Pack 1305 Pinewood Derby Official Competition Rules for 2020

Pack 1305 is honored to have you participate in the Fifth Annual Pinewood Derby. The Pinewood Derby has been a part of the Cub Scout Program since 1953. As its popularity has grown, the Pinewood Derby has evolved and different Councils have adopted different rules for competition. To ensure that this event is truly representative of all Cub Scouts and allows all qualifying Scouts to compete on an equal racing field, the following rules, adapted from those designed by the Greater New York Council for the World Pinewood Derby, have been put in place.

Participation Qualification:

Competition in the Pinewood Derby is open to all Cub Scouts registered with BSA as members of Pack 1305. The youth must be a registered Cub Scout at some point since January 1st, 2020. Scouts that began the calendar year as a Webelos Scout and have since transitioned to a Troop are still eligible to compete.

A second set of races, the Outlaw Races, will be open to participants who are either not registered or are not Cub Scouts, this can also include adults. Any car that does not meet the specifications outlined below will automatically be placed in this outlaw division if the racer is unavailable for car modifications. Inspectors will not alter the cars. Categories for Outlaw races will be determined based on what cars will be racing and will be determined by the official pit crew. Trophies for Outlaws may or may not be available if multiple categories are required.

Check-in:

Each car entered must pass inspection by the Inspection Committee prior to race day. A Basic Inspection will be performed on all cars to determine a car’s eligibility to competitively race in the Pinewood Derby. Cars that do not meet Basic Stock Car specifications will be offered the option to remediate the car to fill specifications or, if not possible, to race in the Outlaw Races, provided they also meet the Outlaw Race Requirements.

After successfully passing Basic Inspection, the car will be inspected for conformity to Stock Class specifications. If the car passes the Stock Class Inspection, it will be labelled and entered into a Stock Class race round.

If the car does not pass for Stock Class, the racer will be called to the Check-In table to discuss options. The racer can choose to move to Outlaw Class or remediate the non- passing portions of the car for Stock Class racing. If remediation is chosen and performed by the racer, the car will be fully re-inspected. A Reinspection Lane will be available for quick access into the Inspection queue.

Officials have the right to disqualify any car, racer, or racing team that does not meet all of the stated rules and specifications, or displays un-scouting like conduct. A Scout is Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, and Reverent. The Official’s decision is final.

After a car has passed inspection, it will be placed in a series of designated staging locations. No modifications will be allowed after inspection. It will remain in the possession of the Pinewood Derby Staff until all races have been completed, results have been tallied, and design judging finalized. Check-in/Check-out Staff will be kept informed of potential speed or design trophy contenders, and only Race Officials will handle the car until the final Award Ceremony has been completed.

Note that questions regarding car specs and rules can be directed to the Pinewood Derby Staff up to 2 days prior to the race date. Due to the extensive preparation and execution of this event, questions submitted within the 2 calendar days prior to the race via email, phone, text, social media, semaphore, Morse code, smoke signals, or any other medium cannot be addressed. Questions or issues submitted without response from the Pinewood Derby Staff does not constitute acceptance, compliance, or assent with the request.

Basic Car Specifications:

Dimensions and weights:

• Cars must have been built during the 2019-20 Pinewood Derby racing season (September 2019 through March 2020) using an Official BSA Pinewood Derby Kit or official BSA components purchased through an authorized BSA retailer such as a Scout Shop. All official BSA authorized products will include a “BSA Officially Licensed Product” Seal. Non-official BSA parts, even if sold by an official BSA retailer, are prohibited. Aftermarket car kits, non BSA precut kits, or cars purchased whole or in part from another racer, company, internet entity, or other are prohibited. Cars must be constructed by the racer and an adult, Scouts honor.

• Width, including wheels, axles, and any fenders or cosmetics, must not exceed 2 3⁄4 inches (6.99cm).

