Pinewood Derby

Cub Scouts  Gentlemen, rev your engines!

Watch 'em scream down our new high-tech track!

The Year 2003 Pack 502 Pinewood Derby!
January 10, 2003
St. Charles School
Wolves, Bears, Webelos - everyone comes out and does their best!

Our Pinewood Derby

Where does it all start?

bulletEvery December at our Christmas Pack Meeting, Santa usually pays us a visit and gives each Cub Scout a Pinewood Derby Kit. Cars similar to the ones above all begin with a simple kit like the one shown here.

The basic Pinewood Derby kit

Pack 502 OFFICIAL PINEWOOD DERBY RULES

bulletInspection

Cars will be inspected during registration for compliance to the specifications set forth below.

bulletImpound

Cars will be impounded when registered. After being impounded, repairs will be limited to replacement of axles/wheels that are broken/lost during the race. Only race officials may make repairs after inspection.

bulletSpecifications
bulletBody

The body in the Official BSA Pinewood Derby Kit must be used. Bodies of other materials will be grounds for disqualification. The body may be shaped, hollowed out, or built up from the original block, as long as it meets all other specifications. Any additions to the original body, i.e. steering wheels, drivers, decals, paint, weights, etc., must be firmly attached.

bulletWidth

The car width at the wheels may not be modified, it must be the same as the original kit. Width must not exceed 2 3/4".

bulletLength

Overall length may not exceed 7".

bulletWheelbase

Wheelbase may not be modified, it must be the same as the official kit.

bulletWheels

Wheels and axles must be as furnished in the official kit. NO washers, bushings, bearings or springs are allowed. Wheels may be sanded to remove the flashing only. No reductions in width or diameter, or changes in shape are allowed.

bulletWeight

The weight of the race-ready car must not exceed five (5) ounces as measured on the official scales.

bulletOther

Cars must free-wheel with no stored energy or movable weights. There is no designated front or back to the supplied body, either end may be the front.

bulletAxle Lubrication

Dry powdered graphite only can be used on wheels and axles. Do not use oil or liquid graphite or the car will be disqualified.

bulletIMPORTANT

Do NOT put anything on the bottom of the car. There is no room between the bottom of the car and the track.

Do NOT change the distance between the wheels or the car will not fit on the track.

 

Guidelines & Sportsmanship Notes

Guidelines

The Pinewood Derby is a parent-son project. Please feel free to give guidance and minimal assistance to your Scout as he builds his Pinewood Derby car. This is a chance for your son to be part of a team (he and you), and to enjoy the spirit of friendly competition with his peers. Also for your Cub Scout to enjoy the satisfaction of building his own car from the kit provided.

A special note to all parents and scouts: Together, please read the following article on sportsmanship. While everyone will be trying to win, it's always a good idea to start out by remembering the Cub Scout Motto, "Do Your Best," and some of the basic ideas behind good sportsmanship.

Sportsmanship

Two things the Pinewood Derby requires each participant to learn are 1) the craft skills necessary to build a car, and 2) the rules that must be followed. Even more important, though, is how we act and behave while participating in the Pinewood Derby or any other group activity. This is called sportsmanship.

The first thing to remember about sportsmanship is that everyone's skills are a little different. You may be good at something like singing or drawing, but not as good at something else like basketball or computers. Parents have different skill levels, too. This doesn't mean that you are a good person one time and not good another time. You can always be a good person, whether or not you have good car-building skills. Remember, you and your friends are individuals first and racers second. This idea is often called having respect for others.

The second thing to remember is to follow the rules. Without rules, there would be no Pinewood Derby. You will never know if you are really good at doing something unless you follow the rules. This is often called being honest.

The third thing to remember about good sportsmanship is that there are winners and losers in every competition. You accept this when you choose to compete. There may be times when you win and feel happy, and times when you lose and feel unhappy. Being a winner is easy, and losing is sometimes hard. If you win, you must not brag or gloat. If you lose, you must not feel jealous or bitter. To be a good sportsman, you must be able to say "I did my best" and be satisfied with the results. You must also be able to appreciate and feel happy for someone else when they run a good race or build a neat car.

Good Luck!

Gentlemen, start your engines!

God Bless Cub Scouting!

© 2002,  Scouting 502, Woburn, Massachusetts 01801
Last revised: January 12, 2002