PWD Rules in the Box Survey

This is a survey about the interpretation of the rules that are included in the Grand Prix Pinewood Derby Kit box. The motivation behind the survey includes reports that groups which tell their boys to "follow the rules in the box" range from very restrictive to very permissive. For instance, the Rules in the Box have been interpreted to mean "The wheels may not be altered in any way." to "The wheels may be turned, crowned or weighted in whatever manner the builder wishes, provided that they began as official wheels." On another issue, the range is from "The axle slots must be used substantially as is." to "The axles may be attached to the car in any convenient manner, provided that overall size and weight limitations are satisfied."

The following is the complete text of the insert from the current Official Grand Prix Pinewood Derby Kit. The text is divided into sentences. Beside each sentence are three buttons for you to select. They are intended to express how that sentence affects your racing. The buttons are:

No Impact - The sentence is considered only a suggestion for the builder or running the race event. It does not affect how the car is inspected or how the race is run.
Conduct - The sentence is considered a guideline for running the race event, but does not affect how the car is inspected.
Inspected - Each car is inspected for compliance with the sentence.

The form may question some answers. If the answer is as you intended, please note the item number and, if possible, explain the answer at the space provided at the bottom of the form. For instance, the form might question marking "S04 - Cars should be built by the Cub Scout with some adult guidance" as "Inspected". (I'd really like to know how to inspect that!) Explanations are voluntary, but will be very much appreciated.

Item Text from Grand Prix Pinewood Derby kit insert. Impact.

Explanations. Please include the item number reference.

Which of the following best describes your rules on wheels?
Wheels must be substantially unaltered from the original kit.
Wheels may be "trued" provided that the alteration is minimal.
Wheels may be lathe-turned providing that the tread profile is flat and the width is not reduced from the original kit wheels.
Wheels may be altered as desired, including substantial mass addition or removal and substantial changes to the tread profile.

Which of the following best describes your rules on use of the slots for axles?
Axles must be inserted into the slots with no change in slot location.
Axles must be inserted into the slots but slots may be moved as desired.
Axles may be attached to the car body in any manner desired provided that the original slot locations are retained.
Axles may be attached to the car body in any manner desired provided that the overall size and weight limits are satisfied.

Other local rules

Explicit directions received

Were you told to "Follow the Rules in the Box"? *
Yes!
No.

Please include your name and email address so that I may get clarification if needed.

Name:

Email Address: *

Please tell me your location.

These fields will help correlate multiple responses from the same area.

State:

BSA Council name: *
Does your response reflect interpretation in your Council races?
Yes!
No.
Don't know.
We have no Council race.

BSA District name: *
Does your response reflect interpretation in your District races?
Yes!
No.
Don't know.
We have no District race.

BSA Pack Number: *
Does your response reflect interpretation in your Pack races?
Yes!
No.
Don't know.
We have no Pack race.

Item	Text from Grand Prix Pinewood Derby kit insert.	Impact.
Explanations. Please include the item number reference.
Which of the following best describes your rules on wheels? Wheels must be substantially unaltered from the original kit. Wheels may be "trued" provided that the alteration is minimal. Wheels may be lathe-turned providing that the tread profile is flat and the width is not reduced from the original kit wheels. Wheels may be altered as desired, including substantial mass addition or removal and substantial changes to the tread profile.
Which of the following best describes your rules on use of the slots for axles? Axles must be inserted into the slots with no change in slot location. Axles must be inserted into the slots but slots may be moved as desired. Axles may be attached to the car body in any manner desired provided that the original slot locations are retained. Axles may be attached to the car body in any manner desired provided that the overall size and weight limits are satisfied.
Other local rules
Explicit directions received Were you told to "Follow the Rules in the Box"? * Yes! No.
Please include your name and email address so that I may get clarification if needed. Name: Email Address: *
Please tell me your location. These fields will help correlate multiple responses from the same area. State: BSA Council name: * Does your response reflect interpretation in your Council races? Yes! No. Don't know. We have no Council race. BSA District name: * Does your response reflect interpretation in your District races? Yes! No. Don't know. We have no District race. BSA Pack Number: * Does your response reflect interpretation in your Pack races? Yes! No. Don't know. We have no Pack race.

Copy and paste the page created by pressing the "Write Response File" button into your email program and send it to me. (This used to email from within the server, but (1) AOL broke the software but I didn't learn about it for a long time, (2) the forced site move lost that ability totally, (3) I received too many bad email addys AND (4) the reader didn't get a copy of the response sheet!)

Be sure to use the provided Subject line for prompt response.

Initial publication: 4/5/2001.
Updated: 10/19/2008 Site move, change to use email.