PINEWOOD DERBY

Derbies of one kind or another have always been a part of Cub Scouting. As early as 1939, the BSA Supply Division listed kits for model planes, boats, and airplanes. The derbies have been viewed as a way to get parents and sons to cooperate on a project.

The first reference to the Pinewood Derby in a Scout publication was in the October, 1954 issue of Boys' Life. The June, 1955 Program Helps listed "Wheels, Wings, and Things" as a theme. The Cub Scout Program Quarterly gave instructions for running the Pack Meeting Derby. The Supply Division's catalogs had kits available for $2.75 for a package of eight. Over 15 million kits were sold during the next 20 years.

A BUNCH OF FUN! On race day it is a Pack of Cub Scouts racing gravity powered wooden CARS of various shapes and colors rolling on plastic wheels down a 32' plywood track. But the actual competition is only a small part of it. The building of the car, from coming up with the design to applying the last coat of paint, is where the real fun is at. Each Cub Scout gets a kit with a block of wood, four nails for axles, and four plastic wheels. Always keeping in mind the Pack's RULES, he shapes and paints his block of wood into a form to race down the track. This block of wood on wheels may end up looking like a car, a fish, a cartoon character, or even a coffin on wheels! Almost anything!

The cars are gravity powered, and run down a track of three lanes. The Track's start line is approximately. 5' high, and the track slopes down to the floor and levels off for the final 16' or so. The cars are placed on the starting line, the Trackmaster pulls the starting device, and they are off, heading for the finish.

Probably the biggest issues about how well a car runs down the track, and the biggest issues surrounding the rules, is with the weight of the cars. We've found the Tinicum Post Office very helpful. Year after year, they have weighed our "pre-race" cars.

Clean-Up Committee: All parents and leaders are required to help clean-up after the race.

Crowd Control: Two individuals responsible for helping Cubs with race day logistics and behavior. S/he also helps with one of the most difficult lessons that Cubs learn about 'sportsmanship' during the races!

Finishers: Two individuals who retrieve the cars from the track and place in appropriate numbered box in the Start Box.

Inspectors: Two individuals who inspect the cars for rule compliance.

Start Box: Box used to place cars in after registered.

Starters: Two individuals who retrieve cars from Start Box and place on track.

Trackmaster: The person hired to set up track and run races.

1. Essential Materials: All cars entered MUST be constructed from the Official Grand Prix Pinewood Derby Kit (referred to below as the kit) as sold by the Scout Shop with exception to the Tiger Cubs. Cars will be issued at the December Pack Meeting.
   
2. Competitors: All Cub Scouts will compete together as a Pack.
3. Attendance: Only the Cub Scout may enter his car. This means that the Cub Scout must be present to enter his car into competition.
4. "New Work": Construction of entries must not have begun before the previous year's Pinewood Derby Race.
5. Single Entry: No Cub Scout may enter more than one car.
6. Single Trophy: No Cub Scout may win more than one trophy. If a Cub Scout wins a trophy in the racing event, he will not win a trophy for Best of Show.
7. Weight of Car: Car may weigh no more than five (5) ounces (total weight) as determined on the official scales during race day check-in.
8. Width of Car: Car can not be more than 2¾ inches wide.
9. Length of Car: Car can not be more than seven (7) inches long.
10. Height of Car: Car shall not be taller than three (3) inches in height.
11. Wheels and Axles: The car shall roll on four (4) wheels. The wheels shall turn about the axle nails. The axle nails shall be firmly affixed to the wood of the car body. Wheel treatment (hub and tread smoothing and polishing) may not result in substantial removal of mass nor in reducing the tread (track contact) width from the original wheels. You can polish the axles. You may lightly sand the wheels to remove the molding seam on the tread. No other wheel changes are allowed. You may not use hubcaps, washers, inserts, sleeves, bearings, or bushings.
    
12. Weights and Attachments: Weight may be added to the car and will be considered part of the car for purposes of all measurements. "Weight" is considered to be any material on the car that is not provided in the kit. All weight must be securely fastened to the car (e.g. by permanent glue, nails or screws, but not by "sticky substances", e.g. tape, or tack spray). Weights shall be passive (i.e. non-moveable, non-magnetic, non-electric, non-sticky, etc.). The car must be free-wheeling with no starting devices.
    
