Cub Scout Pack 230 -- Pinewood Derby Helpful Hints and Official Rules

For some of you, this may be a new adventure (unless you made the cars when you were a kid in Cub Scouts!!) To help, try the link to this "free website" http://members.aol.com/randywoo/pine/; it has good advice and general information on the construction of Pinewood Derby cars.

Pack 230 will follow the rules enclosed in each kit, with the addition of a height limitation (due to our electronic finish line clearance):

Car Specifications:

Width - 2 ¾”

Length - 7" or less

Weight - not to exceed 5 ounces

Width between wheels – 1 ¾”

Bottom clearance between car and track - 3/8"

Height - 6" or less

Rules:

Wheel bearings, washers and bushings are prohibited. The car shall not ride on springs. Only official Cub Scout Grand Prix Pinewood Derby Wheels and axles are permitted. Only dry lubricant is permitted. Details, such as steering wheel and driver, are permissible as long as these details do not exceed the maximum length, width and weight specifications (noted above). The car must be freewheeling with no starting devices. Each car must pass inspection by the official Inspection Committee before it may compete. If, at registration, a car does not pass inspection, the owner will be informed of the reason for failure, and will be given time within the official weigh-in time period to make the adjustment. After final approval, cars will not be reinspected unless the car is damaged in handling or in a race.

Design Tips:

1. Have your son draw a design on paper, then cut it out and use it as a template. I use graph paper (with the little squares on it) to make it easier for him. Draw a side and top view on the paper by tracing around the block of wood.

2. The car will run better if kept a full seven inches long. It has to do with the physics of velocity and length of travel of the weights.

3. Use the full 2 ¾ inches (outside wheel to outside wheel) that the rules give you. This will allow the wheels to travel farther before hitting the center strip.

4. Leave a lot of wood in the back to put in weights as needed.

If you have any questions please call me at 202-543-4653.

Dave Massey, Pinewood Derby Coordinator