2015 LaSalle Council Pinewood Derby Car Construction

2015 LaSalle Council Pinewood Derby
Car Construction Specifications
I. Material and Size
1. Only the wheels, axles and car body that come with the Official Pinewood Derby Kit (#17006) or the
Official Replacement Axles/Wheels (#170064) can be used on the car (the new Official BSA colored
wheels are an acceptable substitute).
2. Cars must have been constructed within the last six months by the scout presenting the car to race
officials.
3. No loose or flexible materials of any kind are permitted in or on the car. The car may be hollowed out
and built up to the maximum weight by the addition of wood, metal, or similar materials provided it is
securely built into the body or chassis.
4. Length and Width – 7-1/4" long by 2-3/4" wide.
5. Clearances - The car must be less than 3" in height and must roll freely without binding while
straddling a strip of width 1-3/4" and height 3/8" when rolled on a level plane surface.
6. Wheelbase may not be modified.
7. The car nose must have a flat portion at least ½" long in the center where it contacts the starting pin.
The lowest point of the front end may not be any higher than 1/4” above the axle line in order to
correctly contact the starting pin.
II. Weight and Appearance
1. Weight of total car shall not exceed 5.0 ounces or 141.747 grams as read on the official race scale.
The readings of the official race scale will be considered final.
2. Detail such as steering wheel, driver, decals, and painting is permissible on the car body as long as
this detail is rigid and does not cause the car to exceed the official maximum weight.
3. Car must be complete and ready to race when presented to the inspection team. Wet paint or glue is
not allowed. Once car has passed inspection, it will be placed in “quarantine” at which point no further
modifications are allowed.
III. Wheels and Axles
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Only official BSA wheels and axles may be used.
Wheel bearings, spacers, or bushings are prohibited.
The car shall not ride on springs nor have any propulsive force other than gravity.
The tread surface of the wheels may NOT be modified. All BSA markings must be present and
undisturbed on both the outside and inside of all 4 wheels.
5. The inside of the axle nail head and adjacent shaft may be smoothed to remove burrs. The diameter
of the axle may not be reduced to less than 0.085" at any point where the wheel bore could touch the
axle.
6. All four axles must be parallel to the racing surface.
7. All four wheels must be in contact with the track.
IV. Lubrication
1. Solid powders or flakes (e.g., graphite or Teflon may be used but only if absolutely no excess is
visible.
2. Self-lubricating wheel assemblies are prohibited.
3. All lubrication is to be done away from racetrack and inspection areas in the designated workshop or
race preparation areas only.
Car Specification Clarification Notes
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I-1. This rule is to discourage the practice of purchasing precut wood bodies, ready-to-race cars,
and cars that have been raced previously and to discourage machined metal or plastic body
chassis.
I-2. Secure means the body is able to withstand dropping from 4 ft.
I-3. Some kit body blocks may slightly exceed 7" by 2 ¾”
I-4. The car height must clear under an overhead finish timer. The 1-3/4" x 3/8" strip test ensures
car will clear the track center guide strip.
I-5. There are several problems with restricting builder to just slot positions. Wheel camber is not
guaranteed horizontal, and the slot separation can vary up to ½" in different kits. Using 2 taped
wheels as a drill guide allows easy hand drilling of true 0.086" holes.
I-6. A flat nose is required for fair starting and finish line sensing. The minimum contact height
requirement is meant to provide a consistent contact point and friction point between competing
cars.
II-1. 5.0 ounces is equal to 141.747 grams. Cars weighing either 5.001 oz or 141.748 grams or
over will not pass inspection.
II-2. Banners, flags, or string type detail for example may interfere with cars in adjacent lanes.
III-3. Once the car passes inspection, no modifications are allowed.
III-1. This rule is to encourage consistency. Use of other types of wheels would clearly be unfair.
III-4. The BSA wheels may be inspected if necessary with a metal template to ensure they are not
violating these specifications.
III-5. The BSA axles may be inspected with a metal template if necessary to ensure they are not
violating this specification. This rule is to discourage the practice of cutting grooves in the axle.
Inspection Procedure
All cars will be inspected to verify all construction criteria have been met. After cars have passed
inspection, they will be placed in "quarantine" until it is time for it to be raced. Some rules are intended to
avoid damage to the track and timing equipment and to make sure the car will go down the track and thus
may be waived at the sole discretion of the inspection team and race committee.