13. Wheel Placement: The car body must be at least 1¾ inches wide at the axles. It must clear the ground by at least inch. If desired, you may change the wheelbase (distance between front and rear axles). The four wheels, two on each side of the car, must be placed such that the car will maintain all four wheels in contact with the surface of the track.
14. Springing: The car may not ride on any type of springs.
15. Details: Details such as steering wheel, driver, decals, painting, and interior details are okay. The finished car with details must meet the maximum length, width and weight rules. Cars with wet paint will not be accepted.
16. Gravity Powered: The car may not be constructed or treated in such a way that the track's starting mechanism imparts momentum to the car. (For instance, this provision disqualifies cars with sticky substances on the front of the car and protrusions which may catch on the starting pin.)
17. Lubricants: Lubricants may not foul the track. Use dry powdered graphite ONLY. You may not use any other lubricant, especially oils and silicone sprays. No graphite may be applied after car inspection and registration. Exception to this rule if the Trackmaster deems.
    
18. Inspection Gages: Scale, ruler, and length box will be the official equipment for the race. (Please stress this fact to all members of the Pack: They should be prepared to make adjustments to their cars if necessary.)
19. Inspection: Each car must pass inspection by the Official Inspectors before it may compete. The Inspectors will disqualify any car not meeting these rules. The Inspectors decision is final.
20. Impounding: Once the car has been inspected and registered, the Cub Scout may not lubricate or otherwise improve that car between or during the race. (Unless otherwise deemed by the Trackmaster.)
21. Car Handling Responsibility: Starters shall be responsible to stage the cars at the starting line. Finishers will retrieve the cars at the finish line (after the race has been called) and return the cars to the Start Box after the heat is finished.
22. Lane Assignment: Lane assignment for each heat shall be determined Trackmaster.
23. Car Repair: If, during the race, a wheel falls off or the car becomes otherwise damaged, then the Cub Scout may, to the best of his ability perform repairs. The Cub Scout may seek advice for repairing the car, but may receive no other assistance. If a car is damaged due to track fault or due to fault of another car or Cub Scout, then the Trackmaster, at his sole discretion, may allow additional repair assistance.

1. GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP AND BEHAVIOR IS EXPECTED. Race Officials may ask anyone not following this rule to leave.
2. Only Race Officials are permitted inside the track area.

1. Each Cub Scout must bring his own car to the Registration/Inspection Table. If the car fails to meet any rules, the Inspectors will tell the Cub Scout the exact problems. The Cub Scout may change the car to meet the rules and re-register.
2. After inspection, Registars register the cars. Each car is given a number which the Registars write on the Registration Form, place a sticker on the car, and place the car in the appropriate numbered box in the Starter Box. Cub Scouts will also be given a sticker to place on his shirt indicating his number. Cub Scouts may not handle their car again unless Trackmaster deems it necessary.
3. Trackmaster calls cars to the gate for their heats by number assigned. Starters retrieve cars from Start Box and place on track.
4. The Trackmaster will determine 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place for each heat.
5. Elimination from racing is as follows: During each heat the first place car is given 0 points, the second place car is given 1 point, and the third place car is given 2 points. Once the points have reached 6, the car is eliminated from racing. (This is the way the Trackmaster did it previous years...this rule is subject to change as deemed by the Trackmaster.)
6. Finishers will retrieve the cars from the track and place in appropriate numbered box in the Start Box.

Trophy winner will be selected by at least three judges. Judges are impartial members of the community of Tinicum who have who have been appointed by the Cubmaster. Please be aware the Best of Show Trophy will go to the car that actually looks like a Cub designed and painted it.

• Follow your Pack's rules. If you can't pass inspection, you can't race. If you can't race, you can't win!
• Assure Ground Clearance. Tracks vary in center rail thickness. (The car straddles the center rail as it runs down the track.) You will not know until race day if the center rail is 3/16" or nearly 3/8" thick. Usual thickness is around 1/4", but subject to variation. Failure results in either grinding to a stop part way down the track or dramatically flying off the track as a high spot is passed. If you can't get to the finish line, you can't win!
• Assure that the car will "run" on the track. A narrow nose may not stage correctly on the starting mechanism (bad news!) and may not trip the finish line sensor correctly (might lose a race or two for you).
• Make sure that the wheels are in balance, in round, moving freely, and correctly aligned. If not, it will slow itself down as it rolls down the track! Failure here could make a car finish in the bottom quarter.
• Maximize weight vs. wind drag. As the aerodynamics of the cars shape improve, the weight of the car becomes somewhat less important. With good aerodynamics the car may lose a few places as its weight is reduced from five ounces. With poor aerodynamics, the loss of weight has more significant effect.
• Optimize weight distribution. As the center of gravity moves farther back in the car, there is more energy available to be converted into speed. If the center of gravity is too far back, the car loses stability and will "rattle around" toward the end of the race track. Locate the center of gravity about 1/4" to 3/4" ahead of the rear axle. As long as the car is stable, weight distribution will affect the car's performance only a few places.
• Design your car so that it runs in the steepest, smoothest, straightest and slickest lane, no matter which lane you use.
• Front wheels forward as far as rules allow, without affecting rear wheel location (longest allowed wheelbase).
• Weight as close to maximum allowed as possible.
• Wheels "in round", balanced, and all contact surfaces polished.
• Axle contact surfaces polished.

