Any reason why my son's car can't have three wheels instead of four?

[1reason]

Here is a copy of the district's rules. Any suggestions on how to maximize speed within these rules is appreciated.

I'm not totally sure about running three wheels (if four one will be lifted), because of "political reasons". It's our first time at districts, so for all I know all the cars will only have three wheels, but again, love feedback.

*****************

All participants must be made aware that the instructions enclosed in the Official BSA

Kit are only suggestions. While a Pack may establish any rules it likes for use at its own

Derby events, the District rules included in this document shall be in effect at all District

races. Failure to adhere to them will result in disqualification (and disappointment) if

scouts advance to the District race.

1) The pinewood derby car shall be constructed from official BSA components. The

block of wood, wheels, and axle(nails) may be purchased in a kit or separately but

must be official BSA components. The use of any other wood block, wheels, or

axles is strictly prohibited. Additional wood and other materials may be added to

the wood block to add accessories to the car.

2) All cars entered in the Derby are to be built and finished by the Cub Scout during

the six months prior to the District Race. We encourage the car to be built brand

new.

3) The Cub Scout should be present at the Derby for his car to run. However, if an

emergency arises another Cub Scout of the same rank may serve as a substitute

and race the car on behalf of the Cub Scout who cannot attend.

 

[GravityX]

If you have to run four wheels, place the forth wheel in a strategic spot, like on top of the car. Countersink it into the body and retain it with an axle. Your car will now have 4 wheels mounted on the car. /images/boards/smilies/cool.gif /images/boards/smilies/smile.gif

 

[Rocket car]

Looks like nitro wheels BSA axles and oil would be fine.

 

[Rocket car]

If you have to run four wheels, place the forth wheel in a strategic spot, like on top of the car. Countersink it into the body and retain it with an axle. Your car will now have 4 wheels mounted on the car. /images/boards/smilies/cool.gif /images/boards/smilies/smile.gif

When we went to districts I was dared to show up with 3wheels on the car. I was chicken and didn't need the attention. We still beat everyone by feet.

 

[Kinser Racing]

If you have to run four wheels, place the forth wheel in a strategic spot, like on top of the car. Countersink it into the body and retain it with an axle. Your car will now have 4 wheels mounted on the car. /images/boards/smilies/cool.gif /images/boards/smilies/smile.gif

When we went to districts I was dared to show up with 3wheels on the car. I was chicken and didn't need the attention. We still beat everyone by feet.

This is the way I would feel about it. I be scared to get my kid DQ'd.

 

[GravityX]

If you have to run four wheels, place the forth wheel in a strategic spot, like on top of the car. Countersink it into the body and retain it with an axle. Your car will now have 4 wheels mounted on the car. /images/boards/smilies/cool.gif /images/boards/smilies/smile.gif

When we went to districts I was dared to show up with 3wheels on the car. I was chicken and didn't need the attention. We still beat everyone by feet.

This is the way I would feel about it. I be scared to get my kid DQ'd.

I would have back up car ready just in case.

 

[ngyoung]

I think they keep it just for political reasons. I personally don't see a problem teaching your scout how the the fastest cars are made and trying to follow their build process. I wished BSA would do more to provide access for kids to experiment and test their cars so they can see what works. I don't like how it is now where you go off and build then cross their fingers on race day that their car runs good without ever getting a chance to make changes. I know some troops offer test days but are usually really limited.

 

[Rocket car]

If you read up on this board alot, you'll smoke all anyways.

 

[1reason]

If you have to run four wheels, place the forth wheel in a strategic spot, like on top of the car. Countersink it into the body and retain it with an axle. Your car will now have 4 wheels mounted on the car. /images/boards/smilies/cool.gif /images/boards/smilies/smile.gif

Thanks, I thought of that, but the problem is I won't know until I show up. I think we will either have a second car, or more likely, we will have a wheel ready to add to the car

 

[Obsessedderbydad]

Contact your rules official and ask him his interpretation of the rule

 

[1reason]

Looks like nitro wheels BSA axles and oil would be fine.

So sorry, I copied and pasted, but it appears all the rules didn't show up (I wouldn't have asked if that was all the rules...lol)

 

[1reason]

Ok, second try and thanks for looking:
(side note, I hate PDFs)

All participants must be made aware that the instructions enclosed in the Official BSA

Kit are only suggestions. While a Pack may establish any rules it likes for use at its own

Derby events, the District rules included in this document shall be in effect at all District

races. Failure to adhere to them will result in disqualification (and disappointment) if

scouts advance to the District race.

1) The pinewood derby car shall be constructed from official BSA components. The

block of wood, wheels, and axle(nails) may be purchased in a kit or separately but

must be official BSA components. The use of any other wood block, wheels, or

axles is strictly prohibited. Additional wood and other materials may be added to

the wood block to add accessories to the car.

