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Pinewood Derby 2007
Official Rules


SCOUT & LEADER DIVISION CAR SPECIFICATIONS

1. Width: The overall width of the car shall not exceed 2-3/4 inches.



2. Length: The overall length of the car shall not exceed 7 inches.



3. Shape: Underbody clearance (between the bottom of the car and the track) shall not be less than 3/8 inch.



4. Weight: The weight of the car shall not exceed 5 ounces. The car may be hollowed out and built up to the maximum weight by the addition of heavier materials provided the additional materials are securely attached to the car. If weights become detached from the car during competition, they will not be reattached.



5. The car should not be “curved up” or “pointy nosed” in front. They will not sit in the starting gate properly and do not start correctly.



6. Cars should have a distinct front end. If the front cannot be distinguished from the rear, then it is up to the discretion of the Race Official as to how it put onto the track.



7. Wheel bearings, washers, and bushings are prohibited.



8. The car shall not ride on any type of springs.



9. The car must be freewheeling, with no starting devices or stored energy devices.



10. Axles, wheels, and body wood shall be as provided in the official kit. Either end of the wood can be used as the front. NO substitutions are allowed.



11. Wheels can be sanded, smoothed and polished to remove surface imperfections, but the flat tread surfaces must be left original width, they cannot be “reshaped”. Beveling, tapering, thin sanding, pointing or cutting groves in the wheels is prohibited.

FAMILY DIVISION CAR SPECIFICATIONS

1. All rules from the above Scout Division apply with the exception of weight.



2. Weight: The weight of the car shall not exceed 7 ounces. The car may be hollowed out and built up to the maximum weight by the addition of heavier materials provided the additional materials are securely attached to the car. If weights become detached from the car during competition, they will not be reattached.

RACE RULES – FOR ALL CARS

1. This is a fun race. It is meant to provide the Cubs a chance to race a car they have built, and to learn good sportsmanship and respect.



2. Attempts to circumvent the rules to gain an advantage while racing are not acceptable.



3. All cars must pass inspection to qualify for the race. Disqualification to those cars that do not meet these specifications.
   
   The inspection points are as follows:


• Cars must have been made during the current Cub Scout year (no carry-over cars from previous years).



• Cars must meet all specifications as written above in RACE CAR SPECIFICATIONS.



4. Competition will be held by Pack in a random run off with winners in top three of each rank, pack overall, top three family division, top three leaders and fastest race time.



5. At check-in, each car will be assigned a number. This number will be used to track the car during competition. The number will be attached to the top of the car with stick on label.



6. Computer software will keep track of which cars race in each heat. Cars will race in each lane of the track.



7. The software will also keep track the cars race times. Just because a car doesn’t win a heat DOES NOT mean it will not will in its ranked division.



8. If a car leaves the track or runs out of its lane:



• If a car interferes with the race time of another car, the heat will be re-raced immediately with the offending car and the car(s) affected in their same lanes. All cars not affected in original race will not rerun.



• If a car does not interfere with the timing of other cars, the car will be rescheduled to race in the same lane but in its own heat.


9. If the same offending car gets into trouble on its rerun, the car will NOT have another chance the rerun. The car’s standing time will remain.



10. NO repairs will be allowed during competition. Even if weight falls off, it will not be added back on.



11. Winners are determined by cumulative time in all four lanes as tracked by the computer. Times are set to .001 of a second.



12. All Winning cars will have the option of racing in the District Race.



13. Winning car owners will be responsible for keeping their cars in “racing condition” until the Jamboree District race (date is TBD). It is assumed that NO modifications are made to the cars between our race and the District race (other than lubrication).

Remember the rules, follow them, and may the best Scout win!


Pinewood Derby Race  •  Check-In Procedure  •  Photos of Pinewood Derby 2006