2008 San Antonio Section

Pinewood Derby

March 8, 2008

 

 

 

General Information:

 

Since the Pow wow theme this year is Commandos for Christ.  In keeping with the theme we need you to use your creativity to design and build Gravity Fueled Ground Assault Vehicles (GFGAV) to take into battle on the 6-lane torture track.   The GFGAVs are required to have a commando/military look and can have an artificial firing system.  A camouflage paint scheme is desirable as appropriate for the vehicle.  GFGAVs can be air, land or sea attack vehicles.

 

Registration:  Saturday Morning from 09:00 to 10:00 – Battles begins at 10:30

Cost:  $10.00 per registered GFGAV, one car per person per class – Receive a $4.00 DISCOUNT if you pre-register before March 1st 2008.  Only one Battle Victory will be awarded per person (if their GFGAVs take 2nd and 3rd – only the 2nd place will be awarded and the 4th place will be awarded 3rd etc.)

 

Really Cool Combat Victory Trophies/Medals and/or Ribbons will be awarded in the following categories:

 

·         Fastest GFGAV Ranger Kids, Discovery Rangers, Adventure Rangers, Expedition Rangers, Adult/Commander, and Missionettes.   First, Second, and Third place victory Trophies/Medals and/or Ribbons will be awarded in each division including the Adult/Commander

 

·         The TERMINATOR Award for the overall fastest GFGAV – (Adult/Commander and Unlimited division excluded)

·         Best designed ground GFGAV, Best designed air GFGAV, Best designed sea GFGAV, Best designed GFGAV Adult entry and the Section Commander’s Favorite.

 

·         "Cars with straight axles will be allowed to race in an "Unlimited" Category.  First, Second, and Third place victory Trophies/Medals and/or Ribbons will be awarded in each division including the Adult/Commander.

 

Official Gravity Fueled Ground Assault Vehicles Construction Regulations

 

1)      All GFGAVs must be constructed from the materials contained within the Pinewood Derby kit. (You must use the nails, wheels, and wood parts provided in the kit & no straight axles).  Any kit (Boy Scouts, GPH, etc) is acceptable.

 

2)      The GFGAVs are required to have a commando/military look. Details such as the steering wheel, decals, guns, rocket launchers, etc., are encouraged as long as they do not exceed the maximum length, width, and weight specifications.  A camo paint scheme is desirable as appropriate for the vehicle.  GFGAVs can be air, land or sea attack vehicles.

 

3)      The overall length of the GFGAV cannot exceed 7 inches.

 

4)      The overall width of the GFGAV cannot exceed 2 3/4 inches

 

5)      The width of the GFGAV must not be less than 1 3/4 inches at the points where the axles are to be inserted.

 

6)      The height of the GFGAV must not exceed 3 inches at any point.

 

7)      GFGAV ground clearance must be no less than 3/8 inches in order that clearance between the underside of the GFGAV and the guide rail of the racetrack is maintained.  Do not place protruding weights, etc. on the underside of the GFGAV.

 

8)      The maximum weight of a GFGAV is 5.5oz.  No loose materials of any kind are permitted.  Any attached weight must be securely built into or onto the GFGAV.  Nothing may be taped to the GFGAV.  The weight of the GFGAVs will be checked at registration on our scales.  The weight indicated by our scales is official.

 

9)      The GFGAV must operate on gravity only.  No motors, rubber bands, springs, etc.are allowed.

 

10)     No designs will be allowed that enables the front of the GFGAV to extend past the starting gate post.  The middle front of each GFGAV is to be the longest point.

 

11)     Washers and bearings are prohibited on wheels, as are solid axles.

 

12)     Powdered graphite is the only lubricant that can be used.

 

13)     The GFGAV shall not ride on any type of springs.

 

14)     The GFGAV must be freewheeling, with no starting devices

 

15)     No loose materials of any kind (such as lead shot) are allowed on the GFGAV.

 

16)     Besides light sanding on the surface of the wheels where they contact the track, you cannot in ANY way change the basic configuration of the wheels.  They must look just as they did when the kit was purchased i.e. no “crowning” or other wheel surface modifications.

 

17)     The GFGAV Officers In Charge must inspect the GFGAV before it may compete.  The Officers In Charge have the right to disqualify any GFGAV that do not meet these specifications.  If a GFGAV fails inspection once, it will only be allowed one additional re-inspection. If it fails the second inspection it will not be allowed to compete in the racing category but still be allowed to compete in the design category.

 

18)     Once a GFGAV passes inspection, it is placed in the Battle Preparation Zone where only the commanders in charge of the GFGAV battles are allowed to handle them.  If this rule is broken, the GFGAV will be disqualified.  If the GFGAV is damaged while in battle or handling, repairs may be made in the Battle Preparation Zone by the Battle GFGAV owner.

 

19)     If a GFGAV leaves the battle field, runs out of its lane, interferes with another GFGAV, loses an axle, etc., the heat will be rerun.  If the same GFGAV gets into trouble on the second run, the GFGAV is disqualified and automatically loses the race.  If, on the second run, another GFGAV is interfered with, the heat will be rerun a third time but without the disqualifying GFGAV.

 

Unlimited Class Rules

 

The previous rules apply with the following changes

 

·        Overall length can be up to 9 inches

 

·        Overall Height is 3 inches (to clear light at finish line)

 

·        Maximum weight of a car is 7 oz

 

·        Axles and wheels can be modified without limitations

 

·        Any lubricant can be used