Plywood Derby
August 17 & 18, 2002
fun from past years

March 22, 2002

    Hi T.R.,
    I wanted to update everyone on this years Derby. Sorry to report we had to cancel the event due to a lack of staff. The sad part is I have had a lot of inquiries about the event on the participation side. I'll try again next year! Thanks to those who responded.
    Mike Gentile

    Some Background Information on the Plywood Derby.

    For more information, contact Mike Gentile.

    For years Cub Scouts have loved to participate in the Pinewood Derby held each year in Packs around the country. The bonding that takes place between parents and children while carving, building and racing these 7" model cars lasts a lifetime. Unfortunately this activity does not carry on for the boy when he enters a Boy Scout Troop.

    Boy Scouts used to sponsor a Soapbox Derby, but nowadays this has become a very complicated and expensive event. A Soapbox Derby car costs over $500 to build and has very precise racing rules. Tres Ranchos has developed a less expensive version while trying to maintain the spirit of the event. We call it a Plywood Derby .

    Tres Ranchos District has put together kits so that a boy can purchase and build a 4' - 6' race car, actually get into it and compete against other scouts in a downwill race. These cars, more advanced than a Pinewood Derby car, will develop the boy's mechanical abilities and skills. This is a "Big Boy Toy" . Using a sheet of plywood and some advanced tools, the boys cut out a pattern and construct the cars at a cost of about $100. The Plywood Derby requires seat belts and personal protective equipment for all cars and drivers.

    The downhill racecourse is 1,000 feet long and the cars will reach speeds of up to 30 mph.

    We invite all to support the project and the boys of our community.

    Tres Ranchos Plywood Derby Rules

    Participants
    Any registered Boy Scout who is a member of a troop within the Tres Ranchos District of the San Francisco Bay Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America may enter this competition. (Some Scouts may be too large to fit in a standard Derby Car safely). Some Troops from outside the District may participate, by special invitation only.

    Patrols are encouraged to enter as many cars as they have the time and money to build, up to one per person.

    Patrol built and entered cars may be raced by up to four individuals. Each individual must pre-register for the race. Troops may form provisional patrols for the purposes of this event.

    Construction

    Fairness
    A fair competition is a goal of this event. The knowledge that all drivers are entering a well designed car using common parts will inspire confidence and promote a better self image of all participants.
    All cars must be constructed using All of the parts in the kits supplied by the District. No substitutions will be allowed. These parts include wheels, axle bolts, steering mechanism and brake parts.
    No bearings of any sort may be added to the wheels or axles. Washers are permitted although not necessarily helpful.
    No modifications may be made to the wheels supplied in the kits. Lubricants are permitted, but may not be added after final check-in.

    Size Limits
    Custom designs are permitted, but design plans must be approved by the race committee's engineer and safety officer prior to construction.
    Overall dimensions may not exceed 24" wide by 72" long by 24" high.
    Weight may not exceed 100 lb. including any ballast.

    Materials
    Nails, screws, dowels, or other exotic wood joints such as mortise and tenon may all be used to join parts together. Be aware that nails and screws do not hold well in the edge of plywood and may cause delamination. All joints should be glued using a wood glue.
    Exterior grade plywood of 3/4" thickness with a minimum of 5 plys should be used.
    No metal, plastic or fiberglass frame or skin parts may be used. This does not exclude metal fasteners, hinges, brackets or other hardware.

    Safety Items
    Each car must have Loctite applied to the front wheel bolt threads. This is to prevent bolt loosening during the races.
    Each car must be equipped with brakes allowing it to stop in a controlled fashion, without the possibility of loss of steering while stopping. No front wheel brakes or brakes which might cause the front wheels to leave the ground will be permitted. The District will provide an acceptable design and critical materials for brakes.
    Each car must be equipped with the automotive grade safety belt provided by the district.
    The Pitman arm (eye-bolt) must be turned in all but one turn to shorten it as much as possible without jamming. This will reduce over steer in this downhill event.
    External corners must be rounded to prevent injury.
    Foam rubber bumpers equivalent to 1/2 inch pipe insulation must be installed on front and rear.
    No sharp or protruding elements are permitted.
    Any ballast weights must be secured to prevent movement and must not pose any risk to the driver.
    The driver must be able to see clearly the space in front of the car.

