BE PREPARED:
Bring any extra parts or tools (superglue, sandpaper, a drill, extra screws for your weights, extra weights, a small screwdriver; we will have some things available for use if needed) with you on race day so that you can be prepared for any repairs/modifications needed. You never know when your car may be the one dropped by your Scout as they show off their handiwork.
Transport your car in a shoebox. Dropped cars are unfortunately a too common experience, resulting in broken wheels/axels.
Add LOTS of graphite right before check in.
INSPECTION:
Race day check-in will begin at 11:00am. Races will begin promptly at 12:00 noon. Cars not checked in by noon may not be able to race.
The Inspection Committee shall be the final say in the inspection of the Pinewood Derby rules. If a car does not pass inspection, the owner will be informed of the reason his car did not pass (too long, too heavy, altered wheel base, or the like). Cars which fail the initial inspection will have one opportunity to be modified for final inspection and registration. A fifteen minute grace period will be allotted for cars not passing inspection.
No cars may be altered in any way after it has been inspected/registered. Damage repair shall be allowed during the Derby only if it does not delay the race, but no modifications shall be allowed.
RACING STRUCTURE:
Each car will race at minimum of 3 times, one on each lane of the track.
The top 6 cars with the fastest average time will compete in a final set of races for the top 3 spots.
The top 3 fastest cars will compete at the District level race in April.
Ungentlemanly or unsportsmanlike conduct by any participant or spectator will be grounds for expulsion from the competition and/or the race area.
Note: The Race Starter will place the car on the track according to axle location. The back axel is nearest to the end of the car. The front axel is furthest away from the end of the car. This determines the direction the car will race unless it is obvious which end is the front or the Scout clearly marks "Front" on the car.
RACE RULES:
The most important values in Pinewood Derby competition are parent/Scout participation, good sportsmanship and learning how to follow rules. Everyone is responsible for recognizing and encouraging these qualities in addition to traditional racing awards.
Only race officials are allowed in the track area. This rule will be strictly enforced. Please help to keep the Scouts outside the track area.
If a car becomes damaged and can be repaired in a reasonable amount of time (a few minutes), the race will be run again. If not, the damaged car will automatically lose that race.
If a car jumps the track, the race will be run again. If the same car jumps the track a second time, that car will automatically lose that race.
If a car leaves its lane and interferes with another car, the race will be run again. If the same car leaves its lane a second time and interferes with another car, the interfering car will automatically lose that race.
SPORTSMANSHIP:
The first thing to remember about sportsmanship is that everyone's skills are a little different. You may be good at something like singing or drawing, but not as good at something else like basketball or computers. Parents have different skill levels, too. This doesn't mean that you are a good person one time and not good another time. You can always be a good person, whether or not you have good car-building skills. Remember, you and your friends are individuals first and racers second. This idea is often called having respect for others.
The second thing to remember is to follow the rules. Without rules, there would be no Pinewood Derby. You will never know if you are really good at doing something unless you follow the rules. This is often called being honest.
The third thing to remember about good sportsmanship is that there are winners and losers in every competition. You accept this when you choose to compete. There may be times when you win and feel happy, and times when you lose and feel unhappy. Being a winner is easy, and losing is sometimes hard. If you win, you must not brag or gloat. If you lose, you must not feel jealous or bitter.
To be a good sportsman, you must be able to say "I did my best" and be satisfied with the results. You must also be able to appreciate and feel happy for someone else when they run a good race or build a neat car.
While everyone will be trying to win, it's always a good idea to start out by remembering the Cub Scout Motto, "Do Your Best," and some of the basic ideas behind good sportsmanship. Two things the Pinewood Derby requires each participant to learn are 1) the craft skills necessary to build a car, and 2) the rules that must be followed. Even more important, though, is how we act and behave while participating in the Pinewood Derby or any other group activity. This is called sportsmanship.
The Pinewood Derby is a parent-Scout project. Please feel free to give guidance and minimal assistance to your Scout as he builds his Pinewood Derby car. This is a chance for your Scout to be part of a team (them and you), and to enjoy the spirit of friendly competition with his peers. Also, for your Scout to enjoy the satisfaction of building his own car from the kit provided.
AWARDS:
Every Scout will receive an official Pinewood Derby patch and certificate of participation.
Trophies will be awarded to the top 3 overall fastest cars and the top racer in each den.
Awards will also be given to the following categories as voted on by the Scouts and their families:
Most Colorful
Most Scout Spirit
Fastest Looking
Best Paint Job
Most Creative
Fan Favorite
Funniest
Craziest
Scariest
Most Realistic
Best Craftsmanship
Best Fuel Economy