate these rules and regulations in any way. Once a car has been accepted, a numbered label shall be attached to the underside for identification. The cars will be impounded at check-in and returned after the race.

If a car fails any part of the inspection, the scout and a parent or guardian will be given the opportunity to make adjustments to the car. Race officials will re-inspect the car after adjustments until the car passes inspection or until the scheduled check-in time has ended.

Once a car is checked in it may only be handled by race officials. Once the check-in desk closes, no other cars will be accepted(1). Race officials have the authority to reinspect any cars, at anytime before, during, or after the race, and all cars are subject to immediate disqualification if they are found to be out of compliance with the rules.

1. Cars may be inspected and accepted at other times by making separate arrangements with race officials.

All races are time based and shall follow the same venue. The track has lanes with electronic timers. Each car will race once in each lane. This way there will be no “favorite” track issues. The race order of the cars will be randomized per the electronic race software. After all the cars have run, the fastest of the times for each car shall determine the winner. In the event of a tie, the cars that are tied will have a runoff following the same venue.

If a car jumps off the track, leaves its lane and interferes with another car, the heat will be rerun. If the same car leaves its lane a second time and interferes with another car, that car will be disqualified.

If a car suffers a mechanical problem and a repair can be accomplished within 5 minutes, the heat will be run again. Cars can be repaired only under the supervision of the Official Inspection Team.

The district races are for the 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd place cars in the Pack plus the 1^st place Tiger car. Therefore, the top three cars plus the top Tiger Car will go to the District Finals. If one of the top three cars is a Tiger, then the next fastest non Tiger car will be eligible to go to the District Finals. Each rank will have a 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winner. Your Cubmaster will explain the different scenarios prior to the race.

Additional awards will be presented to each scout for specialty categories such as “Best Paint Job”, Best Scout Theme, Smallest, Most Original Design, etc. The race judges will select the cars for these awards and they will be presented during the race.

The decisions and rulings of the race officials are final. Inappropriate or unsportsmanlike conduct by any participant or member of the audience will be grounds for expulsion from the competition and race area.

Car Guidelines

Cars must be built using the materials in the Official BSA Pinewood Derby Racing Car Kit or the Grand Prix Pinewood Derby Axles & Wheels sold at the scout shops. This includes the pinewood block, axle nails, and wheels. With the exception of decorative or construction items (weights, glue, lubricants, finishing materials), only materials from the official kits may be used. Separately purchased items (including but not limited to

contoured pinewood bodies, machined wheels, full length axles, and polished axles) are specifically prohibited. The car being entered shall be a new car – not a car built from a previous race.

1) Length, Width and Clearance

a) The maximum overall width (including wheels and axles) shall not exceed 2 ¾ (2.750) inches.

b) The minimum width between the wheels shall be 1 3/4 (1.750) inches. The car must clear the center guide on the track.

c) The minimum clearance between the bottom of the car and the track surface shall be 3/8 (0.375) inch. Nothing may hang below the car. The car must clear the center guide strip on the track.

d) The maximum overall length shall not exceed 7 inches.

e) The maximum overall height shall not exceed 4 inches.

f) The wheel-base (distance between the front and rear axles) may not be changed from the kit body distance of 4 1/4 (4.250) inches.

2) Weight and Appearance

a) Weight shall not exceed 5 ounces (141.75 gm). The reading of the official scale shall be considered final. Cars can be re-weighed and adjusted prior to check-in as time allows. FYI we measure in grams.

b) The car may be built up to the maximum weight by the addition of solid material securely built into the body or firmly affixed to it. Liquids or loose materials of any kind (e.g. mercury and lead shot) are strictly prohibited in or on the car.

c) Details such as steering wheel, driver, spoiler decals, painting and interior details are permissible as long as these details do not exceed the maximum length, width, height or weight specifications.

d) Cars with wet paint or glue will not be accepted.

e) The front of the car shall be clearly identified or labeled and visible from the top or front of the car. Cars not clearly marked that go down the track backwards will not be rerun.

f) The car may be carved, sculpted, and/or sanded in order to enhance performance and/or appearance.

3) Wheels, Axles, or Suspensions.

a) Only the wheels and axles from the official Grand Prix Pinewood Derby kit may be used. Wheels and axles not from the official kits are prohibited with the exception of official BSA colored wheels available at the Scout Shop. (They must say BSA on them).

b) Wheels may be lightly sanded to smooth out molding imperfections on the tread or center hole areas. Beveling, tapering, thin sanding, wafering or lathe turning of the wheels is prohibited.

c) Axles may be lightly filed, sanded and polished. This light filing, sanding and polishing is the only axle modification allowed.

d) The axle slots shall not be filled or painted. The nail axles will be inspected and must be visible underneath the car. Clear glue or epoxy can be used to secure the axles.

e) The wheel holes shall not be moved or modified. Note: the holes may be enlarged using a #43 bit to prevent splitting.

f) The car must ride on all FOUR wheels. Cars counterbalanced to LIFT one or more wheels or with canted wheels will NOT be accepted.

g) Wheel bearings, washers, bushings and hub caps are prohibited.

h) The car shall not ride on any type of springs.

4) Starting

a) The car must be free-wheeling, with no starting device or other type of propulsion.

b) The car shall not have any recess or shaping in the front that affects it position at the starting pin.

5) Lubrication

a) Only dry powder lubricants (e.g. graphite and powdered Teflon®) may be used.

b) Lubrication will not be allowed after the car has been checked-in or during the race.

c) Oils and silicone sprays are prohibited.

DO NOT TAKE ANYTHING FOR GRANTED! If you have any questions about building the car or the race, call your Den Leader, Cubmaster, Committee Chairperson, or Race Chair.

Iaoapogh Mountains District Committee