The District race also uses the lenient rules set. This will be the second year in a row with those rules at both the Pack and District level. We have done well under those rules. Den & Pack champ last year. 2nd in age group & 10th overall at district last year. If we want to participate under the two sets of rules, and be competitive, we will have to make a second car for the Council race.FatSebastian wrote:Agreed! The "lenient" rules were jzarvey's Ojibway District rules that his Pack uses, not the River North Pinewood Derby Rules.Stan Pope wrote:The River North Pinewood Derby Rules constrain all of those. [...] it doesn't seem reasonable to say, "(T)hey are effectively the BSA Rules-in-the Box."
I asked for and received clarification to rule 17 (Axles) and was told that if the outer diameter of the nail head is changed, it is an illegal axle.
I also asked for and received clarification on rule 19 (wheels) and was told to take the wheels out of the package and put them on the car. No work on any part of the wheel is allowed.
It was also brought to my attention that there is another document that is considered part of the rules that I had not noticed. It is called a "visual example of the rules" Check it out here.
Looks like Rule 19 in this "visual example of the rules" makes a traditional type Rail Rider illegal, no bent axles.
I talked with my scout about these rules and whether he wanted to race. He said that he doesn't want to because "I can't do anything to the car to make it go fast." He is used to truing his wheels, polishing bores, bending his axles, and tapering the heads of the axles. He said building this car would be boring. I am trying to help him change his mind, because the more I think about it, this could be an exiting challenge.
Time to search DT for some tricks of the on this type of ruleset.
I look forward to seeing everyone's opinions and any pointers in the right direction for a possible build of a car.