• Length shall not exceed 7 inches (17.78cm). If fenders are present, they can not extend beyond the front or rear car body.

• Weight shall not exceed 5.0 ounces (141.75 grams) measured on a scale accurate to 1/10th of an ounce. Overweight cars must be reduced to running weight (or below) before they can be entered. The official race scales shall be considered final. * NOTE: For Outlaw Cars, weight can be as much as 1 pound (453.59 grams).*

• Cars must clear the center rail of the track, which is 1 5/8 inches wide by 1⁄4 inch tall along the entire length of the car. Minimum clearance between the entire bottom of the car and the bottom of the wheels shall be 3/8 of an inch.

• No part of the car may protrude beyond the track start gate starting pin. The front edge of the car must not be more than 1 inch above the track surface and be at least 1/2 inch wide at the center of the car.

• Any details added must be within length, width, and weight limits.

• All cars must have a wheel base no less than 4 inches (101.6 mm), with the two rear wheels being positioned directly across the body from one another and the two front wheels being positioned directly across the body from one another. Wheels cannot extend beyond the front or rear of the car body proper. The car body proper is defined as the contiguous wood body itself and excludes attached wood parts, accessories of any material, or decorations. As an example, a bumper shaped from the original wood block that has not been dissected from the block and reattached is part of the car proper. A bumper that was cut away from the block and reattached is not part of the car proper.

• No part of the car or any attachment to the car may be capable of coming into contact with the track other than the wheels.

Examples of Prohibited Items which CANNOT be used:

• Any type of magnets, springs, washers, bearings, bushings, nylon shims, axle guards, wheel weights, wheel well weights, inner wheel air dams (also known as air deflectors or air shields), inner or outer wheel covers – clear or otherwise, or any item internal or external to a factory BSA wheel, moving weights, liquid lubricants actively wet or dried, or suspension systems of any type. *Outlaw cars may include extra devices provided they do NOT affect the integrity of the track. NO LIQUID LUBRICANTS.*

• Any item not included in an official BSA Pinewood Derby Car Kit or not purchased through an authorized BSA retailer, except cosmetic items or fenders. Aftermarket axles are not permitted. *Outlaw exceptions.*

• Starting devices, finish line devices, propellants, or propulsion systems. *Outlaw exceptions.*

• Wet paint, sticky substances. ALL CARS

• Glass, excessively fragile parts. ALL CARS

• Electronic devices. *Outlaw exceptions.*

• Bearings or solid one-piece rod style axles. *Outlaw exceptions.*

• Aftermarket purchased axles. *Outlaw exceptions.*

• Axles and wheels attached to any device that mechanically alters rotation or spin. *Outlaw exceptions.*

• Loose objects on or in the car. All weight must be securely fastened or embedded in or on the car. ALL CARS

Wheels and Axles:

Use of only Official BSA Wheels from an authorized BSA retailer; colored wheels are permitted.

o Only official BSA wheels from an authorized BSA retailer can be used. Note, wheels with the letters BSA and China or any other indication other than a standard BSA wheel from a BSA authorized retailer is not permitted. *Outlaw exceptions.*

o All lettering and numbering, both inside and outside, must remain complete and unaltered from factory diecasting, and be completely visible with no obstruction of any kind. No wheel covers of any type or any name, inside or outside, may be used. *Outlaw exceptions.*

o The fluting and other BSA markings on the outside wheel area must remain visible and unaltered. *Outlaw exceptions.*

o Outer wheel surface (tread area only) may be LIGHTLY sanded, shaved, or polished to remove minor surface imperfections, mold casting burrs, and correct off center wheel bores; but total wheel diameter may not be reduced below 1.170 inches (29.72mm). Outer wheel surface must not be reshaped or have the contour changed in any way in an attempt to minimize tread contact or alter aerodynamics. Wheels with ANY flex to the tread or sidewall when squeezed or twisted in inspection will not pass. Lathing outer wheel tread is allowed within the confines of the above specs. *Outlaw exceptions.*