2) All cars entered in the Derby are to be built and finished by the Cub Scout during

the six months prior to the District Race. We encourage the car to be built brand

new.

3) The Cub Scout should be present at the Derby for his car to run. However, if an

emergency arises another Cub Scout of the same rank may serve as a substitute

and race the car on behalf of the Cub Scout who cannot attend.

4) On the day of the Derby, before final registration, the Cub Scout may add dry

graphite only to the axle and wheels. No other lubrication is allowed. This is the

only time the car can be lubricated during the Derby.

5) The car will only be handled by track officials after it is registered. After the race,

the car will be returned to the judge’s table. No repairs or modifications can be

made after inspection or during the race.

6) Decisions of the Derby Committee are final.

7) Each car must pass all Derby Committee inspections before being registered and

allowed to race.

8) If during inspection, or at any time before the start of the race, a car does not meet

these specifications, the builder will be allowed to correct these areas of violation

as long as modifications are completed and inspected before the end of the 1st

heat

of the race.

9) If a car leaves the track during a heat, the heat will be declared no contest and will

be rerun. If the same car leaves the track again during the rerun heat, it will be

disqualified. The only exception to this rule is if track debris or the track itself

causes the problem.

PINEWOOD DERBY ASSEMBLY

SPECIFICATIONS

DEFINITIONS

Cub Scout Construction: Adults may provide guidance, construction and safety tips, or

demonstrate steps involved in construction, but should keep in mind that the Derby is a

race matching the products of 7 to 10 year-old boys. Safety considerations must be

observed at all times and no Scout should be asked to do more than is deemed reasonable

and safe.

Wheels: Only the Official BSA wheels issued in the calendar year may be used. The

wheel tread surface may not be altered except being a flat surface. FLAT MEANS FLAT.

Rounding the tread area to minimize wheel surface contact is not allowed. Wheels judged

to be in violation of these rules will have to be replaced before the car will be allowed to

race. No narrowing or rounding of the wheels or tread surface is allowed.

Axles: Only the axles supplied in the BSA kits may be used. Polishing to remove small

burrs is allowed. Axles judged to be in violation of these rules must be replaced before

the car will be allowed to race.

FINAL CAR ASSEMBLY

1) The front of the car may not have slots or indentations past the starting position of

the car. The front center of the car must touch the starting pin.

2) The width of the car can be no less than 1 ¾ inches and no more than 2 ¾ inches.

3) The length of the car can be no less than 5 inches and no more than 7 inches.

4) The wheel base may be altered as long as the wheels do not extend past the body

of the car. The wheels must stay within the car body and no part of the wheel shall

be outside the body of the car.

5) The inside spacing between each wheel pair must be 1 ¾ inches and the wheels

must be mounted at points on the body that will support this spacing.

6) The clearance under the car shall be 3/8 inch with the wheels on.

7) The weight of the car shall not exceed 5.00 ounces, as measured by the District

Derby Committee Scale.

8) Wheel bearings, washers, and bushings are prohibited.

9) Any details added must be within the length, width, and weight specifications.

The wheels shall not be covered with any substance, decal, or material that would

obscure the wheels during inspection.

10) The car shall not ride on any type of spring.

11) The car must be freewheeling, with no starting devices.

12) No loose materials of any kind (such as lead shot or coins) are allowed in or on

the car. No liquid, moving weights or hazardous materials will be allowed.

Revised March 2014

ADDITIONAL RESOURCE

 

[IAE Racing]

They keep talking about pairs of wheels. ie. distance between. So, while I don't see, "must have all four wheels" like seen elsewhere, it implies all four wheels.

This appears to be the rule set that was rewrote to make clarifications of an old rule set. In doing so, little progress made.

 

[Obsessedderbydad]

Under assembly #5 talking about spacing between the wheel pairs makes me believe you must have 4 wheels

 

[1reason]

Ok, so you guys would enter a car with four wheels, right?

 

[speed bump]

I would. I tried that two years ago had to put fourth wheel on car.

 

[IAE Racing]

I would also. We checked into a race this year with three wheels on a car by the race chair. After the cars were impounded, she got pressure from others, she buckled, I had to run home to make mods. We still won both races with four wheels, but it was disappointing all the same when the race cooridinator had told us we could employ all talents open to the rules. There was nothing said about needing all for wheels. That race has a pretty open rule set but no one pushes the boundries.

Our girls scout race didn't spec four wheels either. Didn't even mess with it. If you're afraid someone else is coming with 3 either build two or make so you can add or take off easy.

Guess what I'm trying to say is just build a four wheel car to beet any threes that shows.