• Prepare wheels and axles.
• Draw profile of car on side of block. You can use one of these Templates.
• Using handsaw, cut car's profile.
• Draw top view, including openings for weights.
• Cut top view.
• Shape and Sand.
• Take to Post Office and weigh body, axles, wheels . . . add lead to total five (5) ounces.
• Trim to weight limit; final sanding.
• Paint/Decorate.
• Install and align wheels.
• Add graphite and work into wheels.

'Twas the night before Pinewood,
His car still needed lead,
He had done his very best,
When his mom yelled "Get to bed!"
He climbed under his blanket,
His car wasn't ready to race,
The pinewood derby was tomorrow,
There was a frown on his face.
Just as his eyes closed, He heard something spin,
It was Scout Saint Nick, Coming to help him win!
As he peeked from under the covers,
Scout Saint Nick started to drill,
To help his car speed, On its way down the hill.
He splashed on some paint,
And stuck on some wheels,
He put the car on its stand,
And clicked his boot heels.
This woke the young scout, A happy Pinewood to all, And to all a good race!


A PINEWOOD DERBY READING

When I make my car, I hope that I can win.
Everything is ready, the weight & shine & spin.
The first race is the real test, to see how good it is.
My helper is happy too, you'd think the car is his!
Eventually I lose a race, and it is hard to take,
But my helper and I sure had fun,
A Pinewood Derby car to make!



PINEWOOD DERBY SONG
(Tune: Camptown Races)

Cub Scouts all join in the song, Do-da, do-dah!
Pine car track am mighty long, Oh, do-day-day!

Chorus:
Going to run so fast,
Going to get ahead,
Bet my money on a blue pine car,
Somebody bet on the red.

Black cars, blue cars, green and gray, Do-da, do-da!
Are running on the track today, Oh, do-da-day!

Chorus:
Going to run so fast,
Going to get ahead,
Bet my money on a blue pine car,
Somebody bet on the red.

Pine cars do have lots of class, Do-da, Do-dah!
Even though they don't use gas, Oh, do-da-day!

Chorus:
Going to run so fast,
Going to get ahead,
Bet my money on a blue pine car,
Somebody bet on the red.

They're the pride of all the Dens, Do-da, do-da!
Built by Cub Scouts and their friends, Oh, do-da-day!

Chorus:
Going to run so fast,
Going to get ahead,
Bet my money on a blue pine car,
Somebody bet on the red.



PACK YELLS
Do three times, starting out softly, and ending up really loud.

We're from Pack 37
Couldn't be prouder.
If you can't hear us,
We'll yell a little louder.

United we stand.
Divided we fall!
Pack 37
Is best of all!

Look out!
Here we come.
Pack 37
Is on the run!

North, South,
East or West,
Pack 37
Is the best!

Clap your hands!
Stomp your feet!
For Pack 37
Can't be beat!




The Big Race
(Audience Participation)
Narrator reads the following like a radio announcer with a lot of enthusiasm! The audience is divided into groups. As their assigned word is read in the story, they make the sound:

WHITE = Whiz!
RED = Zoom!
YELLOW = Zip!
BLUE = Ca-Chunk!

The cars are ready. The flag is up. The race is set to go. The flag goes down, The cars are off...

They're running toe to toe! The white _____ is ahead. The red _____ goes by. Here comes the yellow _____ now. Here comes another one - it's blue _____. Whew, it sounds bad, wow!! The last lap now. The red _____ is leading, The yellow _____ and white _____ close behind. I'm looking hard -- I see the blue _____. So far back, it's hard to find! The finish line is just ahead. That blue _____ is coming up fast, I can't tell why ... The crowds on its feet ... They're yelling - The white _____, the red _____, the yellow _____, the blue _____ ...
HAVE ALL FINISHED IN A TIE!!

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