San Diego 500

The San Diego 500 is a district and council-level pinewood derby race that competes the fastest racers in the San Diego - Imperial council. These five ounce cars are constructed by Cub Scouts who are between 7 and 10 years old and have won the privilege of representing their Pack at the annual run-off. Trophies are awarded to the first, second and third place finishers for each District and additional trophies for the top three council winners. All participants will receive certificates and participation ribbons. The San Diego - Imperial Council includes San Diego and Imperial counties

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

Every chartered Cub Scout Pack in the San Diego - Imperial Council may enter one (1) registered Tiger Cub, Wolf, Bear or Webelos Cub Scout. Only one Cub Scout per pack may be entered. There are no exceptions for larger units, ties, Pack errors or transferred winning cubs. This Scout is usually selected based on pack-level races that resulted in the fastest car and racer singled out of the field of all participants. Sometimes a runner-up is sent in the event the primary representative cannot attend. Each pack may submit the name of their winner to the council office using the application form included on the back sheet of the Scout Fair Leader's guide book. Cubmasters should have received this mailing during February, 2012.

The Cubmaster completes the form including the full name and address of the Cub Scout and Cubmaster's name and phone number. Incomplete, illegible or inaccurate information may delay or prevent the processing of your form. The form must be received no later than Friday, April 7th, 2012. All late registrations will be put on a standby list and those entrees will race on an as-available basis. To insure delivery of your forms during the few days before the deadline we recommend they be hand-delivered to the council office.

WHEN and WHERE?

The San Diego 500 is held in conjunction with the San Diego - Imperial Council Scout Fair. The Scout Fair will be held on Saturday, April 21st, 2012 in San Diego Qualcomm Stadium parking lot. The San Diego 500 race will be held under an awning marked by a checkered racing flag. Be sure to get an event map as you enter the activities area.

2012 San Diego 500 Car Specifications

1. WIDTH: Overall width of the car, including wheels, shall not exceed two and 3/4 inches (2.75"). The body width where the axles attach to the wheels shall not be less than one and 3/4 inches (1.75").

2. LENGTH: Overall car length may not exceed seven inches (7.00"). The kits often supply wood blanks longer than 7 inches.

3. HEIGHT: Overall car height may not exceed three inches (3.00"). This prevents tall cars from crashing into the finish line and electronic lane judge.

4. WEIGHT: Total weight of the car shall not exceed five (5.000 oz) ounces. (Verified by certified scale)

5. WHEELS: Only official Boy Scout Grand Prix racing wheels are allowed. All four (4) wheels must be used. Wheels may not be altered (rounded across the tread-surface, narrowed etc.) except for the removal of burrs. Wheels may not be lathe-turned, thinned, sawed, perforated or machined in any way. Outside wheel diameter should be no less than 1.175". Ready-made modified wheels are not allowed. Wheels must be attached so that there is a minimum of .375" (3/8") between the car bottom and the rolling surface to provide track lane-guide clearance. Color wheels (Red, Yellow, Orange, Blue and the original Black) are all legal wheels as long as they are the official "BSA PINEWOOD DERBY" wheels. Cubs may correct wheel hubs and axle openings using hand tools and jigs. Only the wheels of a pinewood car may touch the surface of the track and the associated lane guide.

6. AXLES: Only official BSA Grand Prix Pinewood Derby metal "nail" type axles are allowed. Axles may be lubricated but the use of wheel bearings, washers or bushings is strictly prohibited. Paper label 'hubcaps' may be used but the head ends of the axles must be available for judging when requested. Race officials will remove the labels for inspections purposes.

7. Lubricants. Dry lubricants such as graphite or BSA "AXLE LUBE" are allowed. Oils or other wet lubricants are not permitted.

8. SPRINGS: The car shall not ride on any type of spring or other suspension.

9. The car must be freewheeling and may not contain any type of auxiliary propulsion or utilize any type of starting device. (No jets, rubber bands, magnets, hooks, adhesives, springs, motors etc.)

10. DECORATIVE DETAILS may be added provided they do not exceed the maximum weight and dimensions for the car. (Decals, trim, characters and decorations are allowed if they meet the finished car size and weight rules.)

11. NO LOOSE MATERIALS: The car may be hollowed-out and built up to the maximum weight by the addition of wood or metal. Any additional materials must be securely built into the body or chassis. Mercury shall not be used for weight addition or other construction purposes as it is a health hazard.

