"What Are The Rules??" How many times have you heard this question? The reason that the question gets asked so often is because one can encounter considerable confusion in interpreting the "guidelines" that are published in several BSA documents. These "guidelines" can be found in the: "Cub Scout Grand Prix Pinewood Derby Guidebook" (BSA #33721) "Grand Prix Pinewood Derby Kit" (BSA Kit No. 17006) "Cub Scout Leader How to Book" (BSA No. 33831) Your Pinewood Derby Committee Makes The Rules Why do we call them "guidelines" and not "rules?" Well, the answer is simple. All of the "guidelines" indicate that your Pack's Pinewood Derby Committee should "... decide on rules and race procedures, then have them printed and distributed to all participants at least two weeks before the Derby race." But Be Carefull ! What this means is that the Pinewood Committee has the final say on the rules. But, there's a catch! What if your son wants to race at the District or Council-level, and / or at other races such as at the Scout-O-Rama? They will have Committee-based rules too. Their rules may differ from your Packs. If your son's car is built according to your Pack's rules, and without regard to the rules governing the other races he's interested in, he may find his car disqualified from subsequent race events! So, do your homework and investigations before your son builds his car! (..... and if you can, make sure your Committee takes the other local race rules into consideration when defining your Pack rules.) Our Pack's "Rules" (as developed by our Pinewood Committee) Cub Scout Pack 215 OFFICIAL PINEWOOD DERBY RULES Length, Width and Clearance a) The maximum overall width (including wheels and axles) shall not exceed 2-3/4 inches. b) The minimum width between the wheels shall be 1-3/4 inches so the car will clear the center guide strip on the track. c) The minimum clearance between the bottom of the car and the track surface shall be 3/8 inch so the car will clear the center guide strip on the track. d) The maximum overall length shall not exceed 7 inches. e) The wheel-base (distance between the front and rear axles) may not be changed from the kit body distance of 4-1/4 inches. Weight and Appearance a) Weight shall not exceed 5 ounces. The reading of the official scale will be considered final. The car may be hollowed out and built up to the maximum weight by the addition of wood or metal only, provided the material is securely built into the body or firmly affixed to it. No liquids or loose materials of any kind are permitted in or on the car. b) 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 or weight specifications. c) Cars with wet paint will not be accepted. Wheels and Axles a) Axles and wheels shall be only as provided in the Official Grand Prix Pinewood Derby Kit. b) Wheels may be lightly sanded to smooth out molding imperfections the tread area. This light sanding is the only modification allowed. Beveling, tapering, thin sanding, wafering or lathe turning of the wheels is prohibited. c) Axles may not be altered in any way except for polishing. d) Wheel bearings, washers, bushings, and hub caps are prohibited. e) The car shall not ride on any type of springs. f) The car must be free-wheeling, with no starting device or other type of propulsion. Lubrication a) Only graphite or powdered teflon "white lube" will be allowed for lubricating the wheels. b) There will be a lubrication table set up at the race. In the interest of fairness, only one lubrication is allowed before the beginning of the first heat race and then once again before the beginning of the first race of the finals. Ground Rules and Competition a) The race is open to all Cub Scouts and Webelos Scouts registered in this Pack. b) Each scout may enter only one car in the competition. Several cars may be constructed but only one may be registered and raced. c) The car must have been built during the current year (the school year in which the Derby is held). Cars that have competed in a previous Derby are not permitted. d) Competition will consist of heat races within each Den, and a series of final heats at the Pack level e) To equalize differences among track lanes, each heat will consist of a number of races equal to the number of cars running in that heat. For den heats, this will be the number of boys in each den. For Pack elimination heats, there will be six cars in each heat. f) In each heat, each car will race in each track lane used for that heat. For example, a den heat with five cars would consist of five races with each car rotating through lanes 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. The heat for a den with eight boys would have eight races, with two cars "sitting out" each race. g) From each heat, the top three cars will advance to race at the next level based on number of points earned. Three points are awarded for first place, two for second, and one for third. The overall winner for the Pack will be the car with the highest number of points after the final race. h) If a car jumps the track, the race will be run again. If the same car jumps the track a second time, that car will automatically place last in that race. i) If a car leaves its lane and interferes with another car, the race will be run again. If the same car leaves its lane a second time and interferes with another car, the race will be run again without the interfering car. The interfering car will automatically place last in that race. j) If a car becomes damaged and can be repaired in a reasonable amount of time (a few minutes), the race will be run again. If not, the damaged car will automatically place last in that race. k) There will be at least two judges at the finish line, who will determine the first, second