Virtual Grand Championship Race Day Procedures

Jarrod Blundy
Jarrod Blundy
Last updated 

Virtual Pinewood Derby

The Pinewood Derby is a beloved tradition in Cub Scouts, and we want every Scout to have the opportunity to race the car they put their hard work into down a track! Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Cub Scout Program Team recognizes that there are plenty of Cub Scouts who were not able to compete in their Pack’s race. Furthermore, we’re want to provide a chance for the hardcore Pinewood fans to race against other cars across the council to determine the Lake Erie Council Grand Champion. However, with the stay-at-home order still in place, and in keeping with our focus on safety, a creative solution was needed.

We’re excited to announce the Lake Erie Council Virtual Pinewood Derby Grand Championship! This new kind of race will allow every Scout who wants to participate to have their car race against others from the LEC in a live-streamed event, while staying safe and social, but physically distant.

  • Where: Lake Erie Council Unit Service Center
  • When: June 13, 2020, Streamed live from 12pm until a Grand Champion emerges!
  • How: Car drop-off ahead of the race, then impartial Race Officials race the cars elimination-style live on camera and streamed to the entire council!
  • Cost: $15 per racer

Entering Your Car & Drop-off

Racers will sign up for the Virtual Grand Championship through an online registration system prior to the car drop-off. In the registration, you will describe your car with identifying features. We also recommend inscribing your name and Pack number somewhere on the car. By entering the race, you will also need to give the Race Officials permission to make minor adjustments to your car in the case that it falls outside of the race specifications (e.g. add weight, adjust wheels, etc.).

Registered cars may be dropped off at the Unit Service Center in downtown Cleveland during operating hours up until Wednesday, June 10, four days prior to the race. They must be a gallon zip-lock bag with the racer's name, pack number, and contact information relating to an online registration. This will allow time for the Race Officials to sanitize, check in each car, and review that it meets our race guidelines. We will also label each car for easy identification during the race, and to ensure each car makes it back to the correct owner (e.g. mark the bottom with sharpie, or a sticker).

Cars that are dropped off without an online registration will not be considered for the race.

Semi-Finals Races

Every Lake Erie Council Cub Scout is eligible to submit one car to race in the Virtual Grand Championship, regardless of the own Pack race status. The car must have been made for the 2019-2020 race season and follow the LEC car specifications.

Cars will be split up according to the den rank of the Cub Scout to race against other races in the same den rank.
  • Each car will race two times against competitors in random lanes. Each race is timed with electronic equipment. In the event the equipment fails, the heat(s) will be re-run.
  • The average of the car’s times will determine the den rank standings for each racer.
  • Racing rounds will be created based on attendance, check-in and inspection order, and other event and logistic factors.
  • At the conclusion of a round, that Round’s standings will be displayed. Multiple Rounds may be required to accommodate all entrants.
Determining Semi-Finals Winners: The top 8 fastest cars from each den rank will receive a medal. The top 3 fastest cars from each den rank of each finals race will be awarded 1st-3rd place trophies and move on to the LEC Grand Champion Fast Finale. This will be the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place Lion, Tiger, Wolf, Bear, Webelos, & Arrow of Light Scouts.

Every competitor will receive a Pinewood Derby Championship Series Patch and personalized Certificate of Participation (e.g. “The Best Superhero Car”).

LEC Grand Champion Fast Finale Races

The top 3 fastest cars from each den rank (Semi-Finals Race Winners, 1st-3rd place) will compete in the Grand Champion Fast Finale. This is an elimination race in which lane placement will be provided at random for each of the Fast Finale rounds. 
  • All 18 winner cars race once in each round to determine the top 12. (Three rounds of 6 cars each. The 12 fastest times move on.)
  • The top 12 race to determine the top 8. (Two rounds of 6 cars each. The 8 fastest times move on.)
  • The top 8 race to determine the top 3.
  • The top 3 race one last time to get the fastest car and overall LEC Grand Champion.

Best Car Design

Each car will also be eligible for the Most Creative Design Award. Our Race Officials will judge each design for its creativity in woodworking, paint job, theme, and overall fit and finish.

Awards & Recognition

  • Every participant receives an LEC Pinewood Derby Championship Series patch, and a participation certificate personalized to their car’s design. (eg. “The Best Superhero Car”)
  • The top three winners from each den rank of the semi-finals race receives a 1st-3rd trophy.
  • The Grand Champion Fast Finale Race winner receives a trophy and Scout Shop gift card.
  • The Best Car Design winner receives a trophy and Scout shop gift card.
Awards will be conferred at the conclusion of the Fast Finale with a virtual ceremony. Medals, trophies, certificates, and patches will be available upon pickup of the car. 

Race Operations and Miscellaneous Rules

  • If a car suffers a mechanical problem during a race (i.e loses an axle, breaks a wheel, etc...), the designated adult Garage Official will have up to three minutes to fix the car. The race will NOT be rerun, nor can ongoing races be delayed.
  • If a car leaves the track during a race, the race will be rerun. If the same car leaves the track a second time during, the car will be judged “last place” in that race.
  • If a car leaves its lane, Race Officials, at their discretion, may inspect the track and, if a track fault is found which may have caused the initial violation, the Race Officials, at their discretion, may order the race to be rerun after the track is repaired.
  • In the event of Starter interference, the race will be re-staged and rerun.
  • The track’s electronic timers will record finishing place for all cars in each race. In the event of technical difficulties, the Finish Line Judges will determine the order of finish.
  • In the event of a mid-race timer failure, the Official Race Committee will determine the best approach to racing based on the circumstances. All decisions of the Official Race Committee are final.
  • Track Officials are responsible for the proper conduct of the races. Good online sportsmanship and behavior is expected for all attendees. Race Officials may ask anyone not following this rule to leave and/or block them.
Please make note that all decisions of the Official Race Committee are final.