The Cub Scout Pinewood Derby is one of the highlights of the Scouting Year. This is a time-honored tradition dating back to the early 1950s. All Scouts will be provided a Pinewood Derby Kit by the Pack and are encouraged work with an adult partner to shape, decorate and ready their cars for Race Day. In addition, Parents and Siblings of all ages can participate in their own divisions on race day too, but will not be provided a starting kit by the Pack. It all starts with a block of wood... If you haven't already, you'll soon receive your official Pinewood Derby kit at your den meeting. If you don't receive your kit in the next week or so, please contact Cubmaster Charlie Niven or Assistant Cubmaster Jeff McLean. Additional kits can be purchased from the pack for $4 or from any Scout Shop, Hub Hobby, Hisdahl's, or Michael's Crafts. Let's build together! Josh Wickander has generously offered to host us in his heated garage:
Workshop Day - Pinewood Derby car building To give our host an idea of how many families to expect, RSVP to Josh Wickander: jawickander@msn.com Bring along the Pinewood Derby Kit you were given a few weeks ago. All participants are welcome to come and get their blocks rough cut and pick up a few tips and tricks for a faster racer. Some of our expert pinewood builders who represented our Pack at the Council Race last summer will be in attendance providing tips and ideas for a high performing Pinewood Racer. Tools, advice, and supplies will be available. Seperate areas for cutting, sanding and painting will be set up along with an indoor half-pipe to test your design! (If you have a portable power band-saw it would be very useful for this event. Please contact Josh if you can loan us yours.) Hot chocolate, cookies will be served and something for grownups as well. Testing & check-in Friday, January 10 In order to race on Saturday, Jan. 11, your cars must be checked in by our race officials on Friday, Jan 10. Bring cars, tools, weights, and whatever else you might need on Friday for last minute tweaks. “Pit tables” will be available for you and your scout(s). Cars will be weighed on an official, calibrated scale. After cars are turned in, they will be impounded overnight prior to the race. No modifications may are permitted on race day. The track will be setup in the afternoon and will be available for testing during registration. All Cars must be turned in for inspection and registration that night by 8pm. This makes Race Day easier and more enjoyable for everyone. The scout is not needed for registration. You can arrange for someone else to turn in your car if necessary. Important Note: Any car that does not comply with the rules, WILL still be allowed to race, but cannot win a trophy or advance to the District Race in April.
All Cars Check In Race day schedule Come just for your Scout’s race or attend the full Race Day.
Pinewood Derby - Race Day
Hugo American Legion Post 620 Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your race time.
The top 3 racers in each Scout Group will qualify to represent Pack 151 and participate in the District Pinewood Derby in April, 2014 as well as compete in the Top Performer Run-off at the end of the Day. If the Scout wishes to leave prior to the Run-off race, they will be allowed to take their car with them or can leave it with a friend. Snack bar new for 2014 We will have snacks and Pizza for sale during the race. Prices will be kept low. We just need to cover our costs.
Helpful Tips Regardless of the shape of the car, the top tips for a good Pinewood racer are:
Supplemental tools, supplies and decorations can be purchased at:
Online resources:
Volunteers needed
This is a big once-a-year event. It requires the help of many volunteers in all areas. “Race Official” Volunteers are requested to help run the race event, including running the track software, moving cars around from Pit Area to starting block and back to pit area. We also will need Snack Bar Volunteers to sell and dispense food. Please come early before your scout’s race or stay after to help out. Efforts will be made to ensure Race Officials and Snack Bar Volunteers will be able to “spectate” during their Scout’s races.
Please contact Jeff McLean, our Pinewood Derby Coordinator if you can help out. Uniforms Required Your son must be wearing his “Class A” uniform on Saturday including shirt, neckerchief, and slide. Scout hats and belts are optional for this event. Scout uniforms will be inspected prior to their race. Scouts not in uniform cannot win a trophy. Uniforms are not required on Friday. Official 2014 Rules Pack 151 will use the same Race Rules as Many Waters District and Northern Star Council. All Scouts, Parents and Siblings will be held to the same Rules. This means that our winning scouts can participate and compete at higher levels including the Many Waters District Pinwood Derby and the Northern Star Council Championship Pinewood Derby at the Mall of America. Here's a link to the Northern Star Council's 2014 Official Pinewood Derby Rules
Have questions about Pinewood Derby? Or anything else? Contact our leaders! |
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