Pinewood Derby

 

PINEWOOD DERBY

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/805084AAFAD2AA02-pinewood2

Race Day – Saturday, March 21, 2020

Pack 446’s Pinewood Derby day is coming soon.  Below is the information Scouts and families need to know about the event.

Dates and Locations

Test Track Nights – Scouts can run their car on the Pack’s test track to make sure it is rolling straight and is able to complete the race course. 

  • Wednesday, March 18 and Thursday, March 19
  • Silvercrest Elementary, Gymnasium
  • 7:00pm to 8:00pm each night.

Check-In & Inspection – It is required that all cars be checked-in, inspected for rule compliance, and kept overnight on this date.  If you can’t make it, please make arrangements for someone else to bring your car.

  • Friday, March 20
  • Epiphany Lutheran Church (gymnasium), 5515 Broadway St, Pearland, TX 77581
  • 6:00pm to 7.30pm

Race Day Schedule

  • Saturday, March 21
  • Epiphany Lutheran Church (gymnasium), 5515 Broadway St, Pearland, TX 77581
  • 8:00am to Noon – Races for each rank will be run throughout the day according to the schedule below:
    • 8:00 to 8:30 Webelos
    • 8:30 to 9:00 Wolves
    • 9:00 to 9:30 Bears
    • 9:30 to 9:45 Siblings & Parents        
    • 9:45 to 10:15 Tigers
    • 10:15 to 10:30 Lions
    • 10:30 to 11:00 Grand Finals
  • Please Note: Cars will be run during these times by rank regardless if the Scout is in attendance, or not. Because of the race software being used, cars are entered into the system in advance and schedules can’t be altered the day of the race.

Check-In Process and Rules

Check 1 – Car Weight – Must be 5.00 oz (141.748 grams) or less.

Check 2 – Car Dimensions – Width must be 2.75″ or less.

Check 3 – Starting Pin Compliance – Cars are lined up on the track for the race on pins that touch the middle of the front of each car.  No part of a car can extend beyond or around the starting pin.

Check 4 – Track Clearance – The cars will race on a track that has sides and a center guide.  As a result, cars must have a minimum width between wheels of 1.75″ and be able to clear the 3/8″ track guide.

Track Specs:  http://www.besttrack.com/track_specs.html

Check 5 – Wheels and Axles – Cars will be checked for the following:

  • All 4 wheels roll flat
  • No wheel modifications
  • No angled or bent axles
  • No extended wheelbase (distance between the front and rear wheels must be the same as when it came out of the box)
  • For the complete set of rules, please see this link.

Check 6 – Lubrication Check – Only dry graphite lubricant is allowed.  Also, check that there isn’t too much lubricant either making the car difficult to handle or causing excess to fall onto the track.

Check 7 – Loose Parts and Wet Paint Check – All parts must be dry and secure.

Check 8 – Car Number – Ensure that the correct number is on the car that corresponds to the correct Scout.  Number stickers are included in the box, but blank stickers will be available at check-in.

Please see this link for the list of Scouts and their car number.

Check 9 – Car Name – Each car needs a name that will be entered into the computer and displayed during the race.

Check 10 Check-In and Photo – Car is collected and will stay with the Pack until after race day.  The Pack will also photograph each car.

Rules – Rules are located here for download.  Please email secretary@pack446.com with any questions regarding the rules.

MOST IMPORTANT – HAVE FUN – As you work on your cars, please remember – the race is for the scouts! Let them make it their own by contributing to all aspects of creating a car that they can safely perform. Parents and siblings are encouraged to present their unique creations in the Parents / Siblings race. Additional cars are available from the Pack or from Local Scout Shops for $5. If you have any questions after reading below or if you need any recommendations, please email secretary@pack446.com

Race Day Process and Other Activities

  • Each Scout car will race once in each lane – 6 times total
  • Average time across all 6 lanes will determine the top three fastest cars.
  • Awards for fastest cars per rank will be awarded at the end of each rank race.
  • Fastest cars from each rank will compete against each other at the Grand Finale to determine the top three fastest cars overall.
  • Awards for the fastest overall cars will be awarded at the end of the Grand Finale.

Please Note – Black Light Cars – Scouts have the option use neon/glow paint, decals, and neon wheels to make their car glow in the dark! Some available part numbers from scoutshop.org or an area scout shop can be found in this link https://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/2018/12/17/next-big-thing-in-pinewood-derby-racing-black-lights-and-glow-in-the-dark-cars/

 

Loop / Stunt Track– Race Day

There will be two other tracks available for Scouts during race day.

Demolition Derby Track – Scouts and all others can do head-to-head demolition crash “races” on the Pack’s demolition track. MAXIMUM DESTRUCTION! These cars WILL get damaged, so it’s encouraged to bring a second or older car if participating.

Loopy Loop Track – The name says it all!

Awards

  • Fastest Cars in each Rank
  • Fastest Cars in Pack
  • Fastest Parents / Siblings
  • Fastest Block Cars (cars that obtain original shape with items / paint added)
  • Fastest Extended Wheelbase Car (cars that did not comply to wheelbase rules)
  • Appearance Awards
  • Best Race Car
  • Best Movie Theme Car
  • Best Video Game Car
  • Best Wedge
  • Best Block
  • Best Cartoon Character
  • Best Super Hero
  • Best Scout Theme
  • Best Sports Theme
  • Best Use of Toys
  • Best Scout Built
  • Best Scout Decorated Car
  • Cubmaster & Committee Favorites
  • ** More may be added based on Scout Submissions – BE CREATIVE !!!!

Tips and Suggestions

The following are some tips of advice we’ve used in the past. They are good to review.

Rules – Please take note of the Pack Rules. You must use the wheels and axles that are supplied with the “official” BSA kit. The “Pinecar” kits sold at Craft Stores (such as Michael’s and Hobby Lobby) have a solid axle (axle fits across the entire groove cut in the block of wood) – you will not be able to race against the other cars if your car has a solid axle. In our past experience, the solid axle rule has resulted in some disappointed boys. Please don’t make this mistake. Use only the wheels and axles supplied with the official BSA kit.  Official BSA Kits have been distributed to the dens – extras can be purchased from any of the areas scout shops.  The area scout shops also sell different colored wheels if Yellow, Blue, Red, Orange wheels match the overall theme of the car.

Importance of Weight – The car should weigh as close as possible to five (5) ounces without going over.  The scale will measure to 2 decimal places (e.g. 4.99), so please plan accordingly.  A weight of 5.01 will be considered too heavy.  If your car is light it is nearly certain that it will not be competitive. Hobby stores and the scout shop sell kits for adding weight to the cars. Michael’s and Hobby Lobby both have the adhesive-backed weights. You can also improvise using washers, fishing weights, Lego mini-figures, plastic army men, etc.  For the Adult/Sibling class – those cars can weigh (8) ounces, without going over.

Wheels and Axles – It is important that you do some work on the axles of your car for optimal performance. The axles contain a “burr” just under the nail head that must be removed. The easiest way to do this is to insert the axle into the chuck of an electric drill and spin it. With a small file, gently remove the burr under the nail head. There are also some raised ridges along the shaft of the axle that should be removed.  One suggestion is to sand the axle while in a spinning the drill with a strip of 400 grit wet-dry sandpaper.