Saturday, April 13, 2024 - . location TBA, race often starts between 8-9:30am. Details to follow
PINEWOOD DERBY RULES AND GUIDELINES: Click Here
INSPECTION CHECKLIST: Click Here
Pinewood Derby Kits are available at the scout office. Beware of parts at Hobby Lobby and Michaels! There are a lot of great accessories, however, the wheels must be BSA approved with logos, and it is best to by the basic car kit at the scout office...then you can jazz it up with the other stuff from the other stores. BE CAREFUL about placing weights under the car unless you have removed wood to "embed" the weights. Otherwise, the bottom of the car can drag on the track. When in doubt...place the weights on top of the car. We have a postal scale at my house that we can lend out for den meetings! You can also order a kit online here.
HELPFUL WEBSITES FOR PINEWOOD DERBY: (and YES, you can race the block of wood without carving anything! And yes, you can buy a pre-carved wood car from Hobby Lobby, as long as it has BSA wheels. Buy the official car kit first, and fit the wheels on the pre-carved wood)
www.turboderby.com/ebook
http://pinewoodderby.org/
Free Pinewood Derby eBook | Turbo Derby
https://boyslife.org/hobbies-projects/projects/2952/speed-secrets/
https://www.pinewoodpro.com/pinewood-derby-beginners.php
http://www.boyscouttrail.com/library/pinewood-derby.asp
Top 5 Speed Tips for Your Pinewood Derby Car (pinewoodderbycars.com)
http://stanpope.net/pwportal.html for the serious racer!
Living the Scout Life - 10 Tips and Tricks to a Fast and Cool-Looking Pinewood Derby Car (scoutshop.org)
THIS INFORMATION BELOW IS NOT REGARDING THE 2024 RACE:
Set Up Crew (minimum 6 adults) OUR BIGGEST NEED IS SOMEONE TO HELP WITH THE RACE SOFTWARE! I will be happy to get it to you in order for you to "play" with it prior to race day. This is a big deal to make for a smooth day! It is the key to a successful race.
Sets up track, tables, chairs. We need a master of ceremonies for the microphone and need several to meet THE NIGHT BEFORE to assemble the track.
Registration Table (2 to 3 adults to stay the duration) Adults will inspect the car based on rules and assign a check-in number for each car. Sticker numbers will be placed on the cars. The numbers will be entered into the race software and used to identify the cars on the holding table. Inspection sheet checklists will be provided at this table. Only scouts are allowed to touch their car after check-in.
Clean Up Crew (minimum 4-6 adults and need scouts)
Disassemble and store track. Put away tables, chairs, and supplies. At least one person on the clean up crew should have experience setting up taking down the track.
Awards (2 adults per den) Provided - awards, certificates and ribbons. We need volunteers to collect/count votes and assign the creative awards during the race (I will have the list, but some examples are: fastest looking car, best paint design, most unique, best craftsmanship, people’s choice awards, least amount of wood car.)
Activity Center (2 adults) There is a lot of down time at a race and we do not want the scouts to get restless! Bring anything you wish to occupy the scouts!
HAVE FUN! I know some of these rules seem strict, however, if your scout goes on to compete in the district or council race, we want you prepared for everything required and to simulate the rules! If you think there was an error in the race calculations, please kindly tell the controllers immediately. Occasionally the timers are not aligned properly.
Set Up Crew (minimum 6 adults) OUR BIGGEST NEED IS SOMEONE TO HELP WITH THE RACE SOFTWARE! I will be happy to get it to you in order for you to "play" with it prior to race day. This is a big deal to make for a smooth day! It is the key to a successful race.
Sets up track, tables, chairs. We need a master of ceremonies for the microphone and need several to meet THE NIGHT BEFORE to assemble the track.
Registration Table (2 to 3 adults to stay the duration) Adults will inspect the car based on rules and assign a check-in number for each car. Sticker numbers will be placed on the cars. The numbers will be entered into the race software and used to identify the cars on the holding table. Inspection sheet checklists will be provided at this table. Only scouts are allowed to touch their car after check-in.
- Weigh in car (maximum weight 5 ounces or 141.75 grams). Postal scale will be provided.
- Scouts may adjust weight at the “Car Repair Facility” table if weight exceeds 5 ounces. or they may need "just a little more" weight. This is only accomplished before the final check-in. Cars must go straight to the holding table after official check-in.
- Check car length (7"), width (2 3/4"), underside clearance (3/8") and inspect each car to ensure that they comply with BSA, Council, and/or Pack rules to be qualified for the race. If you buy an official, basic car kit, all of these measurements should be fine.
- Pit Stop Table (1 adult per den) Graphite cars using dry or powdered graphite. Scouts should supply their own dry graphite, but there should be plenty to borrow. This must happen BEFORE check-in. The cars must go straight to the holding table after check-in.
- Car repair facilities This table will be used if the weight exceeds 5 ounces at registration or if the scout would like to add a little more weight. We will need someone to volunteer to bring an electric drill and bit, hot glue gun, a knife, or other wood carvers. A good idea is for everyone to bring any extra BSA wheels and weights if they have them at home. Your scout can then register their car after alterations are made.
- Holding Table (2 adult per den) Place cars by registration number on their corresponding check-in number at the holding table. After placing on the Derby Stop pad, scouts cannot touch or pick up their car until their lane is announced.
Track Crew (6 adults for each den) - Race Announcer: Announces scout names and lane assignments
- Race Controller: Determines lane assignments for each heat. Computer software provided.
- Race Starter: Makes sure that cars are properly aligned on the lane strips. (The Cub Scouts should place their own car on the track.) The adult makes sure the timers are straight and releases the cars to start the race.
- "Get Ready" Person: Assembles the next group of scouts to race.
- Finish Line Judges: (2 adults) usually only needed if our software is not working correctly
Clean Up Crew (minimum 4-6 adults and need scouts)
Disassemble and store track. Put away tables, chairs, and supplies. At least one person on the clean up crew should have experience setting up taking down the track.
Awards (2 adults per den) Provided - awards, certificates and ribbons. We need volunteers to collect/count votes and assign the creative awards during the race (I will have the list, but some examples are: fastest looking car, best paint design, most unique, best craftsmanship, people’s choice awards, least amount of wood car.)
Activity Center (2 adults) There is a lot of down time at a race and we do not want the scouts to get restless! Bring anything you wish to occupy the scouts!
HAVE FUN! I know some of these rules seem strict, however, if your scout goes on to compete in the district or council race, we want you prepared for everything required and to simulate the rules! If you think there was an error in the race calculations, please kindly tell the controllers immediately. Occasionally the timers are not aligned properly.