Our 2023 Pinewood Derby is coming in February. It’s always one of the highlights of the scouting year! Pinewood Derby Car making is a great experience as a family activity that encourages creativity and hardwork.

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TIMINGS

 

Venue: Twin Creeks - MPR
Date: 24th Feb 2023 - 6-8 PM – Car check-in
          25th Feb 2023 - 8:30-12 PM – Voting starts at 8:30 AM, Race 9 onward

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THE CAR KIT

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Every scout will receive a free Pinewood Derby car kit which consists of a block of wood, four wheels and four axles.  These will be available at our monthly meetings. 

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If you would like to purchase additional kits, please send a note to srpack828@gmail.com with your desired quantity so we have a sense for how many extra kits to order.

 

THE RULES

Pack 828 follows the Blackhawk 500 racing rules, which are summarized at pack-828-pinewood-derby-2018-rules

 

Some highlights:

• Participating cars must be built during the current scouting year; no cars may be entered that raced in previous years

• Length of 7” or less; Width of 2.75” or less.  All parts of the car must fit within the 7” x 2.75” dimensions.

• Weight of 5 oz or less

• Axle to axle spacing must be 4.4" +/- 0.125"

• All work must be done by the scout and parent.  The intent is to have the scout build as much of the car as is reasonable and safe.

• Axles, wheels and body must consist of Official Grand Prix Pinewood Derby materials.  The use of pre-shaped car bodies and machined wheels is NOT allowed

• All four wheels must run flat and be in contact with the track surface

• Wheel treatment is allowed, but may not result in conspicuous removal of mass, nor reduction of wheel width or diameter

• Only dry lubricants are allowed

• The car must only be powered by gravity

BUILDING THE CAR

 

Building a pinewood derby car is a time-honored activity that Scouts and families complete together.

 

If you need help cutting your car, Alamo Hardware located at 3438 Camino Tassajara in Blackhawk in the Safeway shopping center can cut a pinewood derby car for $5 a car. Have your scout draw the cut line on the car prior to arriving. You can just drop in, but it is suggested to call first (925-736-6380) to confirm someone will be there to cut your car. Any car not in compliance with the rules cannot race. Cars need to be turned in on Friday, February 24th. Have fun designing. 

 

DO NOT WAIT TILL THE LAST WEEK TO ASK FOR CUTTING ASSISTANCE. THANK YOU!

 

After receiving your car, you and your Scout can finish sanding, painting, and adding design elements, wheels, and weights together.  

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PRIZES

 

​1st, 2nd and 3rd – 3 fastest car per den

TURTLE – The slowest car completing the race in the pack

BEST PAINT JOB

BEST DESIGN BY A SCOUT

MOST SCOUT LIKE

MOST COLORFUL

FUNNIEST LOOKING

CRAZIEST LOOKING

JUDGE'S FAVORITE

FASTEST LOOKING

MOST FUTURISTIC

SCOUT'S FAVORITE

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Finally, the Chase for the Pinewood Derby Cup begins.  We’ll use the same methodology as the preliminary round, in which the single best run over four races wins!  There will be trophies for the top four pinewood derby cars.

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We will have coffee, hot chocolate, assorted muffins, donuts, and other snacks.  The races should be over between 11 am and noon.

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We looking forward to seeing everyone!