Presented by the Navajo
2005 GHV Pinewood Derby
Pinewood Derby Rules
Please refer any questions to: Glenn Selbo – Navajo Chief (grselbo@aol.com)
All disputes regarding application of Technical Standards will be decided by the GHV Nation Chief and are considered final.
Technical Standards
The inspection judges at race-day check-in are responsible to evaluate each car's adherence to the
technical standards. Their decision may be appealed to the Track Chairman, who, after consultation with
the inspection Team, the Princess, and the parent/assistant, shall render a final, binding decision.
T-1. Material: Race cars shall be constructed for this event from the parts contained in the Official Grand
Prix Pinewood Derby Kit (referred to below as the kit) as supplied by the Y.M.C.A. Materials from the kit
may be supplemented but not replaced.
T-2. Weight: Race cars may weigh no more than six (6) ounces (total weight) as determined on the official
scales during race day check-in.
T-3. Wheels and Axles: The car shall roll on the wheels from the kit. The wheels shall turn about the axle nails from the kit. The axle screws shall be firmly affixed to the wood of the car body. It must be obvious
to the judges that the wheels and the screws from the kit are being used.
T-4. Size: Race cars may be no longer than 7 ½ (7.5) inches, nor wider than 2 3/4 (2.75) inches, nor
taller than 3 inches, as determined by the officials during race day check-in. (Underside clearance of at
least 3/8 (0.375) inches and inside wheel to wheel clearance of at least 1 3/4 (1.75) inches is recommended, so that the car will run on the racetrack. Adequate clearance is the responsibility of the race car builder.)
T-5. Weights and Attachment: Weight may be added to the car and will be considered part of the car for purposes of all measurements. "Weight" is considered to be any material on the car that is not provided in the kit. Weights shall be passive, i.e. nonmoveable, non-magnetic, non-electric, non-sticky, etc.
T-6. Wheels: Wheel treatment (hub and tread smoothing and polishing) may not result in substantial removal of mass nor in reducing the tread (track contact) width from the original kit wheels. Some of the original "tread marks" on the wheel face must be intact, i.e. apparent to the inspector.
T-7. Unacceptable Construction: The following may NOT be used in conjunction with the wheels or axles:
hubcaps, washers, inserts, sleeves, bearings.
T-8. Gravity Powered: The race car may not be constructed or treated in such a way that the track's starting mechanism imparts momentum to the car. (For instance, this provision disqualifies cars with
sticky substances on the front of the car and protrusions which may catch on the starting pin.)
T-9. Lubricants: Lubricants may not foul the track.
Conduct of the Races
Track officials are responsible for the proper conduct of the races. Decisions of track officials on questions of rules interpretations and procedure may be appealed to the Track Chairman. Decisions of track officials on questions of fact may not be appealed beyond the Track Chairman.
C-1. Inspection Gages: The same 6 oz. scale will be used on all cars. Please stress this fact to all participants. They should be prepared to make adjustments to their cars if necessary.
C-2. Impounding: Once the car has been inspected and weighed, the Princess will place the car on the
table provided, and must not lubricate or otherwise improve that car between or during the race.
C-3. Car Handling Responsibility: Official Track Workers (authorized Pit Crew) shall be responsible to
stage all cars at the starting line, to retrieve the cars at the finish line (after the race has been called) and
return the cars to the pit after their heat is finished.
C-4. Lane Assignment: shall be determined by the Track Officials.
C-5. Car Repair: If, during the race, a wheel falls off or the car becomes otherwise damaged, then the
Princess/Dad may, to the best of their ability, perform repairs. They may seek advice for repairing the car,
but may receive no other assistance. If a car is damaged due to track fault or due to fault of another
car or participant, then the Track Chairman, at his sole discretion, may allow additional repair assistance.
C-6. Car Interference: If, during a race heat, a car leaves its lane and, in so doing, interferes with another racer, then the car at fault shall be declared to have lost the race heat. (However, see C-9.)
C-7. Car Leaves Lane: If, during a race heat, a car leaves its lane but proceeds down the track in a manner that does not interfere with its opponent, then the race will be called normally. (However, see C-9.)
C-8. Car Leaves Track: If, during a race heat, a car leaves the track without interfering with its opponent,
it shall be considered to have ended its heat at that point. (However, see C-9.)
C-9. Track Fault: If a car leaves its lane, at his sole discretion, the Track Chairman may inspect the track
and, if a track fault is found which probably caused the initial violation, the Track Chairman may order the
race heat to be rerun after the track is repaired.
C-10. No Finishers: If, during a race heat, no car reaches the finish line on the track, the car which went the farthest in its lane shall be declared as the heat winner.
C-11. Appeals: The Princess/Dad must make all questions of rules interpretations, procedure and fact to he track officials promptly. A station will be designated for this purpose.