Pack 457
Pinewood Derby Rules

All Cub Scouts must have paid their Pack fees and be in good standing prior to registration for the Pinewood Derby. We use the same rules that the Arapahoe District uses. 

WHEN:                    March 17th, 2005
WHERE:  Greenwood Elementary Gym
REGISTRATION:       5:15 – 6:00 pm,
JUDGING:                  6:00 pm sharp!
RACING:                    6:15 pm sharp!

1.      The derby car shall be made by the Cub Scout with the assistance of his parents. Cars from previous years cannot be registered or raced again.

2.      The car shall be made from the official kit issued by the Pack. Additional decals, exhaust pipes or other dress-up accessories are permitted, subject to the following restrictions.

3.      Official heels and axles are required. No speed axles are permitted. Straight through or one-piece axles are not allowed. Axle channels must be visible – DO NOT COVER the axles. Axles cannot be relocated from the original position of the official kit. Axles may be polished.

4.      Wheels may be sanded to remove the mold projections on the tread. This light sanding is the only wheel modification allowed. Beveling, tapering, thin sanding, wafering or lathe turning of wheels is prohibited.

5.      Wheel bearings, washers or bushings of any type are prohibited. The car cannot ride on any type of springs. The car must be freewheeling with no starting device or other means of propulsion.

6.      Lubricants for axles and wheels must be powdered graphite ONLY – No Substitutions. No further lubrication will be allowed after registration.

7.      Cars may not be extended in width, length, or height from the original block of wood furnished with the kit. The dimensions of the car must not exceed 2 ¾ inches in width, 7 inches in length or 4 inches in height. When the car is weighed at registration, it must fit in the official measuring frame as furnished by race officials.

8.      The minimum width between the wheels shall be 1 ¾ inches so that the car will clear the track guide strip. The minimum clearance between the bottom of the car and the track shall be at least 3/8 inch so that the car will clear the track guide strip. Do not attach weights to the bottom of the car or raise the axle because the car may drag on the track guide strip.

9.      The cars front bumper that rests on the starting peg shall not be retracted in any manner.

10.  At registration, all cars shall be given to race officials to be weighed. Cars will be kept by race officials until the race is over or the owner withdraws from the derby. No alterations or improvements will be allowed after registration. Anyone other than race officials handling the car after registration will disqualify the car for participation in the derby. Please bring the car ready to race because there will not be time for any adjustments at registration.

11.  At registration, labels furnished by the race officials will be attached to each car showing entrant number, den number and division (Tiger, Wolf, Bear and Webelos). There also is an open division for parents, siblings, etc. to enter a car to race.

12.  There will be a pre-race judging of cars in three categories: Best Design, Best Paint Job, and Best Funny Car.

13.  Only race officials will be allowed into the registration and track area.

14.  Each car will run in a minimum of two qualifying heats. The top 8 cars from the qualifying heats will race in two car head to head single elimination races until one winner and a runner-up are determined from each of the four divisions. The 4 division winners will race off in tow car head to head single elimination races until one winner and a runner-up are determined for the overall Pack Championship.

15.  If a car jumps off the track, the heat will be run again. If the same car jumps off the track a second time, the heat will be run again without the jumping car, which will lose the heat by disqualification.

16.  If a car leaves a lane and interferes with another car, the heat will be run again. If the same car leaves its lane and interferes with another car a second time, the heat will be run again without the interfering car, which will lose the heat by disqualification.

17.  If a car has a mechanical problem, (loses an axle, breaks a wheel, etc.) and a repair can be made in three minutes or less, the heat will be run again. If not, the car will lose the heat by disqualification.

18.  There will be three judges at the finish line. The majority must agree on the winner or the heat will be run again.

19.  Each division winner and runner-up will receive trophies. The open division winner and category winners will receive trophies. The overall Pack Champion also gets the traveling trophy.

20.  Ungentlemanly or unsportsmanlike conduct by any participant or member of the audience will be grounds for expulsion from the competition and/or race.