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To extend to our scouts equal, initial potential, specific
construction guidelines are presented below. Each car must pass inspection by the Official Inspection Committee before
competing. The District Pinewood Derby is open to all Chartered Pack Units in the Natchez Trace District
(Williamson County) of the Middle Tennessee Council. The race is double elimination.
The Cub & Partner may simply follow the construction rules that
are supplied in each BSA car kit box. However, for teams that desire a more creative approach to car
construction, beyond the limits of the "kit" instructions, the following construction rules set the boundaries.
It is the responsibility of the Pack Unit to issue the District's
Construction Rules to scout parents. Every participant must be a registered member of a Pack
Unit the day of the race. It is the responsibility of each Pack Unit to determine eligibility, usually
depending on your Unit's cross-over date.
Construction
Rules
The
construction guidelines found in the Pinewood Derby Car Kit are relatively basic and easy to apply. The following construction
limits are presented to caution extraordinarily creative builders. It is the responsibility of each Pack Unit to issue this form to parents.
The
car must be built from parts of the "Official Cub Scout Grand Prix Pinewood Derby Kit." This rule will be strictly enforced.
The kit includes 1 block of wood, 4 plastic tires and 4 nails. The kit is available at the Jet Potter Scout Shop and other
official B.S.A. distributors. Car kits from other retailers are not acceptable. Must use B.S.A. materials
only. All BSA markings must be present and undisturbed on both the outside and inside of all 4 wheels. (Additional
car accessories, such as weights and decals, can be purchased at most hobby shops.)
| BSA Grand Prix Pinewood Derby Kit |
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Width: Width shall not exceed 2 3/4". The minimum
width between the wheels is 1 3/4". This is to ensure clearance of the lane guides.
Length: Overall length may not exceed 7". This includes any weights,
decorative tail pipes, wheels etc.
Weight: Total weight is not to exceed 5 ounces (141.7grams). The car may be built up to
a maximum weight by the addition of wood and/or types of metal, provided it is securely attached to the car body. Mercury
or other liquid may not be used as a weight. Weight fastened to the car held by masking or scotch tapes are not acceptable.
Loose materials of any kind are not permitted on or in the car. If a part of the car falls off during the race, it may
be disqualified.
Clearance:
Minimum bottom clearance is 3/8". This is to ensure clearance of the lane guides. Overall height
may not exceed 5".
| Wheel Design Is Important |
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Wheels: B.S.A. Kit wheels and axles only Curving, drilling holes
or altering the original composition of the wheel exterior is not allowed. All BSA markings must be 100% viewable.
Washers, bushings, & all types of wheel bearings and connecting axles are prohibited. Each wheel will have one independent
axle. No starting devices, springs, or "Hub Cap" style wheel covering is allowed. The B.S.A. wheels and axles can be
smoothed by sanding the surface to remove molding imperfections. However, the smoothing process must not remove any
BSA markings on both the inside and outside of the wheels. This includes the dotted treads around the entire circumference
of the outside edge of the tires. Wheels surface must remain flat with full tread surface.
All cars must have four wheels and all wheels must make full tread contact
with the track. All four axles must the same distance from the bottom edge of the var block. (No deliberate "3 wheel"
car) The axles should not be mounted at an angle or deliberately bent in order to tip any of the wheel treads to an
angle. Axles may be lubricated with a dry powder, such as Graphite. However, oily tires must be cleaned before inspection
because this substance can form on the track and create slide spots. Application of all lubricants must take place outside
the racing venue building, before inspection.
Detailing: Details such as steering wheel, driver, windshield, decals, painting, and other interior/exterior items
are allowed as long as they do not cause the car to exceed any of the width, length, weight, or clearance specifications.
Any additions must be securely fastened to the car.
New Car: Each year of racing requires a newly built car made from the B.S.A.
kit of the fiscal year of the race. Previously built Pinewood Derby cars and car built from older kits are not acceptable.
Please do not short-cut the process by borrowing parts from a previous year's car. Start with a new pinewood derby kit each
year. "Short-cut habits" can strain character development of time.
A Cub Scout and his car must be present at the race in order to participate.
All exceptions must be considered by the Chairman & Committee. After inspection and approval, cars are quarantined in
a pre-race staging area. Participants should not touch any car that is on display in the pre-staging area. The scouts will
not have access to their cars until their car number is called. After each heat, the boys must return their cars to the staging
area.
Event Recognition
Trophies will be awarded to the top five participants. A Best Design
Trophy will also be awarded before the last Heat. Two third party, non-participant related adult are chosen before inspection
the day of the race. The best design is defined as the most "boy-made", or a car that appears to have been constructed
by the scout. Every year brings new sophistication in
car design. We are thrilled to view all of the different designs on display. Only one trophy per
top participant.
Inspection Team - The Inspection Team has the right to disqualify those cars that do not meet the construction limits. Car owners
will be informed of violations and given an opportunity to modify the car to pass inspection. Owners must return to the end
of the registration line to resubmit cars. At the conclusion of the 1st round, all unresolved disqualifications are final.
If an appeal is sought, the majority vote of the Derby Committee is final. Unsportsmanlike conduct may be cause for disqualification.
Ground Rules
If a car leaves the lane and interferes with another car, the heat will
be run again. If the same car leaves the track again, it will automatically lose the heat.
If a car suffers a mechanical
problem, and a repair can be accomplished in a reasonable amount of time, before the conclusion of the round, the heat will
be run again. If not, the car will automatically lose the round.
Potential Inspection Procedures
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