Once again, it’s Pinewood Derby Season!  For many scouts this event is the highlight of the year!  Once again Pack 929 is hosting Build nights this week Jan 6-8, and Race checkin will be on Jan 22nd (Thursday Night).  Please see the sidebar for days and times of all important dates. 

Please see the pack official rules on the 2nd page, and remember, fun is the most important ingredient in the mix.  Scouts must participate in building their cars to the extent of ability. Parents are permitted to help, and should with power tools and advice, but let the kids take the lead where they can.  Even  Tigers and  Wolves can design, paint, help polish nails, and be around to watch and learn how to use power tools.  By Webelos, Scouts should be doing most work under adult supervision.  Remember, Scouts get out what they put in, not what parents put in!  An all-parent-built car has little meaning for a Scout.

Cars must be checked in on Thursday Jan 22nd - race day checkins are reserved for emergency use only as this delays the proceedings.  At checkin the Pack will check for conformance with the rules (see next page) and then hold onto cars until race day.  All cars will be given back to the Scout or family member after the race has completed.

The top three times in each Den will have the opportunity to advance to the District race.

Pack 929 Official Rules

1. Award categories in our Pack include design, speed, and the big one, Scout-spirit (given to cars that show the most Scout input in design and building).  We also have a family division for parents, brothers, sisters, and friends not in the Pack. 
   

2. Cars cannot exceed 5.0 ounces (measured on the Pack scale).  The Race committee recommends cars weigh at least 4.8 ounces to be competitive. 
   

3. Cars cannot exceed the length of the block of wood provided.  Do not increase the width of your car beyond the wheels.  Cars should be no higher than a half-inch over the top of the original block of wood.  Up to an eight of an inch may be allowed on the back if it is primarily decorative and is deemed by the Race Committee to not give a competitive advantage.  If you exceed other dimensions, you can race, but only if you clear the timer and do not interfere with other cars.
   

4. Four regulation wheels must be used with the original kit nails. (Yes, you can lift one wheel up a bit if you prefer.) Nail shafts must be visible and placed in original nail slots on the wood.  Distance between nail slots may not be altered.
   

5. Nails may be sanded and polished to removed burs, but the nail heads may not be reduced in size in the process.  Polishing nails is as important to speed as weight. 
   

6. Wheel shape may not be altered in any manner or on any part of the wheel.  You can remove plastic flashing, but do not cut, sand or reshape the tread or base.  The District makes you remove altered wheels, so we do too.
   

7. Graphite only for lubrication, and only on the axles and wheels.  No wet lubs. 
   

8. It is impossible to write down every rule and silly to write down others (like no engines or rubberband propellers).  If you think you have thought up something original or found something on the web that gives you a big advantage, it is better to ask first.  It might not be legal.  The one rule we will always enforce is that we will preserve the spirit of the race. 
   

9. We permit cars to be repaired during racing if time permits, but no other alternation or lubrication after check in.  (We give every car a shot of graphite at check in on request.) 
   

10. The race will be run in six heats of up to six cars each. Each car will run once in each lane. The fastest car will be determined based on the fastest average time as determined by the computer.  We reserve the right to throw out and/or rerun heats if the results appear inaccurate in the judgment of the committee.  That can and sometimes does impact finish speed and order of finish.  
    

11. This is a fun race.  We encourage good sportsmanship.  That starts with parents and older scouts being role models.  Cheering for every race and every car is encouraged.  Booing is not.
    

12. All interpretations, reruns, or changes to the event or the rules made by the Race Committee are final and not open to debate.  If you think we have missed something major during the race that has impacted the results, please let a race official know privately between rounds.  We will address the issue if we can.  
    

13. Scouts must participate in building their cars to the extent of ability. Parents are permitted to help, and should with power tools and advice, but let the kids take the lead where they can.  Even Tigers and  Wolves can design, paint, help polish nails, and be around to watch and learn how to use power tools.  By Webelos, Scouts should be doing most work under adult supervision.  Remember, Scouts get out what they put in, not what parents put in!  An all-parent-built car has little meaning for a Scout.