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Conduct a Successful Pinewood Derby Event
Pinewood Derby Event Planning
-by the Denver Area
Council, Boy Scouts of America
- 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.
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
- 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.
- Some packs use an
instant-developing camera to photograph the finish. This
simplifies picking the winners in a close race, and the photo can be
given to the winner. This method (camera flashes) may cause
problems with some of the more recent computerized finish lines, so be
aware.
- 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).
Top 10 Steps to a Successful
Pinewood Derby Race
- Assign a Pack Meeting date for the Derby. The entire meeting should
be for the Derby.
- Provide an adequate indoor facility
space for equipment, participants and spectators.
- Schedule with the District Derby
Coordinator, or whoever is in charge, if track equipment is to be rented
or borrowed.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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...
- Conduct your pre-weigh-in prior to
race day. This saves lots of time and headaches on race day.
- Assign / recruit helpers in advance
of Derby race day.
- Thank everyone involved in your
race (critical).
‘Twas the Night Before Pinewood
‘Twas the night before Pinewood,
His
car still needed lead,
He
had done his very best,
When
his Mom yelled “Get to bed!”
He
climbed under his blanket,
His
car wasn’t ready to race,
The
Pinewood Derby was tomorrow,
There
was a frown on his face.
Just
as his eyes had closed,
He
heard something spin,
It
was old Scout Saint Nick,
Coming
to help him win!
As
he peaked from under the covers,
Scout
Saint Nick started to drill,
To
help his car speed,
On
its way down the hill.
He
splashed on some paint,
And
stuck on some wheels,
He
put the car on its stand,
And
clicked his boot heels.
This
woke the young Scout,
He
had a smile on his face,
A
happy Pinewood to all,
And
to all a good race!
HAVE FUN !!!!!!
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