The Pinewood Derby is one of the most fun and exciting events in the scouting year. Not only do the scouts look forward to this derby, but so do the dads, moms, and siblings, making this truly a family event.
Continuing in the spirit of a family event, this year we are extending an invitation to all family members to build their own derby cars and race in our second race event, the “Outlaw”. The “Outlaw” race gives everyone in the family an opportunity to personally experience the fun and excitement of Pinewood Derby racing. So, build a car and get ready to race!
This year’s Pinewood Derby will be held on January 21, 2012 at Wylie United Methodist Church (corner of McMillen and Country Club). Car registration and weigh-in starts at 1:00pm for both the Scout’s Race and the “Outlaw” Race, so plan on arriving early.
Contents:
- Race Schedule
- Race Entries
- Race Rules
- Awards
- Derby Car Designer and Templates
- Car Kits and Spare Parts
- Construction Tips
Race Schedule:
| 1:00pm |
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Registration and weigh-in for both race events opens |
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| 1:45pm |
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Registration for the Scout’s Race closes |
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Scout’s Car Show |
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| 2:00pm |
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“Outlaw” Race registration closes |
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Scout’s Race starts |
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| 3:15pm |
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Scout’s Race Awards Ceremony |
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| 3:30pm |
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“Outlaw” Race starts |
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NOTE: If a scout misses the registration deadline of 1:45pm for the Scout’s Race, he can try to register for the “Outlaw” Race until 2:00pm. Unfortunately, due to race software setup, staging, and event flow, we will not be able to allow any cars to enter a race event once registration closes. |
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Race Entries:
This Pinewood Derby event is only open to Pack 418 scouts and their families and friends.
All Pack 418 scouts are automatically entered in the Scout’s Race. No entry fee required.
Family members and friends can enter the “Outlaw” Race for a fee of $3/car. All “Outlaw” entries must be received no later than January 12, 2011. To enter, send an e-mail to Cubmaster@pack418.org titled “Outlaw Entry” with your first and last name in the body of the e-mail, and we will reserve a spot for you at the starting line. Your $3 entry fee will be collected on race day.
Only one car entry per person/scout will be permitted.
Race Rules:
Car construction rules for the scout’s derby car must adhere to the BSA rules for Pinewood Derbies. Each official BSA Pinewood Derby Car kit contains the construction rules. The construction rules are also included in the Pack’s Pinewood Derby Rules located here. Failure to fully comply with the car construction rules for the Scout’s Race will disqualify the scout’s car. The construction rules are standardized to ensure all scouts can equally and fairly compete in Pack, City-wide, and District sponsored races and to ensure the car will fit the race track and its required clearances.
The “Outlaw” Race is a special race designated for the scout’s family members and friends who also want to experience Pinewood Derby racing. “Outlaw” cars also have to adhere to BSA construction rules with only two allowed exceptions: (1) The car can weigh up to a maximum of 7.00 ounces; (2) The car’s height can extend up to a maximum of 4 1/8 inches.
To review the Pack’s Pinewood Derby Race Rules, click here.
Awards:
Scout’s Car Show – Top three receive “Best in Show”
Scout’s Race – 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place trophies awarded to the Pack’s top three fastest cars. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place ribbons awarded to the top three fastest cars in each rank (i.e. Tigers, Wolves, Bears, Webelos).
“Outlaws” Race - 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place ribbons awarded to the top three fastest cars.
Derby Car Designer and Templates:
BSA provides a Pinewood Derby Design tool free of charge. Click here to access this tool.
We have several pages (files) of derby car templates available here.
If you need assistance designing or cutting your derby car, contact the Cubmaster at Cubmaster@pack418.org. We will make sure you get any help you need building your car.
Car Kits and Spare Parts:
Each scout receives one (1) car kit free of charge for the Pinewood Derby Race.
Additional car kits are available for purchase from the Scout Store in Fairview or from the Pack for $4/kit.
Replacement wheels and axles are available at the Scout Store in Fairview in a kit of four wheels and four axles for around $3/kit.
The Pack has a few wheels and axles available for purchase at a cost of 75 cents per wheel and axle.
Contact the Cubmaster at Cubmaster@pack418.org if you wish to purchase kits or spare parts from the Pack.
Construction Tips:
TIP #1– Don’t wait until the week of the race to start building your car. Start as early as possible leaving enough time to address any issues. Get with your Den Leader or Cubmaster as soon as your scout gets his car kit and make any necessary plans for construction assistance. Make sure your scout has his car kit no later than Jan 1st.
TIP #2 – If you are a first time derby car builder, don’t worry if you are not sure where to begin. There are many experienced car builders in our Pack. Ask members in your den for assistance or simply contact the Cubmaster at Cubmaster@pack418.org.
TIP #3 – Before you open your derby car kit, have a small, sealable plastic bag or “Ziploc” sandwich bag ready for the contents of your kit. There are four small axles, four BSA wheels, and a BSA construction rules guide in the box with the block of pine for your car. Place the axles, wheels, and rules in the sealable bag for safe keeping until needed.
TIP #4 - Wait to install the wheels until after you have designed, cut, shaped, painted, and detailed your car. The axle groves on car are not intended for multiple assemblies. Pine is soft and tends to give way easily if subjected to repeated assembly. However, if your axles do give way, contact the Cubmaster for repair options.
TIP #5 - It’s all in the paint! Your paint job will give your car so much character, but take careful consideration in the paint you choose. For some, spray paint is the only way to go, but spray paint requires adequate ventilation (not for indoor use!) and a good size drop cloth to catch any overspray. A less toxic alternative is a high gloss, latex paint. Lowes and Home Depot carry ready-made pint and quart size cans of water-based, glossy latex paints. These apply easily with a foam brush, require a much smaller drop cloth and can be used indoors! Also, latex paints tend to dry faster than the enamel spray paints and clean-up is much easier.
TIP #6 - While the weight of your car is an important factor to making your car race faster, it is not the only factor contributing to your car’s top speed. The shape (aerodynamics), the wheel alignment, and the free-spinning ability of your wheels are also very important. So, don’t focus too much on trying to make you car hit the legal maximum weight. No matter how well you design the car, if you go over the maximum weight, your car will be disqualified. Instead, shoot for 4.9 ounces as your maximum weight.
TIP #7 - Weigh your car before painting and assembly. Design, cut, and shape your car, then take your car and its wheels and axles to the official scale. Weigh all components including any additional car weights to be added. If you need to remove/add more material to your car, it’s best to do it before you paint and assemble. As mentioned in TIP #6, target to keep your total car weight under the maximum. (A coat of paint and a few decals will not add much to the weight of a car - less than a tenth of an ounce.)