o Tread surface must be flat and parallel to the wheel bore and have a thickness of 0.036 inches consistently across the tread. *Outlaw exceptions.*

o Wheels may not be reversed (hub facing away from the car body) and must be mounted in standard position. *Outlaw exceptions.*

o Coning the hubs and truing the inside tread edge is allowed, as long as overall wheel width is not reduced below 0.36 inches (9.14 mm). Removal of outer hub step down is only allowed in Outlaw Class. *Outlaw exceptions.*

o NO MATERIAL may be removed from the inside wheel tread, sidewall, hub surfaces. *Outlaw exceptions.*

o Minimum outside diameter of wheel must be equal to or greater than 1.170 inch (29.72mm), and must maintain the ridges on the outer edge. *Outlaw exceptions.*

o Inspectors reserve the right to measure the wheel with calipers to verify dimensional compliance with official wheel size restrictions. If graphite is not present or oil is suspected, graphite will be applied to all wheels.

▪ The weight of the wheel shall not be increased or decreased. No material such as glue, fingernail polish, or tape, may be added to the inside of the wheel increasing its weight. ALL CARS

• Wheel Bore treatment is allowed including polishing and/or tapping. Wheel bores may not be filled and re-drilled to alter bore diameter or to achieve better fit with the axle (no material may be added to the wheels).

• Axles may be canted for alignment purposes.

• Axles may not be bent.

• If axles are suspect, the racer will be asked to pull them for inspection and that racer will be responsible to re-install them.

Please note: There are after-market modified wheels available that have been LIGHTENED. This is usually done by turning the wheels on a lathe and removing material from the inside of the wheel. These wheels are NOT allowed and can be EASILY RECOGNIZED at inspection. Cars with third party manufactured or modified wheels will not be permitted to race.

Wheels determined by the Inspectors to be out of compliance must be replaced to compete. Official BSA wheels will be available. Wheels from non BSA retailers such as Michaels, Hobby Lobby, etc. are not permitted. If unable to replace, cars will be offered to race in Outlaw division.

The following diagram offers wheel measurements and examples of disqualifying wheel modifications.

The following image shows an example of the seal that should be present on any materials used in the building of the Pinewood Derby:

STOCK CAR CLASS: Wheels, Axles and Suspension:

These specs are in addition to Basic Car Specifications:

• All Basic Car Inspection rules and specifications apply.

• The Stock Car Division is intended to maintain a level of competition of which most boys are capable of achieving with minimal adult intervention. This division is the essence of the Pinewood Derby and in the sense of fair play we’ve kept the rules simple. Any car that passes the basic qualifications above but doesn’t pass the Stock Car rules will be subject to Outlaw Class inspection.

• Only official BSA Pinewood Derby Kit wheels, or official BSA wheels purchased from an authorized BSA retailer, and BSA axles may be used. Wheels may be lightly sanded to remove any mold projection (also known as flash). This very light sanding is the ONLY wheel modification allowed. All markings must be intact on the inside and the outside of wheel. Colored BSA wheels are permitted.

• All 4 wheels must be in contact with the track at all times. The wheel tread does not have to be flat on the track.

• BSA axles may be polished, deburred and dry lubricated but must be left otherwise untouched – period. No lubricating oil or liquid lubricant of any kind may be used.

• Inspectors will visually inspect and use magnets to ensure BSA factory axles are present.

• Factory axle slots must be used and visible, with the factory standard 4 & 3/8 inch wheelbase. Axles are positioned 1 inch from one end (usually the front bumper), and 1 & 5/8 inches from the other (usually the rear bumper). Slots may be trued or straightened. Axels cannot be drilled into the car body proper with the exception of into the factory slot. A factory slot may be filled with wood putty or other material and drilled only for axle placement.

• The tip of the nail axle must be visible to allow inspectors to verify nail axles are being used.