and third place finishers. The judges may or may not decide to use the electronic finisher for confirmation or to resolve finishes too close to call. If judges disagree about first, second or third places, they can decide to re-run that race. 1) Only race officials and scouts participating in the current race may enter the track area. This rule will be strictly enforced. Inspection and Registration a) Each car must pass a technical inspection before it may compete. Technical inspection and registration of cars occurs on Friday, January 23, 1998, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. b) The Inspection Committee shall disqualify cars which do not meet these rules. If a car does not pass inspection, the owner will be informed of the reason his car did not pass (too long, too heavy, altered wheel base, or the like). Cars which fail the initial inspection may be taken home for modifications and brought back the following Monday for final inspection and registration. c) To enter the race, cars must have passed inspection and be registered by the Final Inspection Deadline. For 1998, this is Monday, January 26, 1998 at 6:00 p.m. d) No cars may be altered in any way after it has been registered. Damage repair shall be allowed during the Derby only if it does not delay the race, but no modifications shall be allowed. e) After passing inspection, no car shall be re-inspected unless repaired after damage in handling or in a race. f) Any participant (including parents of participants) may appeal to the Race Committee for an interpretation of these rules. By a majority vote, the Race Committee will be the final judge of these rules. In case of a tie vote, the decision of the Race Committee Chairperson shall be final. g) Ungentlemanly or unsportsmanlike conduct by any participant or spectator will be grounds for expulsion from the competition and/or the race area. Rewards and Recognition a) The most important values in Pinewood Derby competition are parent/son participation, good sportsmanship and learning how to follow rules. The Awards Committee is responsible for recognizing and encouraging these qualities in addition to traditional racing awards. b) Every participating Scout will receive a Pinewood Derby patch and certificate. c) Every car will be awarded a certificate and/or a ribbon for winning its own unique appearance category (Most Creative, Most Humorous, Most Colorful, Best Paint Job, and so on). d) Medals will be awarded to the first, second and third-place finishers in each den. e) Trophies will be awarded for the first second and third-place finishers overall in Pack 215. These are our "Guidelines & Sportsmanship Notes" Guidelines The Pinewood Derby is a parent-son project. Please feel free to give guidance and minimal assistance to your Scout as he builds his Pinewood Derby car. This is a chance for your son to be part of a team (he and you), and to enjoy the spirit of friendly competition with his peers. Also for your Cub Scout to enjoy the satisfaction of building his own car from the kit provided. For those Cubs unable to build their car at home or anyone who would like some help, there will be two car-building clinics, one in December and one in January (contact your den leader for details). An adult should accompany each Scout who attends the clinic. Because this is a parent/son project, please don't just drop your son off, and don't bring little ones or expect a baby-sitter. At the clinics, advice and tools plus a painting area will be provided, as well as the weight scale. If possible, work on the car over the December holidays. If the project is left to the last minute, the results may be an unfinished car and a disappointed Cub. A special note to all parents and scouts: Together, please read the following article on sportsmanship. While everyone will be trying to win, it's always a good idea to start out by remembering the Cub Scout Motto, "Do Your Best," and some of the basic ideas behind good sportsmanship. Sportsmanship Two things the Pinewood Derby requires each participant to learn are 1) the craft skills necessary to build a car, and 2) the rules that must be followed. Even more important, though, is how we act and behave while participating in the Pinewood Derby or any other group activity. This is called sportsmanship. The first thing to remember about sportsmanship is that everyone's skills are a little different. You may be good at something like singing or drawing, but not as good at something else like basketball or computers. Parents have different skill levels, too. This doesn't mean that you are a good person one time and not good another time. You can always be a good person, whether or not you have good car-building skills. Remember, you and your friends are individuals first and racers second. This idea is often called having respect for others. The second thing to remember is to follow the rules. Without rules, there would be no Pinewood Derby. You will never know if you are really good at doing something unless you follow the rules. This is often called being honest. The third thing to remember about good sportsmanship is that there are winners and losers in every competition. You accept this when you choose to compete. There may be times when you win and feel happy, and times when you lose and feel unhappy. Being a winner is easy, and losing is sometimes hard. If you win, you must not brag or gloat. If you lose, you must not feel jealous or bitter. To be a good sportsman, you must be able to say "I did my best" and be satisfied with the results. You must also be able to appreciate and feel happy for someone else when they run a good race or build a neat car. Good Luck!

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