2011 Pinewood Derby Information
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Scouts are expected to do most of the work to build their car.
Make sure you read the rules before starting.
In particular review the rules regarding lead (Pb) counter weights and wheels. Wheel customization is more restrictive than in previous years.
Make sure your clearance between the wheels and the bottom of the car is adequate.
2011 Car Clinic
If you need help building your car come to a Pinewood Derby car building clinic. More details will be published when they are ready.
New This Year ... Food Shelf Collection
Bring a can or box of food to contribute to the PROP food Shelf. We will collect it either Friday or Saturday. It will be delivered to PROP on Monday.
Friday Night January 21 7-9 PM
Scouts are encouraged to make some trial runs and check your car in. The track will close at 9 PM.
Saturday January 22 Race Day!!!!!
Car check in and testing continues starting at 8 AM
Racing starts at 9:30 AM
DON"T COME LATE!! Cars that have not been checked in and passed inspection prior to the start of the race will NOT be allowed to compete. Once racing starts we can't reset the computerized timers.
Awards and Trophies
All scout participants will receive a Pinewood Derby Patch.
Trophies will be awarded for 1st 2nd 3rd place for each Den. Because of it's size the Bear Den will be randomly divided into 2 sub-Dens designated Bear -A and Bear-B. Thus there will be 1st 2nd 3rd place trophies for
- Lions
- Tigers
- Wolves
- Bear-A
- Bear -B
- 1st Year Webelos
- 2nd Year Webelos
Once the main heats have been completed the top cars from each Den will compete in a second round of competition to determine the over-all Grand Champion, 2nd Place and Third Place for the entire Pack.
Design Guidelines and Hints
All cars must comply with BSA Northern Star Council Design Rules.
Lion Cubs (Kindergarten boys) and their families are encouraged to participate. All are welcome. There is no charge to attend.
Saturday Tentative Schedule (as of 12-3-2010)
7:30 AM Track Opens. Get your car weighed, inspected, and checked in
9:15 AM Webelos will Post the Colors
Welcome to visitors
Announcements and achievement awards
9:30 AM Racing Begins
Grand Champion Race
Awards
Tigers will retire the colors
Retrieve your car from the race officials with your ticket
Tear down and clean up
Event Instructions for Participants
This event will be held in the CHA Auditorium
When you come to the event start by getting your car weighed by the official scale and inspected. There will be a work tables with tools to make adjustments as needed. The track will be open for testing. When satisfied that your car is ready for action check in your car. Once checked in, no other adjustments or changes are allowed. Your car will be assigned a number. You will get a numbered ticket with the same number as your car. Following the race exchange your ticket for you car.
Pack 422 has a 4 lane, 32 foot track with computerized timing system. Results are displayed by a computer program onto a large screen.
All cars will initially race in random order.
Once the first round is finished we will have a second round to determine the Grand Champion for the entire Pack.
Boy Scouts will assist with the race, bringing cars to the track and returning them to the display table. Once checked in, scouts are not allowed to touch their cars until the race is finished.
Getting Help Building Your Car
Scouts are expected to do most of the work in building their car. Due to safety issues younger scouts will naturally need help cutting the wood. This activity is designed to promote parent-scout quality time. It takes an average scout 2-3 weeks to build a quality car. Plan ahead and schedule some time to complete your project. Don't try to do it all in one night. Christmas vacation is good time to work on your car.
Movie Fun
The Northern Star Council will loan a copy of "Down And Derby" to Dens or Packs interested in seeing it. The movie is a comic spoof on a fictional Pack and how the boys fathers get carried away.