12. Cars must be built using the BSA Pinewood Derby Car Kits. Additional metal must be used only for weight addition or decoration. Axles must be mounted into the wood body. No portion of other kits will be allowed except for decorative purposes. Structural strength is gained only from the wood body. No metal frames or metal axle support is permitted.

Many tools, car-parts and processes are available to help the Cub Scout create his derby car. Most of these are legal and may be used. However, please be aware that some tools or parts may create a car that is too heavy or wheels that are no longer legal. Avoid buying expensive specialty wheels that cannot be used in the race.

These racing specifications provide a standard test for all cars to comply. The requirements are designed to give Cub Scouts, with their parent's supervision, an equal opportunity to design and construct cars while still providing enough freedom to create unique and competitive cars.

Please don't submit cars for inspection with wet paint.

Please don't submit cars with excessive graphite on the wheels or body.

Each car will be weighed and inspected by the official inspection team before it competes. A work area and limited tools will be provided to make adjustments to cars that don't comply. The inspection team may disqualify any car that cannot meet the racing specifications. Once a car is officially checked in, no further lubrication, adjustments or work may be performed on it. District race winners may lubricate their cars before the council race.

Any racer (or parent of a racer) may appeal to the race committee for an interpretation of these regulations. The race committee, by majority vote, will be the final judge of these regulations.

1. Participants must be a registered and active Tiger, Wolf, Bear or Webelos Cub Scout in the San Diego - Imperial council at the time of their Cub Scout race. Registration will be verified.

2. One (1) Cub Scout will be selected by the Pack to represent the unit.

3. All packs must submit their application to the Boy Scout Service Center via the Cubmaster prior to the cutoff date (Two weeks before the Scout Fair) to compete. Packs who have not held their race prior to the cutoff date must submit an application listing car owner as "John Doe." You must notify the "500" chairperson by telephone as the participant is determined.

4. Each participant will race his car on the day of the Scout Fair. In case of sickness or emergency the Pack may send a substitute racer and/or car.

5. Only racers and San Diego 500 staff will be allowed in the racing area. Parents will be invited to join winning racers for awards.

6. Heats may be rerun at the discretion of race officials (I.E.: fouled track, broken car etc.). Wheel or axle repair during the race may be done if the fix can be made in less than three minutes. Any trim or weight that falls off during the race may not be replaced. If a car jumps the lane guide or fouls the track the race will be rerun. If the same car interferes again, it will lose that heat.

7. Unsportsmanlike conduct by any participant will be grounds for expulsion from the race area and elimination.

8. Finalists from each session will race at specified times to determine district winners. The district finalists will compete to determine the council winner. All races will be held on the day of the Scout Fair.

9. There will be a first, second and third place award for both district and council winners.

Any racer that re-lubricates his car, adds weight to his car or otherwise alters his car during the race will be immediately disqualified.

THE WINNERS for 2012 will be presented here

District	Place	Pack Number	Winner's Picture
Black Mountain	1st Place	Pack 642
	2nd Place	Pack 681
	3rd Place	Pack 624
Torrey Pines	1st Place	Pack 11
	2nd Place	Pack 4
	3rd Place	Pack 299
Heartland	1st Place	Pack 389
	2nd Place	Pack 362
	3rd Place	Pack 367
Mission	1st Place	Pack 19
	2nd Place	Pack 959
	3rd Place	Pack 975
Sweetwater	1st Place	Pack 151
	2nd Place	Pack 825
	3rd Place	Pack 853
Pacific Coast	1st Place	Pack 720
	2nd Place	Pack 765
	3rd place	Pack 797
Pacific Crest	1st Place	Pack 691
	2nd Place	Pack 678
	3rd Place	Pack 630
Scripps Mesa	1st Place	Pack 614
	2nd Place	Pack 1205
	3rd Place	Pack 1216
Santa Margarita	1st Place	Pack 752
	2nd Place	Pack 787
	3rd Place	Pack 702
Kit Carson	1st Place	Pack 658
	2nd Place	Pack 62
	3rd Place	Pack 609
Desert Trails	1st Place	Pack 4076
	2nd Place	No Entry
	2nd Place	No Entry
	3rd Place	No entry
	3rd Place	No entry
Council Final	1st Place	Pack 691
	2nd Place	Pack 658
	3rd Place	Pack 151

The last race of the day for the fastest cars in the council. The final preparation by the racers under the watchful eyes of their parents. Win or lose, everyone had fun and walked away better for the experience.

The San Diego 500 Pinewood Derby Race

San Diego-Imperial Council

WHAT IS THE SAN DIEGO 500?

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

WHEN and WHERE?

2012 San Diego 500 Car Specifications