Pinewood Derby

THE PINEWOOD DERBY

January 2017 – Pope Benedict Hall (back of O’Brien Hall)

Weigh In and Inspection

To prevent delays and/or disqualification on Saturday…Please check your car in on Friday evening during this time.  It takes a bunch of time to get the software ready for the race…and all of the kids/cars entered into that software….which is one of the other main reasons we need everyone to check in on Friday.

– RACE DAY! – Pope Benedict Hall (back of O’Brien Hall)

RULES – <Click Here>

Preliminary weigh-ins will be on Friday behind O’Brien Hall, Old St Benedict’s Church. If there is a problem with a Scout’s car we would like to identify it then, so it may be corrected before Saturday’s Race.  If some reason you cannot be at the preliminary weigh-in, it is ok to send the car with someone else to be sure it is ok.  Checking in on Friday will allow for a much more smooth/organized race on Saturday morning. We will be on a tight time schedule on Saturday so please be considerate if we experience a problem or delay.  OUR GOAL IS EVERY SCOUT IS ABLE TO RACE LEGALLY.  Parents will be on hand Friday evening to assist with repairs if needed.  We will have some extra parts and tools on hand also.  We will have a scale on hand to make those final weight adjustments. The cars will go home on Friday night and be returned on Saturday morning with the Scouts.  Please take extra care.

Race Day will be Saturday.  This is the time schedule we require everyone to follow.  We typically stagger the registration times so we do not have all the Scouts attempting to get the cars checked in at the same time.  Please do your best to stick to the schedule.  There is a 13 point inspection checklist that must be completed on each car.

Order of events:

1.     Pack Meeting – Racing will begin right after we have a quick pack meeting.

2.     Scout Voting – There will be awards for the following categories, which are voted on by the Scouts:

a.     Best Paint Job

b.     Most Patriotic

c.     Best Cub Scout theme

d.     Coolest Car

e.     Most Unique Car

3.     The Pinewood Derby Race – We will follow District rules.  The top three cars and one alternate from each Scout rank (multiple dens of the same rank are not allowed) will be eligible to register for the District Grand Prix Pinewood Derby. In the event one of the top 3 finalist (from a given Scout rank) is unable to race the alternate may be substituted. In any case, only 3 cars from each Scout rank per Pack will be admitted to race (a maximum of 15 cars per Pack).   The District Grand Prix Pinewood Derby is TBD.   We will use the same format as previous years, which takes a little longer since it is more races.  We are hoping for 100% Scout participation please, this is a TON of fun.  Trophies will be presented for First, Second, and Third place per DEN. There will also be a large Pack trophy awarded for First, Second, and Third place overall.   Trophies will also be provided for the Scout voting categories. If a part is missing or damaged from your car kit please contact me.  Winners from First, Second, and Third place at each DEN will need to stay until the end for the Pack Race.  Please encourage the Scouts to stay for they entire event regardless of where they finish to cheer on their fellow Scouts.

A FEW POINTERS

 2015 Mingo Trails District Rules that must be followed (I do not believe there were changes to the rules from 2015, but will let everyone know if so).  Do not use any other set of rules. These are the official rules.  Also, a sensitive area every year is rule # 4 is light sanding only on the wheel to remove the excess casting material.  Be careful; do not alter the shape or dimension of the wheels.  Do not sand on the edges of the wheel or remove the tread marks.  You must use only BSA wheels and axles.  Do not modify them.  All cars will be inspected prior to racing.  Once the car passes inspection it will be taken from the Scout until it is his turn to race.  Only the Scout and The Race Starter will be allowed to handle the car after inspection.  NO GRAPHITE IS PERMITTED IN THE BUILDING.  This is a safety rule.  Please insure cars are properly lubricated before you enter the building.  Only powdered lubricants are permitted.  No liquid lubricants, grease, or silicone is permitted.  Cars may not exceed 5 ounces.  Cars cannot exceed regulation height, length, and width.  Any car that is not compliant to the rules and specifications is unable to race. The Derby will wrap-up sometime after lunch depending on our efficiency and will take about an hour to tear down and clean up.  We will take all the help we can get.

HELP

Some parents have already volunteered to help Friday and Saturday.  We will accept all the help we can get as this is truly a team effort.  We will need inspectors, starters, score keepers, judges, pit crew, and an official photographer to capture the excitement.  We will also need help with set-up and tear-down.  Please email me with your desired area if you are able to help.

OUR GOALS

100% participation

Every Scout is able to race

Every Scout has fun