Welcome to: Plan em, Build em, Run em, Score em, and Make em a super addition to your Cub Scout Program!

Things to think about1. When during the year should such a competition be held?

Outdoors? Weather/temperature considerations. e.g. Avoid "wet" events during cold weather!

Things to think about2. How much lead time is needed between announcement and event?

Might depend on ...how complicated is the building activity?what materials are allowed?rules to be met?

Things to think about3. What equipment is needed? What are sources?

Make: cost, storageBorrow: ask for sources at Cub Roundtable, check "Resources" section of district website

Things to think about4. How should the competition be conducted?

Things to think about5. What rules are required?

"Inherit" rules from a related district event? Should you require Official kits? Or allow Alternative sources? Add-ons?

Things to think about6. Rules ... KISMIF. Clear, concise, precise.

And publicize early!!!

Suggested Resources

The How To Book (Chapter 6)The prior chairman!Pack parentsGoogle and YouTube

Planning a Race DayStart Planning - (up to 3 to 4 months or more before race). Designate a Derby Chairperson (maybe this is you) Set/adopt racing rules and car specifications Set place and date of race (and maybe an alternate) Arrange for track and check-in equipment Select you race staff - judges, registration personnel, score keeper, staging coordinators etc. Make a checklist of items to have on hand at race-day Design or select the race chart The best, most timely, fairest with number of Lanes and racers

Set-upSet up chairs for the audienceHave an area for the boysUse cones, orange tape, or checkered streamers to mark off areasMake sure you have enough tables.

The Equipment

Track and electronic lane judge - Buy, borrow, rent, or build it yourself? Check-in and technical check equipment Length, Width and Height box Clearance checker Scales - balance scales, electronics scales or postal scales Clipboards, charts etc. PA system

Derby Workshop/Pre-race Check - (One or Two Weeks Before Race)

Coordinate the time, place and workshop host

Awards

The fastest and runners-up Static Awards Original DesignFuel EconomyAudience Choice

The Pinewood Derby CommitteeChairman Master of Ceremonies Rules Team Sponsors Team Construction Clinics Team Pit Crew Team Track Setup and Repair Team Registration Team Starters Decorations Team Finishers Refreshments Team Crowd Control / Cub Escorts Results Chart Team Awards Team Cleanup Team

Set/adopt racing rules and car specificationsThis is very importantThe overall length of the car shall not exceed 7 inches.The overall width of the car shall not exceed 2 inches.The car must have 1 clearance between the wheels.The car must have 3/8 clearance underneath the body so it does not rub on the track.

Set place and date of race (and maybe an alternate)Most Pinewood Derbies are held at the beginning of the new Year, i.e. Jan, Feb, March.Usually held at the Units Chartered Organization.Find a big enough area to stage the race, Gym, auditorium, try not to plan it outside because of crosswinds.

Types of TracksTrackWoodenAluminumPlasticCardboard

Wood V/S AluminumWood - Easier to repair if damaged - Less expensive than aluminum (can go with a shorter track) - Quieter as cars are running down - There is additional cost to seal the wood to protect it from moisture damage - Can delaminate or warp if not properly stored - Setup space is less of an issue since track can be shorter than aluminum Aluminum -Faster racing surface for the cars - More durable than wood -No finishing required - Higher cost since need a longer length to keep cars from crashing to a stop at the end - Dinged or dented sections may not be repairable and would have to be replaced - Noisy as cars are running down - Setup space is more of an issue

AluminumBest TrackCost -$450-$2000Lightweight

Wooden TrackCheaper than Aluminum trackWill have to build itSupplies cost $250-$500

Plastic TrackSuper Track$630-$13004-6 Lanes

Cardboard Track by PinecarPinecar Track- Cost - $100Pros:-Inexpensive

Cons:-impossible to keep aligned -joints fit badly and cars with perfect clearance would rub

