Council Pinewood Derby Championships 
Saturday, May 6, 2023

Race Location:                                               

WILLOWBROOK CHURCH
619 HIGH STREET VICTOR, NY 14564

 QUESTIONS:  Call (585) 244-4210  or email at pinewood-derby@senecawaterways.org

These are the Official Rules for the Seneca Waterways Council, District, and preferably Pack Pinewood Derby Races for 2023.  By standardizing the Rules, the intent is to create a fair environment for all participants while eliminating Rule differences between Districts and Packs which could lead to participants racing with an unfair advantage at District and Council Races. All Scouts will be held to these Rules and not knowing them is not an excuse for not following them.  All participants will be held to these Rules in the spirit of consistency for all Scouts.

Download: 2023 PWD-Rules

2023 Council Pinewood Derby:

The top TWO (2) finishers for each Rank are eligible to advance to the Council Race on May 6th, which equates to a total of 12 Scouts eligible to advance to the Council Race for each district. (The Scouts that finish 3rd and 4th will be the 1st and 2nd alternates).

ALL cars that are eligible to race in the Council Race (alternates included) MUST be impounded immediately following the completion of their Ranks heats (i.e. the top 4 for each rank).

So a quick word on impounding. The decision to impound the cars at each every level of racing is certainly not ideal and I truly wish that it was not necessary. The rules have always been that Scouts are not allowed to work on / alter their cars between races and that Scouts would be racing the same car they had raced in their Pack race at their respective District Race, then Council Race if qualified. We have mostly relied on the fact that we stressed to the Scouts that although there was no true way to police this, we did not have to because "A Scout is Honest". While I believe whole heartedly that our Scouts are honest, unfortunately last year it was revealed that some of the parents are not. 

While I will not go into the details here, there were situations that unfolded in last year's Council Race which unfortunately, revealed that these rules were NOT being followed by everyone. 

So because of these incidents, the decision was made to impound the cars at all levels to ensure fairness and consistency to all involved. 

That being said, please communicate to your individual Packs that the expectation is that all cars qualifying for their respective districts be impounded and will only be made available to the Scout on race day.

I am planning on attending each District's individual race this year and will personally collect the cars that have been impounded for the Council Race and will be personally responsible for bringing them to the Council Race on May 6th. For the Glacier Lakes / Waters Edge Districts, both races are being held on April 1st and I will reach out to the individual race coordinators to coordinate the pick-up of the cars. Please set aside the top 4 finishers for each rank and utilize the form found at the conclusion of this email when impounding cars. I will have these forms with me when I arrive to collect the cars but would appreciate if they could be filled out ahead of time if possible. 

Please register at the Scout Service Center by April 24, 2023

Registration Process:

1) Top TWO (2) Racers from each Rank from each District need to sign up by April 24, 2023

2) Email questions about registration: pinewood-derby@senecawaterways.org 

Council Race Day Procedure:

1) Scouts will receive their car at check-in. 

2) Scouts will then be allowed to graphite their wheels.

3) Scouts will then proceed to the inspection station. (Even with the impound rule, all cars must still pass inspection to be sure that they meet the published 2023 Seneca Waterways Council PWD Rules).