Cub Scout Grand Prix Pinewood Derby Rules and Regulations

Written by Ron Luke

Friday, 13 April 2007

These are the Rules and Regulations for the Cub Scout Grand Prix Pinewood Derby. These rules describe both the regulation derby as well as the open class derby.

REGULATION DERBY Length, Width & Clearance Maximum overall width (including wheels and axles) shall not exceed 2 3/4". Minimum width between wheels shall be 1 3/4" so that car will clear the center guide strip. Minimum clearance between bottom of car and track shall be 3/8" so car will clear the center guide strip. Maximum length shall not exceed 7". The wheel base (distance between front and rear axle) may be changed. Weight and Appearance Weight of car shall not exceed 5 ounces. The readings of the Official Race Scale will be considered final. The car may be hollowed out and built up to the maximum weight provided the "weight" is securely built into the body or firmly affixed to it. No loose materials of any kind are permitted in or on the car. Mercury shall not be used for adding weight. It is a potential health hazard. Details such as steering wheel, driver, spoilers, decals, painting and interior detail are permitted, as long as these details do not exceed maximum length, width or weight specifications. Cars with wet paint will not be accepted. Wheels and Axles Only the official Scout Grand Prix wheels and axles provided in the kit can be used. Wheel bearings, washers and bushings are not allowed. The car shall not ride on any kind of springs. The car must be freewheeling with no starting devices. Only dry powered lubricants, such as graphite, may be used. Regular oils and silicone sprays may soften the plastic wheels. Cars may be lubricated before inspection. No further lubrication will be permitted. Ground Rules Only currently registered Cub Scouts and Webelos may enter cars in the race. Each car must pass inspection by the Official Inspection Team before it may compete. The Inspection Team has the right to disqualify those cars that do not meet these rules. Car owners will be informed of the violations and given an opportunity to modify the car to meet these rules. Each car will be entered in the Derby bracket in the order of entry. This is a double elimination derby. After the car is accepted for the Derby, the car will be placed on the registration table and left there until called for its heat. After the heat, any car still in the competition will be returned to the registration table until its next heat. As each heat is announced the Starter will take the cars in the heat from the registration table and randomly assign each to a lane. All racers and spectators must remain in the spectator area. The Starter will make sure all cars are properly on the track and will start the race. Judges at the finish line determine the results and record them on the bracket. The car whose nose is over the finish line first according to the electronic measure is the winner. If a car leaves the track, runs out of its lane, interferes with the other car, or loses a part, the heat will be rerun if the car can be repaired quickly. If the same car jumps off the track or interferes with another car a second time, the car will automatically lose the heat. If, on the second run, another car is interfered with, the heat will be run a third time but without the disqualified car. If a car suffers a mechanical problem, loses an axle, breaks a wheel, etc., and a repair can be accomplished in a reasonable time, the heat will be run again. If not, the car will automatically lose the heat. Any participant (including the parent of the participant) has the right to appeal to the Race Director for an interpretation of these rules. The Race Director will be the final judge of these rules. Ungentlemanly or unsportsmanlike conduct by any participant or member of the audience will be grounds for expulsion from the competition and/or race area. OPEN DERBY The rules for the Regulation Derby apply with the following exceptions: Rule 4.a. does not apply. Anyone may enter a car in the race. Rules 3.a. and 3.b. do not apply.

Last Updated ( Thursday, 31 July 2008 )

 

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