Dan Boone District Pinewood Derby Race Guide
Saturday, March 21, 2015
LaGrange Presbyterian Church
1901 Prestwick Dr, La Grange, KY 40031
For more information, please contact:
Joe Jackey, District Pinewood Derby Chair 502-845-9244 or
Alex Klausing, District Executive 502-368-8940
Table of Contents:
1. History of Pinewood Derby…………………………………………….Pg 3
2. The Why of the Pinewood Derby: What Scouting Goals Are Accomplished?...... Pg 3
3. The Pinewood Derby Competition versus Recognition………………Pg 4
4. The Official Pinewood Derby Rules…………………………………..Pg 5
5. Day of the Race: What to Expect……………………………...……...Pg 6
6. Day of the Race: Schedule……………………………………………...Pg 6
7. Registration form……………………………………………………….Pg 7
The Pinewood Derby and Its History in Cub Scouting
Like many popular Scouting programs, the Pinewood Derby began at one unit and spread nationwide like wildfire. The grassroots program—because of its very nature, its inherent merit, and the fact that it is just plain fun—went from one father’s idea at a California Cub Scout pack to sweeping the nation in the early 1950s.
Cubmaster Don Murphy of Pack 280C, Manhattan Beach, California, had a son who was unable to compete in a local gravity-powered car competition. Murphy came up with a way for his boy and his pack to make and race miniature gravity-powered cars on a small indoor track, and the Pinewood Derby was born. That first derby was held May 15, 1953. By 1955, the Pinewood Derby was part of the official Cub Scouting program and, while always optional, has become a key part of many Cub Scout packs’ annual programs.
Variations of the Pinewood Derby have been developed over the years, including the Raingutter Regatta and the Space Derby, both of which demonstrate the worth (and the fun) of the Pinewood Derby in a slightly different form. The basic elements of this course can be used in any of these variations.
The Why of the Pinewood Derby: What Scouting Goals Are Accomplished?
In general, the Scouting program tries to avoid events with a single winner or even class winners. The Cub Scout standard is, after all, that a boy should do his best. We do not, for example, tie advancement to whether a Cub Scout beats the other members of his den in a foot race, but rather to whether he betters his previous standards. The primary methods of the Cub Scouting program—including the goal of personal achievement—are based on individual achievement and accomplishment, rather than individual victory at the expense of another’s defeat.
The goals of Cub Scouting are not often extended to include competition or competitive sports, though the goals of character development, sportsmanship and fitness, and respectful relationships can easily be seen to give a special perspective on our very competitive world.
While, in some ways the Pinewood Derby is a special case (principally because it is so much fun), we can use the Pinewood Derby to further the goals of Cub Scouting. We can broaden the derby’s simple one-winner perspective to a program all participants can feel good about. At the same time, we need to be alert to the possibility of problems that can spoil the boys’ fun and discourage Cub Scouts and parents. Sometimes these problems have actually caused youth to drop out of Cub Scouting.
- Sportsmanship and good citizenship is taught by following the derby rules and cheering on friends and den partners as they race against others in the pack.
- Personal achievement comes to any boy who picks up a woodworking tool and shapes raw wood into a sleek design. And, by learning woodworking, he prepares himself to more easily serve in the Boy Scouting's service projects.
- Family understanding is enhanced because building a Pinewood Derby car puts the boy and his mom, dad, or other adult partner into a close and sometimes intense learning experience over, potentially, many hours.
It is very clear that any boy who can cheer on a friend in a derby race, when his own car has been previously eliminated, must be said to have had his character developed, if not his car-building skills. But finally, and probably most convincingly, participating in the derby is fun. This is especially true if participation is stressed, and personal achievement is very broadly defined and rewarded.
The Pinewood Derby Competition versus Recognition
A key element of Cub Scouting is recognition of personal achievement rather than simple victory. We do this by providing a way of recognizing the achievement of each boy rather than simply celebrating the car that was fastest down the track.
Every boy will receive a recognition for participation and the top 3 winners in each rank- Tiger, Wolf, Bear and Webelos- will receive a trophy. The top 3 racers in each rank will also race against each other to determine the overall winner. The important thing is to promote the goals of Cub Scouting: character development, spiritual growth, good citizenship, sportsmanship and fitness, family understanding, respect for relationships, personal achievement, friendly service, fun and adventure, and preparation for Boy Scouts.
2015 PINEWOOD DERBY RULES RACING QUALIFICATIONS:
The following rules apply to the Cub Scout and Sibling racing categories
1. Cars must be built with the materials furnished with the Pinewood Derby Car Kit #17006, #17000 or the Wedge #614417(with wheels see #7).
2. Width - Overall car width including wheels and axles shall not exceed 2 and ¾ inches.
3. Length - Overall car length shall not exceed 7 inches.
4. Weight - The complete car shall not exceed 5 ounces. The car may be hollowed out and built up to a maximum weight by the addition of solid material provided it is securely built into or attached to the car. Loose or liquid materials are not allowed.
