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Pinewood Derby

The annual Pinewood Derby is perhaps one of the most iconic traditions of Cub Scouts and is one of the most anticipated events each year.  In Pack 375, the "season" starts at the December Pack meeting is always a very exciting meeting when Santa visits and distributes Pinewood Derby kits to the Scouts.  These kits consist of blocks of wood that will be shaped by the Scouts with the help of their parent or guardian into mini derby cars!  There are specific guidelines that the Scouts must follow in crafting their cars.  The Scouts then take turns racing the cars against their fellow Den Scouts.  

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WHAT SCOUTING GOALS DOES THE PINEWOOD DERBY HELP A SCOUT ACHIEVE?

  • 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 Scout who picks up a woodworking tool and shapes raw wood into a sleek design. And, by learning woodworking, they prepares themselves to more easily serve in the Scouts BSA service projects.

  • Family understanding is enhanced because building a pinewood derby car puts the Scout and their mom, dad, or other adult partner into a close and sometimes intense learning experience over, potentially, many hours.

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HOW MUCH MUST THE SCOUT DO BY HIM OR HERSELF?

There is no rule about this because, quite frankly it would be impossible to enforce. There is no way to know who did what work to a car without watching every car be built.  However, a Scout is Trustworthy and therefore should not represent someone else's work as their own.  There is an article put out by Scouting magazine that does a good job of addressing this topic: "A parent helped build that Pinewood Derby car? Yes, that’s the point"

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In addition to the Scouts, siblings and parents are invited to create their own cars and race them.  The Pack provides 1 Pinewood Derby kit to each Scout.  Additional kits can be purchased from the Pack for $5.

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#1 Rule: HAVE FUN!!!

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Cub Scout Race

CAR SPECIFICATIONS:

  • Width — 2 3/4″ (maximum)

  • Length — 7″ (maximum)

  • Weight — Not over 5 ounces

  • Width between wheels — 1 3/4″ (minimum)

  • Bottom clearance between car and track — 3/8″ (minimum)

 

RULES:

  • Wheel bearings, washers and bushings are prohibited. (Washers used as weights are permitted as long as they are not on the car's axles or wheels.)

  • The car shall not ride on springs.

  • Only official Cub Scout Grand Prix Pinewood Derby wheels and axles are permitted.

  • Only dry lubricant is permitted.

  • Details, such as steering wheel and driver are permissible as long as these details do not exceed the maximum length, width and weight specifications.

  • The car must be free-wheeling, with no starting devices.

  • Each car must pass inspection, the owner will be informed of the reason for failure, and will be given time within the official weigh-in time period to make adjustment.

  • After final approval, cars will not be reinspected unless the car is damaged in handling or in a race.

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RACE PROCEDURE:

  • Starting with the AOL Den and finishing with the Lions, the Scouts in each Scout rank will race against each other. 

  • Each car will race 4 times, once on each lane of the track.

  • Scorning is based on the average time of the car's 4 races.

  • The car with the fastest average time will move on to the Pack Race.  In addition, the fastest 2 cars from the Pack that are not already in the Pack Race will move on. 

  • The Pack Race is completed and scored the same way as the individual Den races.

  • The three fastest cars in the Pack Race are eligible to compete in the District Race.

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AWARDS:

Awards are determined in the following order.  Once a car wins one award, it is ineligible for any subsequent awards*.  

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  • 1st, 2nd & 3rd Place - Overall Pack

  • 1st, 2nd & 3rd Place - Each Den

  • Fuel Saver **

  • 1st Place - Theme Award

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* For Example: The 1st, 2nd & 3rd place cars from the Pack Race will be removed from their Den's ranking and the Den awards will be based on the remaining cars.   Any car that wins "places" in the Pack Race or Den Races cannot win the Theme Award.  

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** The Fuel Saver award is given to the car that embodies the 9th point of the Scout Law, "A Scout is Thrifty" by maintaining slower speeds in order to improve fuel efficiency.

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THEME:

Each year the Webelos Den selects a theme for the race.  In addition to competing for the fastest car, Scouts can design and decorate their car to represent the selected theme.  Note that cars that win a speed award are not eligible to win the theme award.  

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The theme for 2022 is "Movies."   

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Theme award voting will take place during the race.  Each youth in attendance (not just Cub Scouts) will receive 5 tickets to vote for their favorite 5 cars (please vote for 5 separate cars).  

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Sibling Race

CAR SPECIFICATIONS & RULES:

  • Same as Cub Scout Race

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RACE PROCEDURE:​

  • Each car will race 4 times, once on each lane of the track.

  • Scorning is based on the average time of the car's 4 races.

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AWARDS:

  • 1st, 2nd & 3rd Place

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Outlaw Class

CAR SPECIFICATIONS:​

  • Width between wheels — 1 3/4″

  • Bottom clearance between car and track — 3/8″ minimum

 

RULES:​

  • The car shall not interfere with other cars racing at the same time.

  • The car shall not cause damage to the racetrack.

  • Only dry lubricant is permitted.

  • The car must be free-wheeling, with no starting devices.

  • Each car must pass inspection, the owner will be informed of the reason for failure, and will be given time within the official inspection period to make adjustment.

  • After final approval, cars will not be reinspected unless the car is damaged in handling or in a race.

  • Scouts or Siblings with a car in one of the above races are also eligible to enter a second car into the Outlaw Class.

  • Scouts may not enter the Outlaw Class if they have not entered a car into their Den's race.

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RACE PROCEDURE:​

  • Each car will race 4 times, once on each lane of the track.

  • Scorning is based on the average time of the car's 4 races.

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AWARDS:

  • 1st, 2nd & 3rd Place

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Raceday Information

WHAT TO BRING:​

  • Your Pinewood Derby Car, ready to race

  • A name for your Pinewood Derby Car (written down if it is contains any unusual words)

  • Any tools needed for last-minute modifications or repairs

  • The number stickers that came with your car (each car is assigned a number at registration that will allow the race officials to identify the cars.)

  • Scouts and leaders should wear their Class A Uniform.  Parents are encouraged to wear their Pack 375 T-Shirts if available.

  • "Busy bags" for younger siblings that may get bored during the race

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SCHEDULE:​​

  • FRIDAY EVENING:

    • Check in cars at pre-assigned times

  • SATURDAY:

    • Race

Note that we will do our best to stick to the above schedule.  If we are running ahead, we will not start a race early.

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LIVE STREAM OF RACE

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PICTURES

  • Please remember that once a car is checked in, it will not be available to the Scouts or parents until they are returned at the Blue & Gold Banquet in March.  If you wish to take a picture of your Scout with their car, you must do so before going to the check-in table.

  • We will ask each Den to get together for a picture before the start of their race.

  • At the conclusion of each race, the racers with the 3 fastest cars will have their picture taken on the podium at the back of the room.

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NON-PRESENT RACERS

Racers do not have to be present at the time of their race.  Cars should be sent with a friend or checked in early.  Cars can be checked in on Friday during set-up, however the cars will need to stay at the church unattended for the night and will be done so at the risk of the racer.  

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© 2022 Cub Scout Pack 375

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