Cub Scout Pack 1776
16Nov/20

January 23rd & 24th: Pinewood Derby Weekend

Saturday, January 23rd, 2021: 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Vehicle Inspection & Impound

Sunday, January 24th, 2021:   Noon to 3:00 p.m. Race Day!

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Sign up here.

Our Annual Pinewood Derby will be held on January 24th from noon to 3 PM ! Location is still to be determined in light of COVID meeting restrictions. In any event, the race will be broadcast via Zoom.

There will be racing and design competitions. We will once again have an open class for adults and siblings. Additional kits may be purchased for $5.50 via the pack payment portal. Wear your Class A uniform!

The mandatory inspection and car impounding is on January 23rd from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. at the Pack Shed near the Coyote Creek Kindergarten area. Face-coverings and social distancing is required.

Even though Pinewood Derby car is a team project for scouts and their adults, we encourage scouts to do as much of the car building as possible. For those new to scouting or just need a refresher course, here are some helpful websites.

If you need help cutting the wood block, you could take it to Ace Hardware. The store staff may charge each car $5. You can also use their equipment to sand, align the wheels, and fine-tune various details. 

Each car must pass inspection on January 23rd by the official inspection committee before it will be allowed to compete. Once a car passes inspection and is entered into the race, only the race committee members can touch it. If the car loses a wheel, or is otherwise damaged, the racer has 5 minutes to make repairs.

Rules will be emailed to you in a separate email and can be found Pack 1776 Pinewood Derby Official Rules.

  • On the day of the event, cars will race in multiple heats. 
  • They will have the opportunity to race on each of the 4 tracks.
  • Only their best time will be used.
  • All participants will receive a patch for participating.
  • Trophies will be awarded to the fastest three cars in each rank, and the overall fastest three cars in the Pack.
  • We will also give ribbons to 1) Best Paint Job, 2) Most Unique, 3) Most Patriotic, 4) Most Interesting Design, 5) Most Original, 6) Most Creative.

AGENDA:

  • Lion Heats (x4 for each Lion)
  • Tiger Heats (x4 for each Tiger)
  • Wolf Heats (x4 for each Wolf)
  • Bear Heats (x4 for each Bear)
  • Webelos I Heats (there will be more than one group given the size of the den) (x4 for each Webelos I)
  • Arrow of Light Heats (there will be more than one group given the size of the den)(x4 for each Arrow of Light )
  • Siblings Heats (x4 for each Sibling)
  • Best Overall Heats (x4 for each First place Den Winner)

According to the BSA's Cub Scout Leader How-To-Book, the GENERAL RULES are as follows:

All cars must pass the following inspection to qualify for the race:

  1. Width shall not exceed 2-3/4 inches.
  2. Length shall not exceed 7 inches.
  3. Weight shall not exceed 5 ounces.
  4. Axles, wheels, and body shall be from the materials provided in the kit. ONLY USE THE WHEELS IN THE KIT.
  5. Wheel bearings, washers, and bushings are prohibited.
  6. No lubricating oil may be used. Axles may be lubricated with powdered graphite or silicone.
  7. The car shall not ride on any kind of spring.
  8. The car must be free-wheeling with no starting devices.
  9. No loose materials of any kind are allowed in the car.

Here are the rules in more detail: Pack 1776 Pinewood Derby Official Rules