Date & Time: March 01, 2013  6:30PM Registration; Race at 7:00PM

Location:        Naquag Elementary School Rutland, MA

Rules:

Eligibility of Contestants and Cars

• The race is open to all Pack 141 Cub and Webelos Scouts (Tiger, Wolf, Bear, Webelos 1^st Year, Webelos 2^nd Year).  In case of illness or a valid conflict, an absent scout’s car may still be raced with a suitable substitute for the scout.  Cars will only be accepted until the first age specific race begins.  Late arrivals will not be accommodated.
• A separate Miscellaneous Race for non-scout participants will be held without any age limitations.
• NOTE: For the Misc race only, there are no restrictions on the car construction, except it must not have any form of self propulsion.  Also, there is a 3” max height restriction.
• Cars in the age specific races must be built from the wooden block in the official Grand Prix Pinewood Derby kit.  Scouts may race one car, in their age group only.  Car must be new and made this year following the rules in the kit.
• Vehicles must fit in the standard measuring box, which is about 2.75” by 7.125”.
• No assisted propulsion, such as wind up motors, rocket engines or electric motors allowed.

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 car will clear the center guide strip.
• Minimum clearance between the bottom of the car and track shall be 3/8″ so the car will clear the center guide strip.
• Maximum Height from bottom of wheels to top of car:  3”
• Maximum length (including wheels) shall not exceed 7-1/8″.
• The wheelbase (distance between the front and rear axles, center to center) may not be changed from the kit body distance of 4-3/8″ ±0.4″.

Wheels and Axles

• Only the wheels and axles from the official Grand Prix Pinewood Derby kit may be used.
• Axles may be lightly filed, sanded and polished. This light filing, sanding and polishing is the only axle modification allowed.
• Wheels may be lightly sanded and polished. This light sanding and polishing is the only wheel modification allowed.

Weight and Appearance

• Weight shall not exceed 5 ounces. The readings of the Official Race Scale will be considered final.
• The car may be carved, sculpted, and/or sanded in order to enhance performance and/or appearance.
• No loose materials of any kind are permitted on or inside the car.
• Additional materials may be added to the car for the following purposes only:

1. Weights may be added to increase the weight and/or alter the weight distribution of a car.
2. Paints/decals/decorations may be added to alter the appearance and/or aerodynamics of a car.
3. Glue may be used to adhere the axles to the car body.
4. Wood putty, or a similar wood-like substance, may be used to repair minor damage to a car.

Lubrication

• Only dry powdered lubricants, such as graphite or white powder Pinewood Derby Car Lubricant, may be used. Oils and silicone sprays are prohibited.
• A car may be lubricated before inspection only.  No further lubrication may be added after the car is weighed and logged in.

Ground Rules

• If a car jumps off the track, the heat will be run again. If the same car jumps off the track a second time, it will automatically lose the heat.
• If a car leaves its lane and interferes with another car, the heat will be run again. If the same car leaves its lane a second time and interferes with another car, the heat will be run again without the interfering car. The interfering car will automatically lose the heat.
• If a car suffers a mechanical problem and a repair can be accomplished within 5 minutes, the heat will be run again. If not, the car will automatically lose the heat.

Car Prep and Weigh-In

• There will be both pre-weight and final weight stations on race day.   The pre-weight area is for minor adjustments and shall have a scale and drill only.  Weight may be removed, but there will be no materials to add weight to cars at the pre-weight area.
• There will be no adjustments allowed at the final weigh-in station.
• There will be one area for adding graphite.  This may be done only under adult supervision.
• The area where the cars are staged is off limits to participants and members of the audience until all races have been completed.

Inspections and Disputes

• 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 the rules. Car owners will be informed of the violations and given an opportunity to modify the car to meet these rules if possible.  Disqualified cars may be raced in the Miscellaneous Race.
• Ungentlemanly or unsportsmanlike conduct by any participant or member of the audience will be grounds for expulsion from the competition and/or race area.

Awards

• Participant awards will be presented to all scout participants
• Participant ribbons will be presented to all non-scout participants
• Placement Trophies will be presented to the 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd place cars

in each of the following two  groups:

• Tiger, Wolf
• Bear, Webelos

Trophies will also be awarded for:

• Most Creative
• Scouts Choice (voted on by scouts)
• Good Sport