Wheels, Axles and Suspension

These specs are in addition to Basic Car Specifications:

All Basic Car Inspection rules with reference to length, height and all measurements affecting interactions with the track, including front and back of car for purposes of the starting line and finishing line must be observed.

Wheels:

• Wheel Bore treatment is allowed including polishing, sanding and / or tapping, however wheel bores may not be filled and re-drilled.

o All wheels must be mounted on an axle, on the outside of the car, on the side of the car opposite of the relative other wheel.

o Each wheel must be attached by an axle.

• No part of the wheel can extend beyond the front or rear of the car body proper.

Axles:

• Four separate nail type axles are to be used. The World Derby Inspection Team will determine axles are in compliance as being official BSA axles acquired from an official BSA retailer.

• Axles must be inserted into the factory slots on car.

• Graphite is the only lubricant allowed at the Pack 1305 Pinewood Derby.

OUTLAW CLASS:

Outlaw cars may be cars constructed from previous years. They may also utilize methods of propulsion that do not involve liquid lubricant or any other means that could affect the integrity of the track. Axles that have been altered, whether intentional or not, will be placed in this category if they can not be placed as given in Stock Car specifications. Please refer to rules above to see which rules apply to Outlaw cars and which apply to ALL CARS. Rules that apply to ALL CARS, if not observed, will also disqualify an Outlaw.

Race Operations and Miscellaneous Rules:

• If a car suffers a mechanical problem during a race (i.e loses an axle, breaks a wheel, etc...), the participant and/or a designated adult will have up to three minutes to fix the car. The race will NOT be rerun, nor can ongoing races be delayed.

• If a car leaves the track during a race, the race will be rerun. If the same car leaves the track a second time during, the car will be judged “last place” in that race.

• If a car leaves its lane, Race Officials, at their discretion, may inspect the track and, if a track fault is found which may have caused the initial violation, the Race Officials, at their discretion, may order the race to be rerun after the track is repaired.

• In the event of Starter interference, the race will be re-staged and rerun.

• The track’s electronic timers will record finishing place for all cars in each race. In the event of

technical difficulties, the Finish Line Judges will determine the order of finish.

• In the event of a mid-race timer failure, the Official Race Committee will determine the best approach to racing based on the circumstances. All decisions of the Official Race Committee are final.

• Only Track Officials will be permitted in the track area.

• Track Officials are responsible for the proper conduct of the races. Good sportsmanship and behavior is expected for all attendees. Race Officials may ask anyone not following this rule to leave.

• Please make note that all decisions of the Official Race Committee are final.

Race Methodology: Regular Racing

• Each car will race once in each lane (4 times). Each race is timed with electronic equipment. In the event the equipment fails, the heat(s) will be re-run.

• The slowest heat time will be dropped and the accumulation of the remaining times will determine the standings for each racer.

• Racing Car numbers will be created based on attendance, check-in and inspection order, and other event and logistic factors.

• At the conclusion of a Round, that Round’s standings will be displayed.

Determining Regular Racing Winners

• The top 3 fastest cars from each Rank will be crowned the winners and shall receive trophies. This will be the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place: Tigers, Wolfs, Bears, Webelos, & Arrow of Light.

•For the Grand Final Races, the top 3 fastest cars from each Rank (for a total of 15 cars, if top 3 finishers in each rank exist) will go against each other according to the same terminology above to determine the overall pack winners. Top Pack winners will also receive a trophy.

Trophy Ceremony

Trophies will be conferred at the conclusion of the Grand Final Races.

Top 3 from each den, Top 3 for Pack, Top 3 for Outlaw Racers (subject to Race Officials’ Determination)

• Additional Design Awards (only available to Pack 1305 Cub Scouts, Outlaws not included)

o Most Patriotic

o Best Paint Job

o Best Scout Theme

o Most Creative

o Lantern Rouge (slowest car to pass the finish line)