Howey in the Hills Pack 254

Racing Format

We will be racing using a Perfect-N schedule.  This scheduling method will ensure that each vehicle races the same number of times in each lane and that no racer will face some opponents significantly more than other opponents.

• Each racer will race in each lane.
• Each racer will race each other racer an equal number of times.
• The winner is determined by the fastest TOTAL accumulation of time from all heats.
• Place in each heat is not indicative of final standing.
• The slowest heat time is discarded.

Example:

Why don’t we use simple double elimination?  I can understand that?

A main goal for a race is to provide a fair race for the racers. A good set of rules aims to keep the competition competitive, but so too should the race scheduling method. How fair does it seem to the racer that is out after one or two races, while other racers run many more times? If you throw in the possibility of a "slow lane", then results are more up to chance than to how fast the car really was. Vehicle performance can also change over the course of a race, depending on a number of factors, which may very well affect the outcome of the race, but this may not be caught by elimination methods.

1.  
   • A Fair Race Method - A fair race method should fulfill these minimum criteria:
     1. All racers race in every lane of the track.
     2. All racers race an equal number of times in a round.
   • Note: Other methods, like Perfect-N Type Charts and Round Robin, go even further to get each racer to compete against a variety of other racers.
   • Why are Elimination Methods Still Used? - Good question. For the most part it boils down one or more of the following reasons:
     1. An organization has "always done it that way".
     2. It is a familiar method used in several sports competitions.
     3. Concern over taking too much time to conduct the race.
     4. The organization has no electronic timing system.

The first two are not very good reasons, the third, however, is a valid concern for races with a lot of competitors. Some non-elimination methods, like Stearns and Round Robin, can produce a large number of heats, but many other methods do not. Let's examine this a little further by comparing the number of heats for some different race scheduling methods.

Based on 64 racers, you can see below that some non-elimination methods do not significantly increase the total number of heats to be run.

* GrandPrix Race Manager (Software used to track the race) will ensure that within a round, each racer will end up running twice per lane on a 2 lane track. Racers will get no less than 4 runs, which is still better than the "two strikes you're out" with double elimination.

The fourth reason is the only real reason to consider elimination methods, but even this argument isn't too strong. A timing system can be built for under $100, so is within the reach of most organizations. Some or all of this cost can be covered by having materials and electronics experience donated.

Inspection points

1.     The car weight shall not exceed 5.0 ounces(141.75 g). The official race scale shall be considered final.

2.     The overall length of the car shall not exceed 7 inches.

3.     The overall width of the car shall not exceed 2 ¾” inches.

4.     The car must have 1 ¾” clearance between the wheels.

5.     The car must have 3/8” clearance underneath the body.

6.     The wood provided in the kit must be used. The block may be shaped any way that is desired.

7.     Official BSA wheels must be used. This includes the new colored wheels. The wheels may not be cut, drilled, beveled or rounded. You may remove the seam from the wheels.

8.     Official BSA axles must be used. They may be polished or dry lubricated.

9.     Wheel bearings, washers or bushings are prohibited.

10.  The car must not ride on any type of springs.

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

12.  No loose material of any kind, such as lead shot, may be used.

Rules

1.     Each car must pass inspection by the official inspection committee before it will be allowed to compete. The Inspection Committee has the responsibility to disqualify those cars that do not meet these specifications.

1. The car body may have no moving parts.
2. Track Rules:
   1. No Finish: If, during a race, no car reaches the finish line on the track, the car which went the farthest in its lane shall be declared as the heat winner.
   2. Car Interference: If, during a race heat, a car leaves its lane and, in doing so, interferes with another racer, then if applicable, 5 (five) minutes will be allowed to make repairs to the car and then the heat will be rerun.  If the problem occurs again, the car at fault will be assigned the maximum track time of 4.000 seconds and the heat will be rerun, without the interfering car.  (However, see 3e.)
   3. Car Leaves Lane: If, during a race heat, a car leaves its lane but proceeds down the track in a manner that does not interfere with its opponents and crosses the finish line, then the race will be called normally.  If the car doesn’t cross the finish line, then if applicable, 5 (five) minutes will be allowed to make repairs and then the heat will be rerun.  If the problem occurs again, the car at fault will be assigned the maximum track time of 4.000 seconds and the heat will be rerun, without the interfering car. (However, see 3e.)
   4. Car Leaves Track: If, during a race heat, a car leaves the track without interfering with its opponent then if necessary, 5 (five) minutes will be allowed to make repairs and then the heat will be rerun.  If the problem occurs again, the car at fault will be assigned the maximum track time of 4.000 seconds and the heat will be rerun, without the problem car. (However, see 3e.)
   5. Track Fault: If a car leaves its lane, the Official Starter will inspect the track and, if a track fault is found which caused the violation, the Official Starter will order the race heat to be rerun after the track is repaired.
   6. Car Repair: If, during the race, a wheel falls off or the car becomes otherwise damaged, then the Scout may, to the best of his ability, perform repairs with the assistance of his adult partner or a Pit Crewmember. If a car is damaged due to a track fault, or damage caused by another car or person, then the Race Commissioner, may allow additional repair assistance to the Scout.  All car repairs will be conducted in the “Pit Area” and will be limited to 5 (five) minutes or until the car is scheduled to race in its next heat, whichever is greater.
3. Construction of ALL entries MUST have begun AFTER last year's races.
4. Only one car may be registered by any person in the Pinewood Derby.
5. Only dry lubricants such as graphite or powdered Teflon "white lube" will be allowed for lubricating the wheels. Lubricants may not foul the track.
6. Only one lubrication is allowed before the final inspection.
7. Details such as the steering wheel, driver, decals, painting, and interior detail are permissible as long as these details do not exceed the maximum length, width, and weight specifications

Any decisions by the Cubmaster and/or Race Commissioner are FINAL!