KENNEBEC VALLEY DISTRICT
ANNUAL
PINEWOOD DERBY

APRIL 3, 2004
Winslow Elementary School
Registration: 8:30am, Race starts 10am

 

1. The race is open to all Tiger Scouts, Cub Scouts and Webelos Scouts (1^st year, 2^nd year or just graduated to Boy Scouts) registered in a Pack of Kennebec Valley District, B.S.A. The scouts will be referred to as "drivers' in these rules. Parents or designated guardians of the scouts will be referred to as the "pit crew" in these rules.
    
   
2. All cars competing in the 2002 Kennebec Valley District Pinewood Derby must have been made for a 2002 Pack Pinewood Derby. Cars made for any previous year pinewood derby are not acceptable.
    
   
3. Pinewood derby race cars will be built from an official Grand Prix Pinewood Derby Kit. This kit includes the pinewood block, axles, and wheels necessary to build car. The purchase of machined wheels and polished axles from other suppliers is specifically prohibited.
    
   
4. Decorative items such as steering wheels, drivers, spoilers, decals and interior details are permissible as long as the finished car meets the Pine Tree Council Pinewood Derby rules and specifications. Drivers are encouraged not to promote the use of alcoholic beverages or tobacco products when decorating their racecars.
    
   
5. Any driver (including a member of the pit crew) has the right to appeal to the race officials for an interpretation of these rules. The race officials, by majority vote, will be the final interpreters of these rules. However, an interpretation of the rules at the pack or district level does not necessarily ensure a similar interpretation at the council level. All rulings by the race officials at each level of competition will be considered final.
    
   
6. Thirty drivers from Kennebec Valley District will be eligible to compete at the Pine Tree Council Pinewood Derby.
    
   
7. There shall be NO proxy drivers, If for any reason the scout can not race neither can the car.

   KENNEBEC VALLEY DISTRICT RULE - The breakdown of these thirty drivers is as follows:

   
    
   
   • The top twenty five finishers from the District Pinewood Derby.
      
     
   • Five "Wildcard" drivers from the District Pinewood Derby. These wild card drivers will be picked using a random choice method.

   District race officials will not maintain custody of the thirty district racecars eligible to compete at the council level. Drivers are responsible for their own cars after the district race.

   CONSTRUCTION SPECIFICATIONS

   
    
   
8. Dimensions:
   
    
   
   1. The minimum width between wheels shall be 1 3/4 inches.
       
      
   2. The maximum overall width of the car including wheels and axles must not exceed 2 3/4 inches.
      
       
      
   3. Minimum clearance between the bottom of the car and the bottom of the wheels shall be 3/8 inch.
      
       
      
   4. The maximum length of the car shall not exceed 7 inches.
      
       
      
   5. The maximum height of the car shall not exceed 3-1/4 inches from the bottom of the wheels.
      
       
      
   6. The pre-cut axle locations in the official pinewood car block must be used. These pre-cut locations provide a nominal wheelbase of 4 1/2 inches.
   
    
   
9. Weight
   
    
   
   1. The weight of the car shall not exceed 5 ounces (141.7 grams).
      
       
      
   2. The car may be hollowed out and built up to the maximum weight by the addition of wood or metal only, provided it is securely built into the body or firmly affixed to it.
      
       
      
   3. No loose materials of any kind such as lead shot are permitted in or on the car.
      
       
      
   4. If tape (masking, scotch, etc.) is used to hold weights, it must be tightly attached to the car. Using tape to secure weight is not recommended.
      
       
      
   5. It is recommended that weights on the bottom of the car be inset so they are flush with the bottom of the wood block.
   
    
   
10. Wheels and Axles
    
     
    
    1. Only Official Cub Scout Pinewood Derby wheels, with the official B.S.A. stamp on the inside of the wheel, can be used.
        