Pre-Race Check InMake sure the Check in Crew are very knowledgeable of the rulesThey should be trained to recognize illegal CarsKit Cars from a Hobby ShopCars from E-bayIllegal Wheels, and Axels

Race-day

Racer and car Check-in Register all racers and their cars Attach a number and name to the car Have the car checked by the "Pit Crew/Judges" The car judging Weight test station Wheels checking Size Testing Clearance and misc. testing Impound/store the car - in a box or a table with towels to prevent rolling

Pre-Race check In (Cont)Make sure you have stickers to distinguish between densEach car should be given a numberStickers and numbers should not be assigned until after the car has been measured and weighed inIf a car has to go to the Pit-stop for adjustment it must be re-weighed and measured

Supplies need for pre-race Check- inPostal ScaleRuler or Check in BoxStickers to assign Dens and numbers Sheet with name of boy, car number, den, etc..Optional Laptop to enter the boys into Spreadsheet

Supplies Needed for Race DayCar Scale

Supplies Needed (Cont)Car Inspection GaugeDen Stickers

Pit Stop SuppliesSupplies NeededSand Paper 100 +Cordless Hand DrillFilesGraphiteWeight, Lead, Fishing Sinkers, coinsSuper Glue, Hot Glue GunExtra Digital ScaleDrill bits, ScrewdriversExtra Graphite

The RaceStaging and pre-staging the racers Lane selection method - rotation, random draw or single lane Car handling In-race Lubrication/Modifications and other no-no's Recognize the eliminated racers

Award CeremonyAwards depend on the size of the tracksIf you have a large Pack, have trophies for 1st-3rd place for each den, then have trophies for overall Pack winners.Have trophies for, Audience Selection, Judges selection, Best fuel economy, etc

Awards Make sure when preparing Pack Budget, to Budget enough for the Derby.Trophies, Food, other materials Every boy should get something, i.e. ribbons, medals

Some Other Types of DerbiesSpace Derby Raingutter RegattaCubmobile Derby (gravity powered)Fishing DerbyKite Derby

Space Derby

http://www.simplecom.net/pack36/space_derby.htmlPack 36 St. Marks UMCNorthport, AL

Raingutter Regatta

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raingutter_regattahttp://www.lastufka.net/lab/boats/

Fishing Derby

http://www.nashpack567.org/node/14

Kite Derby

http://www.cdly.org/Cubs/KiteDerby/index.html

You can make up your ownCubmobiles (push-mobiles)

Balloon-powered cars

Rubber-band powered cars

Pop-bottle rockets (competing for height, distance, flight time, or accuracy)

Pop-bottle Rocket DerbyBYOR ... Compete for height, distance, flight time, or accuracy

Your #1 Resource!Chapter 6 includes an outline for planning a Derby!

***** a. Head-to-head, first to reach finish line wins. (If neither finishes, farthest travel wins) b. Elimination formats c. Cumulative heat times d. Cumulative heat points**a. Focus rules on aspects that matter!

b. Express the dividing line between legal and illegal.

c. Try for the least restrictions possible that keep the project "within reason."

d. Avoid rules that produce "magic bullets", i.e. single superior design choices involving expensive *Derby Talk is great!

If you dig shallowly enough in Pope's Pinewood Pages you will find my published online book. You have a free pass.***Boy and family member builds a rocket

Boy races the rocket.*Boy and family member build a racing boat.

Boy races the boat.*This can really get the parents involved.

For many of us, it teaches patience.*Almost anyone can build a kite! But will it fly?*Pushmobiles are Cubmobiles with a handle on the back for pushing.

Another team event*A bare 2-liter bottle will fly.

But it is even better if the boy and his family has made a custom rocket by combining a 2-liter bottle, some duct tape, and some cut out pieces of plastic.*The HOW-TO BOOK is full of useful stuff for Den and Pack leaders! It belongs in your personal library!

BSA Publication # 33832AChapter 6. Special Pack Activities