Pack 377 Pinewood Derby
[Rules] [Unlimited Rules] [Appendix A ] [Appendix B]
Combine the fun, excitement and competition of
a race with the planning, design and building of a car. What do you get? The
Pinewood Derby which has been a part of Cub Scouting for decades.
Cub Scouts.... start your engines!
A similar call is echoed in the biggest race of the year, The Indianapolis 500.
Well, in Cub Scout Pack 377, our Pinewood Derby is just as big in the hearts of
our participants.
Since 1997, Cub Scout Pack 377 has built a history of exciting races and all out
fun with our derby. We do so with a few things in mind. There's nothing wrong
with wanting to build the fastest pinewood derby car you can. In fact, everyone
will have that same goal! But it is important to remember why the Pinewood Derby
races exist.
The Pinewood Derby was started to promote learning, competition, and
sportsmanship.
Learning is an important part of pinewood derby races. The Cub Scouts should not
only learn about such concepts as friction and gravity, but they should learn
how to work with tools safely. Depending on the experience of the Cub Scout, it
may be necessary for adult supervision while building the pinewood derby car.
Building a Pinewood Derby car is a great way for an adult and a Cub Scout to
spend time together!
Just remember that in competition, there is always a person that wins and a
person that loses. Competition drives us to do our best. By participating and
competing, we broaden our knowledge, and skills to become a better person. The
only loser is the person that refuses to better him or herself.
Sportsmanship involves both following the rules and how you behave at the
pinewood derby. No matter how your car performs, you want to behave in a manner
that will allow you to feel good in the days to follow. It is important to
follow the rules in the Pinewood Derby car kit and any rules established by the
local Pinewood Derby committee.
The rules are simple and are found in the kit as follows:
1. The overall width of the car shall not exceed 2-3/4 inches.
2. The width between the wheels shall not exceed 1-3/4 inches.
3. The overall length of the car shall not exceed 7 inches.
4. There shall be a 3/8 inch clearance between the bottom of the car and the
track.
5. The weight of the car shall not exceed 5 ounces.
6. Wheel bearings, washers, and bushings are prohibited.
7. The car shall not ride on springs.
8. Only official wheels and axles are permitted.
9. Dry graphite is the only lubricant allowed.
10. The car must be freewheeling with no starting devices.
11. The car must pass inspection by the committee at registration
Now that you know the rules, make your
car fast!
By following the construction rules above, you will build a car that is fair and
equal to your competitors. How do you pull away on the track? How will your car
win?
Give your derby car a precision tune-up! In the instruction kit, there are tips
and hints to making a faster car. There are also tools designed to perform seven
critical measurements on your pinewood racer. These include clearance between
the car and wheels, wheel camber, toe-in/toe-out, wheel parallelism, car length
and width, and track clearance. These tools are made from molded plastic with
easy-to-read markings and the instructions are included.
Add to your design by making your car run straight, smooth and quick. Dry
graphite is the perfect lubricant for your wheels. It
does make a difference!
 Pinewood Racer Alignment Tool |
 Dry Graphite |
Think about your design!
Now you know the rules. You also know the way
to make your racer run quicker (many Tiger Cubs wish the older scouts would have
shared these ideas with them during their first Pinewood Derby race! Live and
Learn was their motto!!).
What shape will you make your car? Does it even have to be a car? It is up to
you! Take a look at the examples at the top of the page, and then look at these
models below. For information about these designs and more, check out the web
site Maximum-Velocity.com
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It's Race Day!
On race day, your car will have to pass "Tech Inspection". You arrive on race
day, and check in your potential winner. If your car passes the tests for
weight, shape and size, then your car is placed in line and awaits the next
available slot to race. Once you car in checked in and has passed inspection,
you will not be able to make any changes to your car.
Have a seat, watch the races and cheer on your winner!
If you have a question during the event, simply look for a race official. They
will have official ribbons on their shirt and they are there to answer your
questions.
The key to the fun is to relax and enjoy the event!
Good luck!