1. The scout and one member of their construction team will present the car for inspection.
2. The scout will be asked how they were involved in the construction of the car.
3. The scout will be asked when the car was constructed.
4. The car will be placed on the official race scale to verify weight specifications have been followed.
The readings of the official race scale will be considered final.
5. The car will be examined to verify there are no loose items, wet paint, or excessive lubrication.
6. The car wheels will be examined to verify specifications have been followed.
7. The car will be placed and rolled on a flat surface to verify four wheel contact.
8. The car will be placed, front end first, in an inspection box to verify car dimensions and clearances.
9. Once car specifications have been verified, the scout will again be asked which end of the car is the
front, and a car number and inspection sticker will be placed on the front of the car.
10. Once the car has passed inspection, it will be placed in the race staging area until it is called forward
for racing.
Note: A pit area will be set up for the modification, lubrication, or repair of cars.
INSPECTION AND DISPUTES:
1. Each car must pass inspection by the Race Committee before it may compete. The inspection team
has the right to disqualify those cars which do not meet the provided specifications. The car owner will
be informed of any violations and given an opportunity to modify the car to bring it into compliance
prior to the end of the specified inspection period. Once the car has passed inspection, only race
officials or the car owner are to move it.
2. Any participant (including the parent or sponsor of the participant) may appeal to the Race Committee
for an interpretation of the rules prior to the start of the race.
3. In the event of an issue not covered specifically by these rules, the Race Committee will convene and
make a ruling.
4. Decisions of the Race Committee will be considered final.
2015 LaSalle Council Pinewood Derby Race Rules:
1. Potawatomi District Pinewood Derby is open to scouts registered in LaSalle Council for 2015 and
who have been selected to represent their pack (up to three representatives are allowed per
pack). Second year Webelos who have bridged to Boy Scouts in 2015 are eligible providing all
other criteria are met.
2. The car entered at the District Pinewood derby is to be the same car that was raced at the pack
level.
3. Scouts must drive their own cars. Substitute drivers will not be allowed.
4. Format of the race will be determined by the Race Committee (double elimination or some form of
timed electronic format).
5. If a car jumps off track, or leaves its lane, the heat will be run again. If the same car jumps off the
track or leaves its lane a second time, it will automatically lose the heat if the race format is double
elimination or, if the format is timed, its time will be 9.9 seconds (timed out).
6. If a car suffers a mechanical problem, i.e. loses an axle, breaks a wheel, etc., and a repair can be
accomplished within five (5) minutes, the heat will be run again upon completion of the repair if the
event is double elimination. If the repairs cannot be accomplished within this time, the car will
automatically lose the heat. If a timed race format is utilized, the heat will be rescheduled to the
end of the race. If the car has not been repaired by that time, its time will be input as 9.9 seconds
(timed out). Note: A parent or sponsor may accompany the scout to the pit area to make the
needed repairs. The car will then be re-inspected before reentering the race. Additional lubrication
may be applied only if a wheel or axle has been damaged and repaired or replaced.
7. There will be a judge(s) at the finish line to serve as a back up to the electronic timing system.
The judge's decision will be considered final.
8. Only race officials and others authorized by the Race Committee will be allowed into the
staging and track area. This rule will be strictly enforced.
9. UNGENTLEMANLY OR UNSPORTMANLIKE CONDUCT BY ANY PARTICIPANT OR MEMBER
OF THE AUDIENCE WILL BE GROUNDS FOR EXPULSION F'ROM THE COMPETITION
AND/OR THE RACE AREA.
IN CONCLUSION
"I wanted to devise a wholesome, constructive activity that would foster a closer father-son
relationship and promote craftsmanship and good sportsmanship through competition."
Don Murphy, Cub Master of Cub Scout Pack 280C Founder of the Pinewood Derby 1953.
The purpose of the Pinewood Derby is for our scouts to learn, have fun, and to spend quality time
with the adult helping them construct their car. The scout should perform as much of the design
and construction of the car as their skills allow. The scout should observe all steps in the project
that he does not do himself in order to learn more about the construction of the car. Please
observe this spirit when helping your scout construct their car. The purpose of these rules is to
make sure that no one gains an unfair advantage and everyone has access to the same materials
and tools used for the construction of their cars. The primary objective of the race is to instill in the
scout the value of competition for enjoyment.
Winning is not everything, but participation is!