Powahay District
Cub Scout Roundtable Handout
December 2010
Cub Scout Derbies
Racing in a Cub Scout derby is great fun. Cub Scouts get to design a racing vehicle, work with a parent to
build it, and see it perform on race day. Win or lose, you'll take pride in having done your best. When you
race in a Cub Scout derby, you learn craft skills, the rules of fair play, and good sportsmanship—things
you will remember all your life.
Types of Derbies
The main types of derbies are the pinewood derby,
raingutter regatta, space derby, and Cubmobile
derby.
Pinewood Derby: The pinewood derby is one of the
most popular and successful family activities in Cub
Scouting. Pinewood derby cars are small wooden
models that Cub Scouts make with help from their
families. Then they race the cars in competition. The
cars are powered by gravity and run down a track.
Most packs have a pinewood derby every year. It can
be run indoors or outdoors. Every boy can design and
build his own "grand prix" car to enter in the race.
Raingutter Regatta: In the raingutter regatta, boats race down a narrow channel. There are two
versions. The wind-powered version uses sailboat designs, and the boats are blown down the channel.
The propeller-powered version uses motorboats driven by propeller.
Space Derby: Another popular family-son project is the space derby. It's like the pinewood derby except
the models are miniature rockets. The rockets "fly" along a heavy line that hangs in the air. They're driven
by propellers powered by rubber bands.
Cubmobile Derby: Each den works together to build a "Cubmobile," a pint-sized racing vehicle. Each
den has one racer, and each Cub Scout in the den races in the car once. Usually, a ramp helps start the
cars, and they roll downhill to the finish line. The race is held on a smooth
street that slopes downhill.
Kits and supplies for the pinewood derby, raingutter regatta, and space derby
are available from the national Supply Division. See their Web site at
www.scoutstuff.org.
Competition and Prizes: Each family that competes in a Cub Scout derby
follows a set of simple, easy rules. The winners get prizes, and every boy is
recognized for taking part. Always remember that in Cub Scouting, it's more
important to "Do Your Best" than to come in first. The big thing about a derby
isn't the competition or the prizes. It's the fun you and your family will have.
You can find more about derbies in the Cub Scout Grand Prix Pinewood Derby Guidebook No. 33721.
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Powahay District
Cub Scout Roundtable Handout
December 2010
Conduct a Successful Pinewood Derby Event -- Pinewood Derby Event Planning
Appoint a Chairperson, select an Event Committee, and decide the following:
a)
Location of the event. Consider the space available, size of
space needed, time needed and the available time of the facility
b)
Distribution of car kits and rules. Everyone needs to know and
understand the Rules of the Road before building their cars, and they
also need plenty of time (30 - 60 days) to construct their cars.
c)
Weigh-in and judges. Schedule an official weigh-in / judging for
at least a week in advance of race day. This allows some “slack” time for
any non-complying cars to be corrected before race day - eliminating last
minute hurt feelings.
d)
Assembly and testing of the track. Set up and run a few test
races at least 1 - 2 hours before the scheduled start of the race. Last minute problems can delay the
start, and big crowds don’t usually wait peacefully!
e) Publicity. Advertise your event well in advance to all in the Pack and their families. Let them know
the date, time, availability of food & drinks (if any), and any other relevant details of the event. This is
also a good time to recruit helpers and get any needed donations of items or money for prizes &
trophies.
Program Committee
a) Plan a snappy opening, such as a “ribbon cutting” or singing the Star Spangled Banner along with
taped music accompaniment.
b) Handle all aspects of awards, (e.g. decorated platforms, signs, tables, trophies, ribbons, medals, etc.)
c) Plan for crowd control. Barricades or rope barriers around track and trophies, entertainment,
babysitters or other activities to keep young siblings occupied (if desired)
d) String pennants or race day banners for decorations
e) Arrange for a microphone / sound system for the race announcer (critical)
Inspection Team
a) Weigh cars with consistent measuring device
b) Inspect cars for compliance to all established Rules of the Road, so that the event is fair to all racers
c) Use a “jig” or “sizing box” made of wood to check overall dimensions of cars, and specifically to check
the clearance under cars and between wheels. Nothing hurts worse than watching the face of a
Scout whose car stops half-way down to the finish line because Dad put the weights on underneath,
or pushed the wheels in too close, and they’re dragging on the track!
d) Mark numbers on the tops of the cars - using small round stickers or masking tape & a pen. Use a
separate series of numbers for each classification.
e) Act as judges for craftsmanship awards or other special awards. Report winners to program
committee.