5. Shape - The car may be of any style, but no part of the car may extend beyond the front bumper which rests against the starting pin. "U" and "V" shaped front ends are not allowed. The most forward part of the car must be less than 5/8 inches.
6. Axles - Only the nails furnished with Kit #17006, #17000 or the wheel accessory kits see #7) are allowed. They must be installed parallel to the bottom of the car as to run parallel with the track.
7. Wheels - Only the wheels furnished with the Kit #17006, #17000 or #614417 OR ACCESSORY KIT #17553-#17557 may be used.
a. The tread area may not be rounded, grooved, or shaped to a point. Any other tampering with the wheels will disqualify the vehicle; this includes drilling holes, slots, or lathe turning.
b. Sanding or other modifications in any way to the wheels is not allowed.
c. No wheel bearing, bushing, or washers are allowed. The wheels must spin on the authorized axle.
d. If using hubcaps, one each on the front and back axle must be removable for inspection.
8. Lubrication - Any type of lubrication is permitted on axles, but must be applied prior to weigh-in. CAUTION: Some liquid lubricants have melted the plastic wheels. Powder graphite is the most commonly used lubricant.
9. The car shall not ride on any type of spring or have any starting devices. The car must be freewheeling.
10. Details added to the car such as steering wheel, driver, decals, etc. are permissible as long as they are securely fastened to the car and do not exceed the car's size limit.
11. Magnets - No magnetic material may be used on the car.
12. Once the car is weighed in and accepted for competition, it will be placed in the custody of racing officials and will not be taken out until the car is scheduled to run.
13. Cars will not be touched during the race except by the Scout to whom they belong and only after obtaining permission from an official.
14. The car may not be designed in any way which would give an unfair advantage at the starting gate.
The following rules apply to the ADULT racing category ONLY:
1. The car must be designed in a fashion that it will fit on a standard Pinewood Derby track.
2. The car must remain a gravity propelled vehicle. The use of ignitions or propellants is prohibited.
3. The weight and shape of your car may be altered, but may not cause interference with other cars on the track. For dimension guidelines, refer to the Cub Scout and Sibling rules.
4. One trophy will be awarded to the overall champion in the category.
5. Adults participating in the race must pay the entry fee.
6. The judges assigned to judge the race will have final say regarding a cars eligibility to enter the race and the race results.
Day of the Race: What to Expect:
At our Dan Boone District Pinewood Derby Race on March 22: If you have pre-registered you will be able to check in and get in the car inspection line. If you are walking in that day, you will need to pay at the door and then get into the car inspection line. Racing includes Cub Scout, Siblings, and Adult races. Cub Scout racing is open to any Cub Scout (not just top three that placed in their pack). Siblings will be held to the same rules as the Cub Scouts. The adult category will be an open race. Please see the rules section for adult racing for more details.
To ensure a fair race, all cars will be inspected by a team of volunteers and weighed to confirm all cars meet the “Official Rules” (see pg 6). If there is any question regarding if the Scouts car meets the “Official Rules”, you will be asked to make modifications to your car before the race begins and will need to repeat the inspection process. All decisions made by the volunteer inspection team are final. If the Scout decides not to modify the car then the car won’t race on race day.
Every boy will receive a recognition for participation and the top three winners in each rank- Tiger, Wolf, Bear and Webelos- will receive a trophy. The top three racers in each rank will also race against each other to determine the overall winner and the top three will all receive a trophy.
NOTE: Along with “racing” awards, additional awards will be presented to scouts whose car design is chosen as the “Most Original”, “Most Humorous”, “Most Creative”, “Best Use of Imagination”, and “Most Patriotic” and “Scouter’s Choice.”
Race Day Schedule:
9:00 AM – 9:45 AM Registration opens for all Cub Scouts.
9:45 AM- Race day opening ceremony
10:00 AM – Cub Scout races
12:00 PM – (Estimated time; may vary depending on the number of racers) Cub Scout championship racing
12:30 PM – (Estimated time; may vary depending on the number of racers) Open races: race for adults and siblings
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Dan Boone District Pinewood Derby Registration Form
Saturday March 22, 2014 ∙ Settle Gym ∙ 1155 West Main Street ∙ Shelbyville, KY 40065
Cub Scout Name(s) & Rank(s) [Tiger-T] [Wolf-W] [Bear-B] [Webelos-WB]1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
Sibling/ Adult Racer(s) Name(s)
[Sibling-S] [Adult-A]
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
This event is open to all Cub Scouts, Siblings who are Cub Scout age, and Adults. You do NOT have to win your Pack’s race to be eligible for the district races. Check-in will be from 8:30am-9:45am.
COST: Pre-registration $5.00 per Youth /$5.00 per Adult
Walk-in registration $7.00 per Youth /$7.00 per Adult
PACK #:______DISTRICT: ______
UNIT LEADER NAME: ______
MAILING ADDRESS: ______
CITY: ______STATE:______ZIP: ______
PHONE: ______
EMAIL: ______
TOTAL YOUTH ($00.00): ______
TOTAL ADULTS ($00.00): ______
METHOD OF PAYMENT: ______
(Credit Card, Check, Cash)
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