Rules for E-Week 2023's Pinewood Derby Style Competition

We are very excited to be hosting a Pinewood Derby style competition on March 3rd for 12pm-2pm for our Engineers Week celebration in the Ritchie School Innovation Lab.

If you'd like to pick up a kit, they're available on a first-come, first-served basis in the engineering department office on the second floor.  

Here are the rules for the competition and the individual circuits. 

General Rules

- Blind draw bracket for every circuit

- Single race elimination

- Fastest car wins

- Drivers are not allowed to start a race if their car is in it

- One kit is given to each participant on the first-come, first-served basis

- Participants may provide their own kit if 

- Participants may enter more than one car in more than one circuit 

- Participants may work in teams

- Be creative

- Have fun!

 

We also have specialized rules for each circuit. 

 

Standard Circuit

- Use only what came in the kit

- No weight requirement

- No propulsion

- Fastest car wins

 

Scout Circuit

- Standard Boy Scout rules (found here)

- Wheel bearings, washers, and bushings are prohibited

- The car shall not ride on springs

- Only official Cub Scout Pinewood Derby wheels and axles are permitted

- Only dry lubricants are permitted 

- The car must be free-wheeling, with no starting devices.

- Fastest car wins

 

Sleeper Circuit

- Car must appear as if it follows the standard class circuit rules

- No propulsion

- Fastest car wins

 

Propulsion Circuit

- No compressed gas

- No flammable gas

- No ignition source

- Driver is not allowed to be in contact with car during the three second countdown to go

- Fastest car wins

 

The Innovation Lab has the circuit track complete if you'd like to head there to practice. If you have any questions, please reach out to Ashley Sherman or Justin Huff.