f) Examples of Special Awards categories are:
Best of Show
Best Antique Design
Most Futuristic Design
Most Likely Made by a Cub Scout
Finest Craftsmanship
Most Original Design
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Powahay District
Cub Scout Roundtable Handout
December 2010
Registration Team
a.) Enter car numbers and names of entries on a preliminary heat sheet.
b.) Enter names of heat winners on semifinal sheets
c.) Determine final standing of each car and report results to program
committee for presentation of awards.
d.) Have judges with checkered flags
e.) Have gatekeepers to line up boys
f.) Set up Pinewood Derby track
g.) Report preliminary winners and final winners to registration team
Other tips for a successful race day:
·
Have a pre-race inspection of cars (usually at the same time as the weigh-in) at least a week prior to
the race to catch all possible problems before race day. This minimizes disqualifications and
disappointments.
Have a meeting prior to the race to orient officials with their jobs. Prepare your group of race officials
that they will act as a team during the race, and will make all judgments and rulings together. Expect
that something will go wrong - like a racer’s car jumps off the track at the finish line of the finals - and
that they will likely have to make a ruling on the spot. By planning for these possible negative events,
and having several parents ready to deal with a difficult situation on the spot, you can minimize hurt
feelings and tears from a Scout if an issue arises.
Use some type of board to post the race progress, such as tags with hooks.
If using computer software make sure names and results are cleared out from previous races and all
boys are entered.
Consider using judges from outside the Pack to prevent parent problems when a Scout doesn’t win.
Have some activity planned for about 15 minutes after completion of registration, to allow time to
organize the first race heats.
Have some activity planned between Den finals and Pack heats to allow time for organizing the next
heats. Have enough ribbons and awards so that every Cub Scout can take home an award from the
race (critical).
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Top 10 Steps to a Successful Pinewood Derby Race
1. Assign a Pack Meeting date for the Derby. The entire meeting should be for the Derby.
2. Provide an adequate indoor facility space for equipment, participants and spectators.
3. Schedule with the District Derby Coordinator, or whoever is in charge, if track equipment is to be
rented or borrowed.
4. Purchase Pinewood Derby Car Kits ahead of time (in quantities of 8 for the price break) and distribute
at least one month prior to the race day.
5. Determine what awards will be given and order or make ahead of time. The awards should be given
out at the race - on race day - to be most effective.
6. Make sure BSA Council-specific Derby rules (Rules of the Road) are given out to ALL families in the
Pack to ensure fairness to all participants.
7. Have a Den or Pack level “Show & Tell Workshop” on how-to make a car, what tools to use, do’s and
don’ts, etc...
8. Conduct your pre-weigh-in prior to race day. This saves lots of time and headaches on race day.
9. Assign / recruit helpers in advance of Derby race day.
10. Thank everyone involved in your race (critical).
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Powahay District
Cub Scout Roundtable Handout
December 2010
Pinewood Derby and Parents
Rules: No one wants to tell a Cub Scout and parents, his car doesn’t qualify. Explain the rules again and
again, especially to Tiger Cubs and New Scouts. Printed copies of the rules should be given to each
participant. If your pack has had past problems with non-qualifying cars have leaders hand out the rules
at den meeting and make a check list to ensure that each parent receive the rules.
Building the Car: First time builders and non-tool owning parents can become overwhelmed with this
project. Ease their tension by having a den or pack workshop. Simple ideas for cars can be found on
numerous websites, cars don’t have to be engineering marvels nor do they have to be painted. Suggest
utilizing marking pen, stickers, or just have it natural. The idea is to have the Scout do as much as
possible. Some communities have Wood Working clubs, and Senior Centers that can help, and some of
the big chain hardware stores have Pinewood Derby workshops
Parent Control: This is a Cub Scout project. Inevitably you will encounter the parent who loses selfcontrol by:
a. By building the car for the Scout.
b. By feeling victimized when the Scouts car doesn’t meet the rules.
c. Unsportsmanlike conduct at weigh-in or race.
A good way to eliminate the first problem is by having sibling and adult races after the Scout races.
However this can add to an already long night.
All cars should be able to pass inspection if the Scouts follow the rules. If the car doesn’t pass and the
parent becomes unruly ask him/her to step aside and calmly explain the reason. The weigh-in session
should have a pit repair table equipped to handle almost any problem.
Unsportsmanlike conduct by an adult is easy to eliminate. Have each parent sign a document stating that
they will behave as we expect our Cub Scouts to or they will be asked to leave the event area.
If your pack has had problems with parents not following the rules then have them sign your guidelines
and include good sportsmanship in it.
HAVE FUN !!!!!!
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