       
    2. Only Official Cub Scout Pinewood Derby axles can be used.
        
       
    3. Axles may be polished.
        
       
    4. Solid axles are strictly prohibited.
        
       
    5. Wheel bearings, washers, or bushings are prohibited.
        
       
    6. The car shall not ride on any type of springs.
        
       
    7. Wheels may be lightly sanded to remove blemishes from the flat tread surface and to true the roundness of the wheel. Molding flash from the wheel hub may also be removed by light sanding. These are the only wheel modifications allowed. Extensive removal of wheel material (i.e. below the
       molded sidewall tread pattern on the wheel) is specifically prohibited. Extensive beveling or tapering of the wheels is prohibited. A minimum of 1/4 inch of flat tread surface is required. Removal of material from the inside diameter of the wheel or on the backside of the wheel face is prohibited. Examples of acceptable and unacceptable wheels are available from the Pack or Kennebec Valley District Race Officials.
        
       
    8. Wheel covers and hubcap type covers are not allowed.
    
     
    
11. Lubrication
    
     
    
    1. Only graphite lubricant may be used. Regular oils and silicon sprays soften the plastic wheels.
       
        
       
    2. Cars may be lubricated before inspection/registration. No other lubrication will be permitted.
    
     
    
12. Miscellaneous
    Cars must be freewheeling with no starting device or other propulsion.
    No part of the racecar can protrude past the starting post.
    
     
    INSPECTION
     
    
13. Each car must pass inspection by the Pack or District inspection team at each event before it may compete. Each inspection team has the right to disqualify any car that does not meet the rules and specifications. Drivers will be informed of any violations and will be given an opportunity to fix the specified violations.
     
    
14. The Pack and District inspection teams will weigh all cars at registration. The readings of the Official Race Scale at each event will be considered final. It is possible scale measurements will differ between the Pack and Kennebec Valley District Pinewood Derbies. Race car drivers and their pit crews must be prepared to adjust weight to meet the readings of the Official Race Scale at each level of competition.
     
    
15. Cars can be re-inspected at any time. If the car does not meet the rules and specifications, it must be brought into compliance before its next race or it will be disqualified. A minimum of five minutes will be allowed for a driver (or his pit crew) to bring his car into compliance if a problem is found during a race.
     
    
16. Once cars have been registered, weighed, and inspected, they will remain in the custody of the Pack or Kennebec Valley District race officials until the end of the competition.
     
    
17. 2002 Pinewood Derby Cars with wet paint or glue will not be accepted for inspection.
     
    RACE TRACK
     
    
18. Only drivers racing in or staging for a race, race officials, or members of the track team will be permitted in the track area. Other people may be allowed in the track area when specifically approved by the race officials.
     
    
19. Each driver shall handle only his own car. A driver may be disqualified if he touches or handles another driver's car.
     
    
20. Each race will be announced and drivers will be called to the track area.
     
    
21. Drivers will choose or be assigned lanes by a random choice method.
     
    
22. Drivers will report to the starting line when the starter tells them to and will place their cars on the appropriate lane.
     
    
23. The starter will ensure all cars are on the track lanes property. Cars may be re-adjusted for proper placement at the direction of the starter. Cars may not protrude beyond the starting post.
     
    
24. If a car leaves the track, runs out of its lane, interferes with another car, loses an axle, etc., the race will be rerun. If the same car gets into trouble on the second run, the car automatically loses the race. The Pack or Kennebec Valley District race officials will decide, by majority vote, if a car can continue to race after it has these types of problems in two consecutive runs.
     
    
25. If a car suffers a mechanical problem during a race (loses an axle, breaks a wheel, etc.), the driver or his pit crew will have up to five minutes to fix the car. The driver will then be allowed to race his car. If repairs cannot be made in this time frame, the car will be disqualified.
     
    
26. If a car suffers a mechanical problem after a race, the driver or his pit crew will have five minutes or until the next race to fix the car. if repairs cannot be made in this time frame, the car will be disqualified.
     
    
27. KENNEBEC VALLEY DISTRICT RULE - The results of a race (i.e. first, second, third or fourth place) will normally be determined by an official electronic finish line. This will be supervised by at least one member of the track team. In the event of a failure or the absence of an electronic finish line, the Pack or Kennebec Valley District race officials will prescribe the method for determining results of a race.

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