RACE CLASSES
A) Tigers – open ONLY to Tiger Cubs
B) Wolves – open ONLY to Wolf Cubs
C) Bears – open ONLY to Bear Cubs
D) Webelos – open ONLY to Webelos Scouts
E) OPEN – Open to ANY entrant
F) UNLIMITED – open to ANY entrant, with ‘relaxed’ rules
NOTES
A Cub Scout cannot race in Class “E” or “F” unless he is ALSO running a car in his
respective Scout Class (A – D). In other words, Classes E and F are for people other
than Scouts, or for REALLY ADVENTURESOME Scouts who want to build 2 or 3
different cars. Scouts can race up to 3 cars. Other (non-Scouts) can race up to 2
cars. Each car must have been built by the person racing the car. Trophies will be
awarded in each class. NOTE: This is NOT Den by Den, but Rank by Rank.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE CUBS WILL RECEIVE HELP AND CONSULTATION WHILE
BUILDING THE CARS, BUT THAT THE CUBS WILL HAVE A SUBSTANTIAL HAND IN
THE CONSTRUCTION, WITH OLDER SCOUTS RECEIVING LESS ASSISTANCE THAN
YOUNGER SCOUTS
SPECIAL AWARDS
The following “Special Awards” will be voted on by the BOY SCOUT troop that is
running the race. ONLY CUB cars will be allowed to win these awards.
1 - “COOLEST CAR”
2 - “MOST REALISTIC LOOKING CAR”
3 - “FUNNIEST CAR”
4 - “CAR OF THE FUTURE”
5 - “STRANGEST SHAPE”
6 - “MOST COLORFUL”
7 - “BEST WORKMANSHIP”
8 - “MOST CREATIVE”
9 - “AERODYNAMIC DESIGN”
10 - “MOST ARTISTIC”
11 - "MOST CUB SCOUT SPIRIT"
12 - "THE TURTLE AWARD"
CAR DIMENSIONS (Classes A – E,. Class F rules listed later)
1) Maximum WIDTH is not to exceed 2 ¾ inches.
2) Maximum LENGTH is not to exceed 7 inches.
3) Maximum WEIGHT is not to exceed 5 ounces.
4) Minimum WIDTH between the wheels (right to left) is not to be less than 1 ¾
inches. This is the width of the unfinished wood block.
5) Minimum CLEARANCE between the car and the track shall be 3/8th inches.
(Weights attached to the underneath of a car will drag on the track guide).
GENERAL RULES
It is the intention of the Rules Officials to make EVERY EFFORT to be fair to each
Scout and also to the Pack and Parents. A great deal of work and effort goes into
each car and into organizing and running the race. Please feel free to point out any
irregularities to a Race Official BEFORE the winners are announced and trophies are
awarded.
1) Only one entry per scout in any class. Separate cars MUST be used if running in
class E or F. So, if a Bear Cub is running in Classes C, E and F, then THREE different
cars must be built and registered.
2) All cars must be built using official BSA Pinewood Derby kits. Cars entered in
Classes A – E MUST be built NEW THIS YEAR. Class “F” cars may have been built
and raced in prior years.
3) A majority of the main body of the car will be of wood supplied in the Official Kit.
4) Use only official BSA wheels and axles from the kit. De-burring is permitted. No
wheel bearings, washers, springs or bushings are allowed. Don’t go ONLINE or to a
HOBBY STORE to buy a pine car kit. YOU MUST USE THE OFFICIAL CUB SCOUT
KIT.
5) DO NOT ALTER THE SHAPE OF THE WHEELS. Wheels may be lightly sanded and
polished to remove surface imperfections. However, wheel treatment (hub and tread
smoothing and polishing) may not result in substantial removal of mass, in reducing
the wheel width or diameter from the original kit wheels, or in reducing the tread track
contact (width but not shaved in width) from the original kit wheels. Wheel tread
surface must be cylindrical. The words "Official B.S.A. Made in U.S.A." and other BSA
lettering on the wheels shall remain intact and clearly visible to the inspector. Some of
the original "tread marks" on the wheel face must remain intact, i.e. apparent to the
inspector. (“Tread marks” are the small zig-zag lines visible at the very outer edges of
the wheel when it is viewed parallel to the axle line.) Wheels may not be machined to a
beveled condition and the portion of the wheel surface that contacts the track must
remain parallel to the axle. Wheels must run flat on the track surface. At least three
wheels must be in contact with the track surface at all times as he car rolls. At least
80% of the original wheel width must contact with the track surface, and the portion of
the wheel surface that contacts the track must remain parallel to the axle. The hub
through which the axle nail passes can not be shortened. The area between the hub
and contact surface of the wheel can not be drilled or otherwise opened. Cars still wet
with paint will not be allowed at weigh-in.
6) Cars built in previous years are ONLY allowed in Class F.
7) Dry lube (graphite, etc…) can be used on the wheels/axles. DO NOT USE OIL.