    Decoration
    Each car should be painted.
    The space on both of the outside surfaces of the seat should be reserved for sponsors' decals.
    Troop, Patrol or individual identification should be on the top surface of the cowling.
    A pre-printed car number will be issued at the time of registration to affix to the front and rear of the car.
    For multi-driver cars, individual names may be placed on the back of the car. No Brand names (other than sponsors') or copyrighted designs should be used. No profanity or offensive language or images should be used to decorate the car.

    Judge's decisions are final.

    Race Day Rules

    Safety Gear

    Each Driver must wear a properly fitted helmet, knee pads, elbow pads, gloves and safety glasses during the race.
    Hockey, motorcycle or football helmets are recommended.
    Shoes must be worn by drivers - no sandals or bare feet.

    Uniforms

    All Drivers must wear a regulation class "A" Boy Scout uniform. Hats may not be worn during the race due to wearing helmets. Neckerchief and slide must be removed prior to the race.

    Classes

    The competition will be divided up into weight classes. Awards will be made in each class. The weight of the car and the driver together will determine the class. Ballast may be changed to accommodate different drivers of the same car. Weight class for each driver will be determined at check-in. Weight will be re-checked immediately prior to each race.

    Classes will be:
    * ultra light - less than 125 lb.
    * lightweight -between 125 and 150 lb.
    * middleweight between 150 and 175 lb.
    * heavyweight between 175 and 200 lb.
    * ultra heavy over 200 lb. (requires a custom car)

    A minimum of six drivers will be required in each class. Any class with fewer than six will be combined with a neighboring class.

    Conduct

    Conduct becoming a Boy Scout, in the spirit of the Scout Oath and Law, will be maintained by all competitors.
    Any discussions between a driver and any official must be conducted in a courteous and calm manner.
    Any racing disputes will be between the driver and race officials only -- NO advocates.
    Adults are specifically prohibited from arguing with race officials.
    Failure to abide by these conduct rules will result in the immediate disqualification of the driver.

    Check-in Procedures

    Race officials will make a number of safety and procedural checks when you check-in on race day.

    Registration verification
    * Safety Belt is properly installed and will not cause the seat to come apart.
    * Brakes will be checked for holding power on a 30 degree slope with the rider belted in.
    * Helmet will be checked for proper fit.
    * Shoes will be checked.
    * Uniform will be checked.

    Fairness Rules Inspection
    * The car will be turned up on its end to inspect the bottom.
    * All kit parts must be present and properly assembled.
    * Steering must work properly.
    * Pitman arm must be adjusted to short position. This will have to go to repairs to be done.
    * No modifications to the wheels or other kit parts must have been made.
    * No Bearings have been added.
    * Initial weigh in for class assignment.
    * Wheel alignment check. Only wheels grossly out of alignment will be corrected.
    * Torque check - adjustment of front wheel bolts.
    * Loctite check /reapply.
    * Numbered bibs will be issued to drivers.
    * Car numbers will be checked. (numbers will be issued with kit)
    * Turn in the car to the "Pit crew" for safe keeping. No further modifications will be permitted, Only Repairs.

    Racing

    Each driver and car will be re-weighed immediately preceding each race.
    Drivers will be wearing helmets, knee pads, elbow pads, gloves and safety glasses during the weighing.
    Each registered driver will race in two or more heats.
    Each heat time will be recorded.
    Initial heats may be determined by test run times or by random number assignment.
    Heat times will be used to establish pairings in each subsequent heat. Times will be sorted into descending order then pairs which are repeat matches will be separated, and pairs which are using the same car will be shuffled to be at least three races apart, leaving the pairings for the next heat.
    Slowest heat times will run first in next round heats.
    Each Class will complete the round of heats before moving on to the next class.
    Driver match ups will not be repeated in subsequent heats except for finals.
    Best two times for each driver will be added to determine finalists.
    The four fastest times will be finalists.
    Finals will match each finalist against all others in three rounds.
    Times from earlier heats will not be used in the final scoring.
    Times from all three rounds of the finals will be totaled for each finalist to determine placements.

    Repair
    Should your car experience an accident, it may be moved to the repair pit. This area will be staffed with qualified personnel and tools and a limited supply of parts. They will help you to repair your car as well as conditions permit. The repair pit staff will determine whether or not a car is fit to race again.

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