2023 Arrohattoc /Crater District Pinewood Derby

Date/Time:  March 18th, 2023 from 8am – 4pm
Races Begin:  9am
Location:  Chesterfield County Fairgrounds (10300 Courthouse Rd, Chesterfield, VA 23832)
Who:  All Cub Scouts! (Any younger or older siblings may participate as well, but will race in the OUTLAW Races)

1) AOLs Impound/Check-in: 8:00-8:45AM | Race: 9:00AM
2) Webelos Impound/Check-in: 9:00-9:45AM | Race: 10:00AM
3) Bear Impound/Check-in: 10:00-10:45PM | Race: 11:00AM
4) Wolves Impound/Check-in:  11AM-12PM | Race: 12:30PM
5) Tigers Impound/Check-in: 12:30-1:15PM | Race: 1:30PM
6) Lions Impound/Check-in: 1:30-2:15PM | Race: 2:30PM
7) OUTLAW RACE Impound/Check-in: 2:30-3:15PM | Race: 3:30PM

Derby Registration Deadline:  Racers must be registered NO LATER THAN Thursday, March 16th, 2023. (Please note that each scout/racer needs to be individually registered online)

Hello Pack Leaders and Do-ers!

Did you know that the Pinewood Derby is coming up soon and will be more awesome than usual this year?  This year Arrohattoc and Crater Districts are teaming up in order to provide the best program possible! This race is an open championship to all Scouts in the Heart of Virginia Council.  Any Arrow of Light Webelos who participated in a pack race but have crossed over into Scouts BSA may still participate as though they were still a Cub Scout.

Check out some of the details and cool features this race has to offer our Scouts!

The joint district race will have electronic gates with a HUGE projection screen focused on the track which will display:  Scout Names, Unit Number, Scout Rank, Car Names & Finish Times.

The entry fee for all entrants is $5.00 per youth.  Registration must be completed by March 16th, 2023.  Each participant must provide their name, unit number, a car description, and a name for a parent/guardian with their contact information. Please remember all entries must be pre-registered.

Other Fun Activities Available:

Multiple Race Cars on-site…

• Lin O’Neill featuring #VA1 – Late Model Stock Class
• Sean Nelson featuring #90 Nelson – Late Model Stock Class
• L.C. Bird RoboHawks Robotics Team

Concessions Stand – get lunch and snacks (all concessions will be $1)

• Soda
• Chips
• Candy
• Slushies
• Hot Dogs
• Bottled Water

Council/District Information Booth (featuring upcoming camping opportunities: Back-to-Camp Spring Camporee, Summer Camp, Cub Adventure Camp, Cub Day Camp)

Possible Visit from Chesterfield Fire Department – Station 13

Possible Visit from Chesterfield Car Club showcasing unique cars

Did we mention AWARDS?  All participants will receive a collectible 2023 Arrohattoc/Crater Pinewood Derby patch.  Top 3 finishers in each rank will receive medals PLUS we will be awarding special trophies to the top 3 finishers out of the two district.

2023 Pinewood Derby Rules – Please use the rules set by National when building your cars to ensure that all cars at the district level race are in compliance. (Attached)
 

2023 OUTLAW Derby Rules

Each car must follow all weight and dimension requirements listed in the "Official Class Rules", except for ground clearance and wheelbase.

There is no minimum ground clearance from the bottom of the wheels to the bottom of the lowest part of the car. In the official race rules, this clearance must be at least 3/8 of an inch, including weights and accessories. However, for Outlaw Class cars, there is no minimum, but you are responsible for understanding that if your car rubs or touches on the track because of insufficient ground clearance. It is recommended that you adhere to the 3/8" clearance rule unless you are absolutely sure that the bottom of your car will not touch the track.

There are no minimum or maximum wheelbase requirements on Outlaw Class cars.

Cars must be powered by gravity only! This means no engines, rubber bands, wind up motors, springs as used for propulsion, rocket motors, CO2 cartridges, thermo-nuclear reactors, plasma boosters, rodents on hamster wheels, or any other thrust generation or enhancement devices.

No projectiles are allowed, and no part of the car may intentionally detach from the car during the race or come into contact with any other car. f. No hazardous materials (i.e. lead weights)

Other than these rules, anything goes! Think outside the box. Use exotic materials, wheels, axles, bearings, or advanced engineering. Use exotic tools and equipment such as milling machines, lathes, laser cutters, 3D printers, or anything else you can think of to make your car. Put rolling weights or liquid mercury inside the body (as long as it does not create an exposure or spill hazard) or elsewhere to shift the center of gravity or reduce friction. Use a tiny computer and sensors to steer the car and keep it centered on the track so it never touches the center guide rail in order to reduce friction. Think of ways to make the axle bearing surfaces more efficient or even friction-free with magnetic bearings or jewel bearings. Springs can be used for suspension purposes only, but not to aid in driving the wheels or producing thrust in any manner.

There will be a small Pit Stop available for last minute adjustments prior to check-in.

You can get all the tools and supplies your Cub Scout needs to build their Pinewood Derby car at your local scout shop.

Cub Scouts have been building Pinewood Derby cars since 1953. This annual event is more than just racing, it builds confidence and Scouts can take pride in their own skills and hard work.

On your marks…get set…GO!

Resources:

Rules: https://www.scoutshop.org/pwd-rules
Heart of Virginia Council: http://hovc.org/ready-set-race-2022-pinewood-derby/

Tips and Tricks: https://www.scoutshop.org/blog/10-tips-and-tricks-to-a-fast-and-cool-looking-pinewood-derby-car.html
Design Ideas: https://scoutlife.org/hobbies-projects/pinewood-derby/166493/pinewood-derby-car-designs-of-2020/

Check out races from previous years…

2022 – https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1-BB1xi6paNX51hUzJGTX0Auou9a2XTZ4