8) No loose materials of any kind will be permitted, Except in Class F.
9) The car must be freewheeling with no starting devices.
WEIGH IN
1) An entry fee of $10 PER CAR. All cars should be bought from a DEN. This fee will
help pay the cost of the cars, neckerchief, patch, rental of the race facility, and the fee
paid to the individual who is running the race.
2) Late entries will NOT be allowed without prior approval of the race committee.
Should you know that you cannot make weigh-in, please contact one of the members
of the race committee and we will make other arrangements for your car(s).
3) An official 5oz. weight will be used to calibrate the scale. The official scale will be
used by ALL cars, and the official scale will be the sole source for determining if the
car is within the 5 oz. weight limit.
4) Contestants will have the opportunity to adjust their car during the weigh-in
process. We plan to have some minimal equipment (knives, weights, glue guns)
available to help assist in this area.
5) After the car passes the weight and other dimension criteria, the car will be
IMPOUNDED. Once impounded, YOU WILL NOT HAVE ACCESS TO THE CAR
UNLESS IT BREAKS (ie: loses a wheel) DURING THE RACE. NO EXCEPTIONS!
6) Only those cars presented at weigh-in will be raced. No new cars allowed on Race
Day.
THE PRIMARY RACE
Just so everyone knows “how” this works, here are the general rules:
1) The track is electronically timed, and is connected to a PC.
2) Each car will be assigned a number. This number is simply used to track its
progress during the races. More than likely, the numbers will be given out sequentially
during the weigh-in on Friday night.
3) The cars are racing AGAINST THE CLOCK. So, in any given heat, you may see
cars from every Den. This is okay. The computer will keep track of the total time that
each boy’s car runs.
4) Each car will be given an opportunity to run in each of the lanes. This is done to
insure fairness and equity, just in case one of the lanes appears to be faster than the
others.
5) After every car has had the opportunity to run in every lane, the total time will be
added up for each car.
6) After each car’s total time is calculated, we will review the times BY Rank to
determine the Rank winner, runner up, and 3rd place, etc…
THE OPEN DIVISION RACE
After the primary races are complete, and while we are summarizing the results and
determining the Rank level winners, we will run the “OPEN DIVISION” race. The open
race is just that, “open” to anyone who wishes to race. This includes a second or third
car by the cubs, a Parent car, siblings, friends, etc… The rules for the OPEN division
are the same as classes A-D. They must meet the same weigh-in requirements as
regular cars. A cub MUST race in his regular class (A-D) to be allowed to race in the
OPEN division. If a cub chooses to race in the OPEN division, it MUST be with a car
that is different from the one he raced in his regular class. ALL CARS IN THE OPEN
DIVISION MUST BE NEWLY BUILT THIS YEAR.
UNLIMITED CLASS (Class F)
Following the Open Division Race, the Class F “Unlimited” Race will be held. The
Unlimited Class is similar to the Official and Open races, but with relaxed restrictions
on the car’s LENGTH and WEIGHT. This race is also open to Cubs, Parents, siblings,
etc… Cubs running in Class F must also race in their regular class (A-D). They do
not, however, have to run a car in the OPEN division to compete in the Unlimited
Class. The car in the unlimited class does, however, have to be a different car than
what was raced in their regular division.
UNLIMITED RULES
1) The car must be made from an authorized Pinewood Derby Kit, using all the parts in
their proper locations.
2) The car raced in this class may not be entered into any other race.
3) The car must fit on the track and run on the track without interfering with other
cars Therefore, the maximum height must remain at 3 inches, and the maximum width
must remain at 2 ¾ inches.
4) The car must not exceed 7 inches in length.
5) The car must not exceed 7 ounces in weight.
6) Cars can have loose components as long as they do not interfere with the other
racers and do not come off during the race.
7) Cars built for PREVIOUS Pinewood Derby Races ARE eligible in this Unlimited Class.
INSPECTIONS AND DISPUTES
Each car must pass inspection by the Race Officials. They reserve the right to
disqualify those cars that do not meet the rules. Car owners will be informed of the rule
violation and they will be given an opportunity to modify their car to make it legal. Only
for a rare exception will a car be allowed into the race if it is not impounded the night
before the race at the weigh-in. Pre-Cut Kit cars are NOT allowed to compete.
Remember, the main goal is for the Cub to experience the process of building the car
with MINIMAL help from anyone else. This is THEIR opportunity to shine. Don’t take
that opportunity away.
PERSONAL CONDUCT AND DISPUTES
Any Participant, including the parent, has the right to appeal to the race committee for
an interpretation of the rules. The race committee will be the final judge of the rules.
Ungentlemanly or un-sportsman like conduct by ANY participant or member of the
audience will be grounds for expulsion from the competition and/or race area.
Remember, this is a CUB SCOUT event, not the Indy 500. Have fun.
BREAKDOWNS
If a car loses a wheel during a race, the car owner will be allowed to perform a repair
under the supervision of a race official.