Public Pinewood Derby - Cub Scout Pack 52 (Swissvale/Swisshelm Park, Pennsylvania)

Each pack is entitled to send scouts to the district Pinewood Derby. The following rules are for the District pinewood derby race. Our pack does not follow their race format because we do not have a timed track, but we do enforce the car specifications so that any car is eligible to compete in the district race if the scout so chooses.

Lackawanna District Pinewood Derby Rules

These rules apply to the district races and are strongly encouraged for use in pack events. Racers from packs not enforcing these rules are required to meet these standards to race in the district finals.

Car

The official pine wood block must be used. The block may be shaped in any way that is desired. Precut “kit” and complete pre-made cars are NOT permitted. Only cars built for this year may race.¹
Width shall not exceed 2-3/4 inches
Length shall not exceed 7 inches
Height shall not exceed 4 inches
Body-to-ground clearance shall not be less than 3/i inh. Bottom-mounted weights must be recessed in the body to maintain minimum clearance
Weight shall not exceed 5 ounces
Axles, wheels, and body shall be from the materials provided in the kit, or like materials from replacement kits probided by the BSA. Weights shall not cover axle slots.
Wheels may not be sanded to improve operation. The decorative bumps must be present on the side of the wheels. You may remove the seams and imperfections from the wheels.
Axles may be polished or modified. No additions to axle may be made.
Axle location is pre-set on the block and should not be modified. Corrections to the groove for the axle orientation are permitted.
Wheel bearings, washers, and bushings are prohibited.
No lubricating oil may be used. Axles may be lubricated with powdered graphite or silicone. Application of powdered lubricant is to be done outside of race venue.
The car shall not ride on any kind of spring.
The car must be free-wheeling, with no starting devices.

Race Format

Racing is done with cars running an equal number of times in each lane of track.²
Races may be run in computer-generated (normal) order (preferred) or back-to-back. In Normal Order, scouts will be randomly placed against other races throughout the round, NOT four races and done.
Scoring for the initial round is to be done by cumulative time.
Final round is the eight cars with the lowest cumulative time for each grouping.
Final-round scoring is Swiss-style, head-to-head, best of three runs. Highest seed picks lane for first race. The cars are reversed in lane order for subsequent rounds.
The track is to be wood or metal, and designed to specifications outlined in the Cub Scout How-To Book.
Track set-up to be done by sponsoring pack.
Track inspection to be done by District representative.

Pit Crew

Pit Crew members may have Scouts racing but are not permitted a position that handles car in any fashion (i.e., announcer, computer operated, event co-ordinator).
Recommended minimum pit crew members:
Car inspector (2) – one for weight, and one for car specifications.
Paddock crew (2) – transport cars from inspection station to impound area. During race, one to hand out cars, and one to collect cars.
Racing official (computer operator) should have good working knowledge of computer software in use.
Starter – places cars on track and opens starting gate.
Flagman – removes cars from track.
Announcer – calls scouts to on-deck circle.

Car Inspection

Car inspection to be done at race check-in as follows:

The car weight and dimension check. If vehicle fails, the scout is given the option to modify the car to meet specifications, or race as-is. Cars not meeting specification will not be eligible for the final round but will be permitted to race in round one. Cars that will not clear the race gate due to height will NOT be permitted to race.
Car is to be issued a number and recorded as valid racer.
Car is to be impounded until race. No work may be done to car once it is registered and impounded.
If the car loses a wheel, or is otherwise damaged, the racer shall have five minutes to make repairs. If requested, an adult may assist in repairs.
Cars will be returned to scouts upon completion of the final round. Early distribution of cars not in the final round is at the discretion of the sponsoring pack.
A Repair / Modification Area should be set up for scouts to make their cars meet requirements. Cars may add powdered lubricant over the repair catch basin.
No check-in after race begins due to computer limitations.
Provisional late registration at the discretion of the district representative.

Racing the Race

Scouts must be present to race. Exceptions are at the discretion of the district representative.
At no time may anyone enter the paddock area or handle the cars other than the pit crew.
Scouts will be called by number to an on-deck area. Scouts will be given their cars by the pit crew immediately before their race.
Scouts will present cars to the starter. ONLY the starter may place cars on the track.
Scouts will proceed to the finish area of the track.
The Starter will release the cars.
Once the race is determined to be a good race and times are recorded, the Pit Crew member at the end of the track will hand the scouts their cars. Scouts are not to remove their cars from the track.
Scouts will then return their car to the paddock area where a member of the pit crew will return the cars to the paddock.
Once the first round is completed, there will be a short break to determine racers for the final round.

Final Round

All the final-round racers will be called to the on-deck area. This may be done by scouting level (Webelos, Bears, etc.) or all at once at the race crew's discretion.
The racers for each grouping will be seeded 1 through 8 based on the cumulative time, with one racer having the lowest cumulative time and racer 8 having the eighth-lowerst cumulative time of the top eight.
This round is the best of three races.

The following sequence is to be run for each scouting level:

The first round of the finals is as follows:

A. Racer 1 vs. Racer 8
B. Racer 2 vs. Racer 7
C. Racer 3 vs. Racer 6
D. Racer 4 vs. Racer 5

The second round of the finals is as follows:

E. First Place in Race A vs. First Place in Dace D.
F. Second Place in Race A vs. Second Place in Race D
G. First Place in Race B. vs. First Place in Race C.
H. Second Place in Race B. vs. Second Place in Race C.

The final round is:

I. Second Place in Race F s. Second Place in Race H.
J. Second Place in Race E vs. Second Plce in Race G
K. First Place in Race F vs. First Place in Race H.
L. First Place in Race E. vs. First Place in Race G.

Final Standings

First Place in Race L.
Second Place in Race L.
First Place in Race J
Second Place in Race J
First Place in Race K
Second Place in Race K
First Place in Race I
Second Place in Race I

COMPUTER FAILURE

In the event of computer failure, the race be run on a contingency format. This requires the starter and two (or three) Pit Crew members to be at the track. The winner is determined by the two crew members at the end of the track. In a split decision, the starter, or if available a third Pit Crew member, breaks the tie. Once a decision is made by the three pit crew judges, it is final.

Swiss-style non-elimination is preferred. This format is greatly improved by having a card for each racer on which points and opponents are recorded. In this format, racers run in lanes one or two only. Racers are given one point for each one and no points for a loss. Lane position is determined at randome.

Round One

Order is determined by putting the cars in alphabetical order and splitting them in half, paring the first car from the upper pile to the first card from the lower pile, and so forth.

Round Two and On

Order is determined by random draw of racers with the same point total. If racers have raced one another, paring should be made. Effort should be made to ensure racers alternate lanes. Rounds should be continued until there are eight in the highest group. At that point, the above-mentioned Round Two should be used.

Less fun for the scouts, but also acceptable, is double-elimination.

Final decision on any rules interpretation is at the discretion of the district representative. Their decision is final and no appeal may be made.

¹This rule is not enforceable at the race. It is self-enforced by scouts to reinforce honesty.

²Equal runs in each lane may not be achieved in the contingency format.