What is the Pinewood Derby(PWD)?

HISTORY

The first Cub Scouts to participate in a pinewood derby were from Cub Scout Pack 280c of Manhattan Beach, Calif. The event was originated by Cubmaster, Donald Murphy, and was first run in the Manhattan Beach Clubhouse on May 15, 1953. The event was later publicized in the October, 1954 issue of Boys' Life.

Since then, an estimated 40 million Scouts have participated in races. Millions more-parents, den leaders, Cubmasters, committee members-have been involved in various ways.

The rules of the very first race stated: The derby is run in heats-two to four cars starting by gravity from a standstill on a track and run down a ramp to a finish line unaided. The track is an inclined ramp with wood strips down the center to guide the cars.

Forty-eight years later, we still run that way.

A WORD OF CAUTION...

In recent years, Cub Scouts have begun to take criticism for the amount of time, money and effort parents put in to their son's car. In fact, last year, a Wall Street Journal writer featured an article on the Associated Press wire.

It's often difficult to determine how much effort our sons need of us. For most, younger children need more assistance than older ones. However, please be careful not to take on the car as your own. If you feel the need for speed :), certainly enter a car of your own design and construction. It's difficult to watch boys who built their cars lose to adults.

PACK 229 OFFICIAL RULES

Competition

FIELD - The field will consist of 3 divisions
- SCOUT: Open to all scouts with conforming vehicles.
- PARENT: Open to all adults.
- OPEN: Open to all siblings, friends, and Scouts with non-conforming vehicles(Open rules still apply).
ENTRIES - In the SCOUT Division, each contestant may enter only 1 vehicle. In the PARENT and OPEN divisions, multiple vehicles may be entered.
INSPECTION. Prior to the start of the competition, vehicles will be weighed on the Official Race Scales and inspected to verify conformity to these Rules. Contestants may modify their vehicles during this time to comply with these Rules.
SUBMISSION - Once a vehicle passes inspection, it will be declared “submitted”. From this point onward the vehicle will be under control of the Race Committee and shall not be handled by the contestant except as specified in the REPAIR rule.
REPAIR - Should a vehicle become damaged during the course of the competition, the contestant shall have exactly 5 minutes to affect repairs and re-submit the vehicle to the Race Committee. If the vehicle is not re-submitted before the 5-minute deadline is reached, it will be disqualified.
RACE COMMITTEE - The Race Committee will consist of the Cubmaster and his designees. All decisions of the committee are final.

Construction

This is a complete listing of ALL rules. Any design characteristic not specifically excluded is permitted.

Scout & Parent Divisions:

KIT - The vehicle shall be constructed of components included in the standard BSA Pinewood Derby Kit. The axles, wheels and wood block from the kit, MUST be used. You may not use pre-cut and pre-built cars.
ORIGINAL - Cars used in previous derbies may not be entered. All entries must be built for the current year's race.
WHEELS - The wheels shall be standard BSA Pinewood Derby Kit and may not be modified other than sanding to remove molding seams or truing of the wheel. No other sanding or shaping of the wheels is permitted.
SINGLE UNIT - All pieces must be attached to and stay with the vehicle during the race.
DIMENSIONS
- WIDTH - Vehicle shall not exceed 2 3/4 inches in width. The car body must be at least 1 3/4 inches wide at the axles.
- LENGTH - Vehicle shall not exceed 7 inches in length.
WEIGHT - Vehicle shall not exceed 5 ounces in weight. The weight shown on the Official Race Scales is final.
CLEARANCE - It must clear the ground by at least 3/8 inch. The wooden block in the vehicle kit has grooves to indicate the placement of the axles. The axles may be relocated as desired so long as the WIDTH and CLEARANCE specifications are met.
AXLES - Individual axles for each wheel are required. Two-wheel axles are commonly found in non-BSA kits. Two-wheel or double-axles are NOT permitted.
LUBRICATION - The only lubricant permitted is dry powdered graphite.
SURFACE - The surface of the vehicle must be dry (no wet paint).

Open Division:

KIT - You may use pre-cut bodies and non-BSA kits.
ORIGINAL - Cars used in previous derbies may not be entered. All entries must be built for the current year's race.
WHEELS - You may use non-BSA wheels.
SINGLE UNIT - All pieces must be attached to and stay with the vehicle during the race.
DIMENSIONS
- WIDTH - Vehicle shall not exceed 2 3/4 inches in width. The car body must be at least 1 3/4 inches wide at the axles.
- LENGTH - Vehicle shall not exceed 7 inches in length.
WEIGHT - Vehicle shall not exceed 5 ounces in weight. The weight shown on the Official Race Scales is final.
CLEARANCE - It must clear the ground by at least 3/8 inch. The wooden block in the vehicle kit has grooves to indicate the placement of the axles. The axles may be relocated as desired so long as the WIDTH and CLEARANCE specifications are met.
AXLES - You may use non-BSA axles.
LUBRICATION - The only lubricant permitted is dry powdered graphite.
SURFACE - The surface of the vehicle must be dry (no wet paint).