derby 2007

PURPOSE OF EVENT

The primary goal of the Pinewood Derby is to use an enjoyable activity to provide an opportunity for fathers to spend quality time with their children.

The racer is to be built and designed in the true Indian Princess tradition – a Father/child project. It should be a home project on either an individual or circle basis.

Dad should encourage the child to build as much of the racer as she/he is capable of doing. This pertains to both construction and decorating. The intent of this event is to be a race for the kids and not a contest for the Dad's. This project should be undertaken with good conscience and a true dedication towards fair, competitive and exciting event for participating children and parents.

THE RACER

The Chandler Y-Guide/Princess Nation Council will supply the official car kit. It is the "PINECAR BASIC CAR KIT" and includes a wood block, wheels, axles and complete instructions. No other cars will be permitted to participate in the event.

TROPHIES

Trophies will be awarded for 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd, and 4^th place winners in each circle. We will also award Participant Trophies for all other Princesses within the circle. Event patches and/or participation ribbons and certificates will be given to every racer. Every participant will receive some type of award and recognition for their hard work at building, completing and racing the car. There are no awards based on appearance to encourage all decorating are done by the children.

PINEWOOD DERBY RACING RULES

GENERAL

The Nation Council allows each child only one entry and it must be the official "PINECAR BASIC RACING CAR KIT" supplied. No child may race the same car of another child. Only cars made specifically for this derby will be permitted to race. No cars from previous Pinewood Derby are allowed.

CONSTRUCTING THE CAR

The Father should do shaping the car because it involves the use of potentially hazardous tools. Don’t forget that the child should still be present.

Sanding should be the child’s task. He may not stick with this step very long but the Father can supervise how much should be done and what the end result should look like.

Painting is the child’s task. The Father must be sure the child is in an environment in which he can not do much damage to other objects.

The Father will need to add weight in most cases for two reasons. First, the child is probably not developmentally ready to be computing in fractions and decimals of ounces. Second, many weights require the use of small screws and screwdrivers that children may not have the strength and coordination to use safely.

The parent should attach the axles because it may require the use of a hammer and is generally recommended that the axles should be straight. Helpful hint: It may be necessary to shave down the width of the car so the wheels don’t rub the body of the car when mounted on the axles. If the wheels don’t turn freely, the car won’t run well.

Customizing the appearance of the car should be the child’s task which might include special painting, striping, decals or attachments, so long as it still meet the specification requirements

The task of weighing-in the day of the race is for both Father and child. It may offer a fine problem solving experience for the child if the car is under or over weight limits.

CAR SPECIFICATIONS

Weight shall not exceed 5.0 ounces (142 grams) and all cars will be weighed before the races begin on the official scale by a race official. The car may be hollowed out and built up to the maximum weight by the addition of wood or metal, provided it is securely built into or affixed onto the car body. Metal weights may be purchased from any hobby store, Michaels or CraftMart (look in their hobby section for a Pinewood Derby display). The best source for pre-race weighing is the scale available at the local US Post Office.

No loose materials of any kind are permitted in or on the car. Details such as steering wheel, driver, decals, painting, interior decals are permissible as long as these details do not exceed the maximum length, width and weight specifications.

Maximum car size, including wheels, may not exceed 7" long by 2.75" wide. Minimum width between wheels shall be 1.75". Minimum ground clearance between car bottom and track shall be 3/8". There can be no change in the length of the wheelbase as prescribed in the original block (the axles must reside in the pre-formed slots on the bottom of the car block).

The number assigned to the car must be clearly painted on the top part of the car. This number was placed on the plastic wrapping of the car when it was handled out and will be used when setting up the race heats. Don’t forget this step as it may create problems when you check in.

Only the stock wheels and axles from the original issued Car Kit can be used. No alteration, narrowing or reshaping of wheels is allowed. Wheels may be sanded to eliminate roughness only. Wheel bearings, washers or bushings between the wheels and body are prohibited. All cars must have four (4) wheels only. All four wheels do not have to touch the surface of the track. The car must be freewheeling with no starting devices.

Cars may be lubricated before giving to the race officials at weigh-in. Cars cannot be handled or lubricated thereafter. Violation of this rule may result in disqualification. Any kind of lubrication is permitted, but Dry Graphite is highly recommended. No lubrication shall be dripping from the car at time of weigh-in or it will not be accepted until corrected.

RACE RULES

Although a Pinewood Derby is a fun event, simple rules are necessary to ensure fair and equal competition. Cars will be weighed in prior to the beginning of the races and alteration by racers may be made if the car does not meet the specification requirements. Once the car has been accepted by a race official, no further handling, lubrication or alterations will be allowed until the completion of all races.

The Derby will be run using software from RaceView and consist of several races. The fastest car from each Tribe will compete in a finals elimination "race-off" for "bragging rights".

Cars damaged during the Derby may be repaired to their original, inspected status at a supervised repair table. No lubricant or weight may be added and the car must be examined by a race official before continuing to race.

If a collision or other interference interrupts a race, the race will be rerun. After the second interference of the same race by the same car, the interfering racecar shall be declared the loser of the race (unless the track is at fault). Interrupted raced shall be rerun on the same track lane.

In the event of a tie finish or indecision by the finish line official, the race will be rerun after switching lanes. The decision of the race officials (host circle) is final.

SPECIAL TRIBAL CAR CLASS

To promote a little bit of competition between circles, a circle class of cars will be permitted. These cars are to be made by all the circle members together as a group project. There are no rules or restrictions other than the car has to have originated from the "BASIC CAR KIT". No "rocket powered" (Estes rocket motor) cars are allowed. Remember that the circle car must still fit on the track in order to race. Please use some COMMON SENSE as it pertains to safety.