Pre-Registration Form

Introduction

 The pinewood derby has become one of the popular and successful events in the Heartland Royal Rangers. Like all successful activities it requires planning and preparation. The boys will have fun, but they will also benefit by working with family members and being involved with Christian activities. In the new Royal Ranger materials, the Pinewood Derby is an excellent way to earn the Discovery Ranger Models and Designs merit.

 Pinewood derby cars are simply small models of specified dimension, created, carved , and assembled by the boys, under the guidance of their parents, other family members or commanders. The cars are gravity powered and run down a regulation track. The race can be run indoors or outdoors.

The Pinewood derby committee of the Heartland Conference Royal Rangers has simple, uncomplicated rules and each family should receive this rule book before the cars are built. The outpost should follow the guidelines for planning special activities so that nothing important will be overlooked.

 Pinewood derby kits with building instructions can be bought from the National Office at 1-800-882-28043 or www.RoyalRangers-iphc.org.

 The annual pinewood derby for the Heartland Conference will be announced every year. For Heartland calendar of events visit www.HeartlandRR.org. If your outpost needs more information or help with an outpost derby, please contact your conference Royal Ranger staff.

Pinewood Derby Rules

1. All cars entered must be raced in the same year they are made. Cars built before the first of the year (even if never raced) will not be accepted.
2. There will be separate categories for the following groups:
   1. Ranger Kids (boys grades K5 – 2^nd)
   2. Discovery Rangers (boys grades 3^rd – 5^th)
   3. Adventure Rangers (boys grades 6^th – 8^th)
   4. Expedition Rangers (boys grades 9^th – 12^th)
   5. Open Category (Commanders, parents, siblings not in rangers)
   6. Grand Champion run off (boys only)
3.  Participants must make their own cars. Help for boys will be in the way of demonstration. (Ranger Kids may be helped more if necessary.)
4. Only one car be entered per person
5. Pinewood Derby race car specifications:
   1. Weight: Not to exceed 5 ounces. May have extra weight added but must be firmly attached. No loose materials of any kind are permitted.
   2. Width: Not to exceed 2 ¾ inches, including wheels and axels.
   3. Length: Overall length not to exceed 7 inches.
   4. Wheels: No wayfaring, grinding or shaping of wheels. Light sanding of existing flat surfaces is permitted. The material shall be from the afore mentioned kits only. Wheel bearings: washers, bearings, and bushings are prohibited.
   5. Springing: The car shall not ride on any type of springs.
   6. Attachments: The car must be free wheeling with no starting or accelerating devices.
   7. Details: Decals, paint, etc. are permitted provide they do not exceed weight, length, and width specifications and are firmly attached. No loose materials of any kind are allowed in or on the car (such as lead shot or weights).
   8. Lubricating: Only powdered graphite is permitted. Absolutely no oil, grease, or silicone spray shall be used on axels or wheels.

Race Day

1)      Registration and Inspection

a)      The boy goes to the registration table where his name and car are entered into the competition

b)      Each boy brings his car to the inspection table to have it inspected. Each car will be inspected according to the Pinewood Derby Rules listed above. If in the opinion of the inspector the car does not meet these requirements then, if possible, the participate may modify the car to meet the requirements. If it is not possible the car will be disqualified for the fastest car competition, however he may still participate in the best of show competition.

2)      Impounding

a)      After inspection and registration, cars are brought to the parking lot. No participant shall handle or touch any impounded car until their name is called to race.

3)      Racing – Fastest Car Competition

a)      As each heat is announced, the boys will place their own cars at the starting gate. A commander designated “The Starter” will release the gate.

b)      Judges at the finish line will determine the results of the race. The car whose nose is first over the finish line is the winner. Where available the winner may be chosen by an electronic device attached to the finish line.

c)      If a false start is called by the starting judge, the heat will be re-run.

d)      If a car leaves the track, runs out of its lane, interferes with another car or loses an axel, etc. the heat will be run over. The cars causing interference may be sent to the Pit Stop for inspection before the re-run. If the same car gets into trouble on the second run, the participant automatically loses that race. If on the second run another car is interfered with, the heat will be run a third time but without the car that was disqualified.

e)      Following a heat, all cars will then be placed in the parking lot for the next heat.

f)        After all races are over, the cars will be given back to the owners.

4)      Pit Stop Area

a)      There will be a designated pit stop area for minor repairs. The car must be fully constructed before registering.

b)      Only slight damage will be repaired. Major damage will disqualify a car.

c)      In no event will repair to a car be allowed to cause undue delay of any race.

5)      Best of Show Competition

a)      There will be best of show awards based on Quality of workmanship and quantity of work completed by the participant.

b)      Each participate will be asked questions about his car in the areas of design, construction, sanding, painting, engineering, and workmanship.

c)      Answers and the quality of the car will be used by the judges to determine placing for best of show for each group.

Tips for Car Construction

1. If your design calls for cutting away much of the block use a scroll saw, band saw, chop saw, or coping saw first. Then shape with a dermal tool or sandpaper.

2. Younger boys may only be able to use sandpaper, or a small wood file.

3. Paint body parts before assembling them to avoid getting pain on axels.

4. Remove burrs on the screw axels before adding wheels by using sandpaper or emery cloth.

5. If there is a mold seam on the wheels, sand them very lightly. (See Rule 5d )

6. Lubricate axels with powdered graphite. (see rule 5h)

The Heartland Conference is located in the State of Oklahoma with chartered outposts based in central Oklahoma. The Heartland Conference is under the International Pentecostal Holiness Church. Send mail to info @ HeartlandRR.org with questions or comments about this web site. Unless otherwise Stated in the material above, all material, graphics, video, etc. is Copyright© 2002-2006 Heartland Conference Royal Rangers of Oklahoma City, All rights reserved
Revised: December 07, 2006.