The Pinewood Derby is a thrilling racing event where participants design, build, and race small wooden cars down a track powered only by gravity. It’s a fun and creative competition that encourages craftsmanship and sportsmanship.
Three categories of derby cars are available:
Standard ($15)
This is the primary series for the Cup. It involves the creation of cars with a standard set of rules to ensure creativity and fairness. See additional details and construction rules below.
Unlimited ($25)
This is the exhibition race series for the cup. Rules will be similar to the standard series, but will allow unlimited weight for cars competing. See additional details and construction rules below.
Show ($10)
This will be geared toward the appearance of the car. All entrants in the other two series can choose to compete in the show series as well. See construction rules below.
Winners will be determined by popular vote as chosen by participants and audience members. There will be five categories: Most Original, Most Realistic, Most Biblical, Funniest, and Best in Show.
Entry Fees
Participants will pay an entry fee to compete in the Endurance Cup. All proceeds beyond the cost of the event will go to support the Westminster SDA Pathfinder Club, youth programming and activities.
Within 24 hours of registering for the event, someone will contact you to arrange for pickup/delivery of the competition kit, including the base pinewood block, axles, and wheels.
Additional Details and Racing Format
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The series will allow a maximum of 42 cars to enter. Cars will compete in a series of races called heats. Each heat will have 3 cars randomly assigned to compete. All cars will race in a minimum of 2 heats. Each car will be assigned points based on its placement as it finishes each heat. 1st place earns 0 points, 2nd place earns 2 points and 3rd place earns 3 points. Cars will continue to compete until they reach the elimination threshold of 5 points. Once a car earns 5 points it is eliminated from competition. Competition and Elimination will continue until 9 Cars remain.
When not enough cars remain in any round to create equal heats with 3 cars each, cars will be chosen at random to fill a heat. Cars filling out the heat will not earn points.
Example Scoring and Elimination
Car #4 comes in 3rd in Round 1, earning 3 points. In Round 2 it comes in 3rd, earning 3 points. With 6 points total after round 2, car #4 is eliminated
Car #25 comes in 2nd in Round 1, earning 2 points. In Round 2 it comes in 2nd, earning 2 points. With 4 points total, it moves to Round 3 where it comes in 2nd and now with 6 points total is eliminated.
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This series will allow a maximum of 9 cars. This series will use a standard bracket system; cars will race in 3 randomly selected heats. The winner of each heat will proceed to a final race to determine the winner.
Construction Rules
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All entries must be created using a standard pinewood derby kit (provided by us following registration) and work must be completed by the entrant. All cars must be powered solely by gravity. Material including additional weights, wood, and decorations may be added unless otherwise noted or violates other rules.
All measurements in the rules represent the measurement of the complete car, with wheels attached.
Illegal Materials/additions:
a. Starting or finish line devices
b. Electronic or lighting devices
c. Glass or extremely fragile parts
d. Paint that is wet, smudges or extremely sticky
e. Sharp objects, sandpaper or abrasives on the bottom of car (We do not want any damage to the track)
f. Axles and/or wheels attached to any device that mechanically alters rotation and/or spin
g. Propellants
h. Any part of the car goes beyond the starting peg
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Length
Shall not exceed 7 inches
Width
Shall not exceed 2 3/4 inches
Height
Shall not exceed 3 inches *clearance between bottom of car and track shall be no less than 3/8 inches
Weight
Shall not exceed 5 ounces as weighed by the official inspection scale
Wheels/Axels
Wheels and Axels must be those issued with your kit and be unaltered/unmodified
Lubrication
Graphite powder is the only acceptable lubricant.
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Length
Shall not exceed 7 inches
Width
Shall not exceed 2 3/4 inches
Height
Shall not exceed 3 inches *clearance between bottom of car and track shall be no less than 3/8 inches
Weight
Unlimited
Wheels/Axels
Wheels and Axels must be those issued with your kit, but can be modified/altered
Lubrication
Graphite powder is the only acceptable lubricant.
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Length
Shall not exceed 7 inches
Width
Unlimited
Height
Unlimited
Weight
Unlimited
Wheels/Axels
N/A
Lubrication
N/A