Saturday, January 19, 2008

Each year, millions of Cub Scouts and their parents (or other adult) participate in the Pinewood Derby. The race teaches boys about competition, the excitement of participation and “the agony of defeat!”

The primary purpose of the derby is to bring the boy and parent together in a creative and meaningful activity – building the car. The boy/parent team share in carving, decorating, weighing and adjusting of the derby car. This is a special time of bonding for the team. Your boy will have fond memories of using saws, sandpaper, knives and drills, all with his team partner!

A negative aspect of the derby can be an intensely competitive parent or team partner. This person goes “all-out” to win, possibly taking over the building of the car themselves, without concern for the feelings or input of the scout. Please remember that this is a scout project. Supervise your son, help him, but let him do as much of the construction as possible. Let him feel this is his project, not yours!

As with any race, there are rules and guidelines that must be followed. These rules help equalize the competition and give each boy a chance to win. The rules and car specifications are attached. Please read them carefully!

We will have a “Derby Fun Night” on the Friday before the big race on Saturday. This will give the boys an opportunity to test, weigh and make needed changes to their cars before the big day, and be a time of great excitement for the whole family. A spaghetti dinner and salad, plus dessert will be offered for $5.00 for adults and $2.00 for child/scouts. It is necessary that you purchase meal tickets for your family no later than the January 14, 2008 pack meeting. We need an accurate head count for the food preparation.

PACK DERBY FUN NIGHT

• Location: VFW on Hwy 190 in Covington
• Date: Friday, January 18, 2008
• Time: 6:00 PM…Come hungry!
• NOTE: Meal tickets will be sold at the January pack meeting!

• Location: VFW on Hwy 190 in Covington
• Date: Saturday, January 19, 2008
• Time: Registration, Inspection and Weigh-In will be from 9:00 – 10:00 AM. The daily events will start promptly at 10:15 AM, late entries WILL NOT be able to race.

• 1. The race is open to all Tiger Cubs, Cub Scouts and Webelo Scouts that are registered in Pack 221.
• 2. Only scouts that have attended at least 50% of all den and pack meetings will be allowed to race in the derby. Den leaders will provide the Cubmaster with a roster of eligible participants the week of the race.
• 3. Each car must pass inspection the morning of the race. If a car is in violation, the boy will be informed and may modify the car to meet the rules if there is sufficient time before the 10:00AM deadline. It is advised to arrive by 9:00 AM.
• 4. All cars will remain in an impound area after passing Inspection. They will not be touched during this time except by the car owner to bring the car to the starting official.
• 5. Only race officials and Scouts will be permitted in the track area. No one may step or cross over the track.

• 1. The race will be run on a posted visible bracket and will be double elimination. The boys will know where they stand at all times just by finding their number on the bracket.
• 2. If a car jumps the track, the heat will be run again. If the same car jumps the track a second time, it will automatically lose the heat.
• 3. If a car leaves its lane and interferes with another car, the heat will be run again. If the same car leaves its lane, the heat will be run again without the interfering car, which will automatically lose the heat.
• 4. If a car suffers a mechanical problem, (loses axle, breaks a wheel, etc.) and a repair can be made in a reasonable amount of time, the heat will be run again. If not, the car will automatically lose the heat. The judges will determine the amount of time that is reasonable for repair.
• 5. Un-Scout-like or unsportmanlike conduct by an participant or spectator will be grounds for expulsion from the competition and/or race area.
• 6. Any participant, including parents will have the right to appeal to the race committee for an interpretation of these rules. The race committee, by majority vote will be the final judge of these rules. In case of a tie vote, the decision of the race committee chairperson will be final.