Pinewood Derby
Each scout will get the opportunity to create and design their own Pinewood Derby car with their parent/guardian. The Pinewood Derby is always hosted at the Cambria Fire Hall, and we invite all family and friends to come and attend this wonderful event for our scouts. Their will be refreshments, snacks, and pizza for sale for a minimal cost that goes towards the Cambria Pack 8 fund. So please invite everyone to see your scouts car race!
What is the Pinewood Derby?
At Cambria Pack 8 Pinewood Derby, we have Four Trophies: 1st Place2nd Place3rd PlaceMost Creative CarTo win the most creative car, the scouts will all vote on the car they liked best just by the looks! So get your creative juices flowing when it comes to helping your scout with designing their Pinewood Derby car!If your Scout places in the top 6, they may have their car be sent to the District Pinewood Derby that is always held locally. Awards
Recommended Video to watch when building the Pinewood Derby Car
The Science of making a Pinewood Derby Car
Cambria Pack 8 Rules & Regulations
The competition is open to all Cub Scouts in Pack 8. You must be present to race. The scout is responsible for the construction of his car under the supervision of an adult. The car must be constructed within the present scouting year. Remember to DO YOUR BEST when constructing your car. All scouts are expected to show good sportsmanship during the event.
Length:
Maximum length (including wheels) shall not exceed 7 1/8 inches. Nothing shall protrude outward off the front bumper. Indented noses are prohibited. Center “front bumper” must be the furthest point from the front axle, which must fall within the maximum length.
Width:
The maximum over width, including wheels and axles, shall not exceed 2 3/4 inches. The minimum width between wheels must be 1 3/4 inches so the car will fit onto the track.
Clearance:
The minimum clearance between the bottom of the car and the ground surface MUST be 3/8 inches, otherwise the car will NOT clear the guide strip. DO NOT add weights to the underside of a car unless it is recessed and flush with the body.
Height:
The maximum height shall not exceed 2 3/4 inches.
Axles:
Only official Cub Scout Grand Prix Pinewood Derby axles are permitted. They may be lightly sanded, filed and/or polished. No beveling, rounding, tampering, thinning, perforating, or any other significant altering of the shape or performance of the axle or axle head is permitted.
Wheels:
Only official Cub Scout Grand Prix Pinewood Derby wheels are permitted. Modified or special wheels are prohibited. Lightly sanding and polishing is the only wheel modifications allowed. NO beveling, rounding, tapering, thinning, perforating or any other significant altering of the shape or performance of the wheel or wheel hub is permitted. Wheel bearings, washers, or bushings are prohibited. This includes “wheel covers”, “hub caps”, or anything else that would serve as a lubricant “well” or “tap”. The car shall not ride on any type of springs. These cars should only be powered by gravity.
Weight:
The car must be 5.000 ounces or less on the “official” scale being used. Weights can be internal or external, but must not alter the car specifications, as described in these rules.
Appearance:
The cars can (and should) be carved, sculpted, and sanded to enhance appearance and/or performance as long as they stay within specs. Paint, decals, and decorations may be applied. Wood putty is permitted to repair/fill any area of the car. Glue is permitted. Screws, bolts, washers or other metal may be added for weight, but must be flush with the body if used on the underside, but are prohibited in the wheel and axle areas. Anything loose that could dislodge during a race will need to be removed.
Lubrication:
Only dry powdered graphite if permitted. Oils, silicone sprays, and white powder are prohibited. Lubrication will take place ONCE on race day, before the race begins. This must be done in the designated areas.
Misc:
No starting devices, propulsion, adhesives, magnets, rubber bands, motors, jets, etc. are permitted. Metal frames and axle supports are also prohibited.
Specifications for Car Construction:
1. A pre-race inspection will be conducted to determine if cars meet the necessary qualifications. This is MANDATORY if your scout is racing.
2. Cars will be checked for conformance to the Pinewood Derby Rules, above.
3. The decision of the pre-race judge is final. Cars meeting the requirements will be certified.
4. If at registration a car does not pass inspection, the scout and his parents(s) will be informed of the reason for failure, and will be given until an hour prior to the race to make adjustments.
5. Once the car is certified as meeting all requirements, a number will be attached.
6. After the number has been attached, the car will be impounded until the start of the race.
7. On race day, once the car is placed on the official derby table, the only people to touch the cars will be the scout and/or the race officials.
Pre- Race Inspection Details
1. The cub scout must be pre-registered and present to race.
2. Cars will be called by number to race.
3. The scouts will get their cars when their number is called and give it to the race starter to be placed on the track. The scouts will not place cars on the track. NO ONE ELSE may touch the car.
4. Each scout will have at least 4 races, so they will have a chance to race on each lane.
5. The starter will place all cars on the track and give the starter the signal that the race is ready to proceed.
6. The races will be timed. The scouts are running against the clock, not each other. They will have a specified number of heats depending on the number of participants. The times for all heats raced by a scout will be added together for a total combined time. The lowest score will be first place, second lowest is second place, and the third lowest score will be third place. Each scout will receive a participation certificate and patch.
7. Cars are propelled by gravity only. Please review the rules for specifics.
8. If a car must be repaired, the cub scout should immediately request time for repairs. A maximum of 5 minutes will be allowed to repair the car. The scout and one parent are the only persons allowed to work on the car. Repairs may be done only in the area designated by race officials. Once the car has been repaired, the scout should immediately notify the race official in charge and the repaired car will then be rechecked to be sure it still meets requirements. The boy will then be allowed to re-race the repaired car in the lane where the damage occurred.
9. The results as determined by the race officials are final. Please remember this is for fun and we must show good sportsmanship at all times. NO arguing with race officials, foul language, poor sportsmanship, and unruly behavior will be permitted. Any scout or member of the audience engaging in such conduct will be asked to leave.
10. In case of a tie, a tie-breaking “Race-Off” will take place (Lanes will be drawn at random.)
11. If a car jumps the track and leaves its lane and does not interfere with any other car, that car will be placed in last for the heat. If the car jumps the track, leaves its lane, and interferes with any other car, that heat will be re-run. If that same car jumps the track and leaves it's lane a second time, that heat will be re-run without that car. If a car continues to interfere (more than 3 times) it will be disqualified.
12. All children should be supervised. There is no running allowed in the Fire Hall. Small children should be escorted to the bathrooms. Any children showing inappropriate behavior will be asked to stay with their parents and considered warned. A second incident will result in the parent and child being asked to leave the event.
Pinewood Derby Race Procedures
This is an official Cub Scout Event. All participating scouts must be in their Class A uniform to race. Each scout will be handling their own cars. When their car is called to race, the scouts will enter the Pit area and take their car to the track to be run. A race official will place the cars on the track and then the scout will stand to the side and watch the results. It’s the scout’s responsibility to ensure the race official places his car on the track facing the correct direction. NO PARENTS/GUARDIANS are allowed in the Pit area. This area is for the Cub Scouts who are racing ONLY, and the Leaders that are helping to run it. If a scout drops or damages his/her car, s/he will be given the necessary time to fix his car as outlined in the rules above.
Again, this is a Cub Scout event. Please help keep this a fun event for all. Do not put too much emphasis on the race results. Encourage good sportsmanship, fair play, and racing for fun. Please show some Cub Scout spirit and cheer for everyone. Remember this is not a competition for the parents.