Official Pinewood Derby Rules
Length, Width and Clearance
a) The maximum overall width (including wheels and axles) shall not exceed 2-3/4 inches.
b) The minimum width between the wheels shall be 1-3/4 inches so the car will clear the center guide strip on the track.
c) The minimum clearance between the bottom of the car and the track surface shall be 3/8 inch so the car will clear the center guide strip on the track.
d) The maximum overall length shall not exceed 7 inches.
e) The wheel-base (distance between the front and rear axles) may not be changed from the kit body distance of 4-1/4 inches.
f) You may use the block of wood provided or purchase a pre-made body, as long as it conforms to specifications.
Weight and Appearance
a) Weight shall not exceed 5 ounces. The car maybe hollowed out and built up to the maximum weight by the addition of wood or metal, provided the material is securely built into the body or firmly affixed to it. No liquids or loose materials of any kind are permitted in or on the car.
b) The reading of the official scale will be considered final. The official scale will be available on the evening prior to the race if you need to check the weight of your car. If your car is above the specified weight at registration time, you will be asked to remove weight in order to pass inspection.
c) Details such as steering wheel, driver, spoiler, decals, painting and interior details are permissible as long as these details do not exceed the maximum length, width or weight specifications.
d) Cars with wet paint will not be accepted.
Body, Wheels and Axles
a) No straight axles may be used. Wheels must be affixed separately using nails.
b) Wheels may be lightly sanded to smooth out molding imperfections on the tread area. This light sanding is the only modification allowed. Beveling, tapering, thin sanding, wafering or lathe turning of the wheels is prohibited.
c) Axles may not be altered in any way except for polishing.
d) Wheel bearings, washers, bushings, and hub caps are prohibited.
e) The car shall not ride on any type of springs.
f) The car must be free-wheeling, with no starting device or other type of propulsion.
Lubrication
a) Only graphite or powdered Teflon "white lube" will be allowed for lubricating the wheels.
Ground Rules and Competition
a) The car must have been built during the current year (the school year in which the Derby is held). Cars that have competed in a previous Derby are not permitted.
b) If a car jumps the track, the race will be run again. If the same car jumps the track a second time, that car will automatically lose that race.
c) If a car leaves its lane and interferes with another car, the race will be run again. If the same car leaves its lane a second time and interferes with another car, the interfering car will automatically lose that race.
d) If a car becomes damaged and can be repaired in a reasonable amount of time (a few minutes), the race will be run again. If not, the damaged car will not race in that heat.
e) Scouts may only handle their own car during race time. Picking up other scout’s cars is prohibited.
f) The official race is open to all Cub Scouts registered in this Pack. Siblings and parents may run in a separate race against other siblings and parents. Sibling and Parent cars will not be inspected for size and weight, but must be free wheeling with no means of propulsion.
Inspection and Registration
Each car must pass a technical inspection before it may compete. Technical inspection and registration of cars will occur on race day. If a car does not pass inspection, the owner will be informed of the reason his car did not pass (too long, too heavy, altered wheel base, or the like) and if it can be modified prior to race time, it will be reinspected and allowed to be registered if acceptable. No car may be altered in any way after it has been registered. Damage repair is allowed during the Derby only if it does not delay the race, but no modifications shall be allowed. Unsportsmanlike conduct by any participant or spectator will be grounds for expulsion from the competition and/or the race area.
a) The maximum overall width (including wheels and axles) shall not exceed 2-3/4 inches.
b) The minimum width between the wheels shall be 1-3/4 inches so the car will clear the center guide strip on the track.
c) The minimum clearance between the bottom of the car and the track surface shall be 3/8 inch so the car will clear the center guide strip on the track.
d) The maximum overall length shall not exceed 7 inches.
e) The wheel-base (distance between the front and rear axles) may not be changed from the kit body distance of 4-1/4 inches.
f) You may use the block of wood provided or purchase a pre-made body, as long as it conforms to specifications.
Weight and Appearance
a) Weight shall not exceed 5 ounces. The car maybe hollowed out and built up to the maximum weight by the addition of wood or metal, provided the material is securely built into the body or firmly affixed to it. No liquids or loose materials of any kind are permitted in or on the car.
b) The reading of the official scale will be considered final. The official scale will be available on the evening prior to the race if you need to check the weight of your car. If your car is above the specified weight at registration time, you will be asked to remove weight in order to pass inspection.
c) Details such as steering wheel, driver, spoiler, decals, painting and interior details are permissible as long as these details do not exceed the maximum length, width or weight specifications.
d) Cars with wet paint will not be accepted.
Body, Wheels and Axles
a) No straight axles may be used. Wheels must be affixed separately using nails.
b) Wheels may be lightly sanded to smooth out molding imperfections on the tread area. This light sanding is the only modification allowed. Beveling, tapering, thin sanding, wafering or lathe turning of the wheels is prohibited.
c) Axles may not be altered in any way except for polishing.
d) Wheel bearings, washers, bushings, and hub caps are prohibited.
e) The car shall not ride on any type of springs.
f) The car must be free-wheeling, with no starting device or other type of propulsion.
Lubrication
a) Only graphite or powdered Teflon "white lube" will be allowed for lubricating the wheels.
Ground Rules and Competition
a) The car must have been built during the current year (the school year in which the Derby is held). Cars that have competed in a previous Derby are not permitted.
b) If a car jumps the track, the race will be run again. If the same car jumps the track a second time, that car will automatically lose that race.
c) If a car leaves its lane and interferes with another car, the race will be run again. If the same car leaves its lane a second time and interferes with another car, the interfering car will automatically lose that race.
d) If a car becomes damaged and can be repaired in a reasonable amount of time (a few minutes), the race will be run again. If not, the damaged car will not race in that heat.
e) Scouts may only handle their own car during race time. Picking up other scout’s cars is prohibited.
f) The official race is open to all Cub Scouts registered in this Pack. Siblings and parents may run in a separate race against other siblings and parents. Sibling and Parent cars will not be inspected for size and weight, but must be free wheeling with no means of propulsion.
Inspection and Registration
Each car must pass a technical inspection before it may compete. Technical inspection and registration of cars will occur on race day. If a car does not pass inspection, the owner will be informed of the reason his car did not pass (too long, too heavy, altered wheel base, or the like) and if it can be modified prior to race time, it will be reinspected and allowed to be registered if acceptable. No car may be altered in any way after it has been registered. Damage repair is allowed during the Derby only if it does not delay the race, but no modifications shall be allowed. Unsportsmanlike conduct by any participant or spectator will be grounds for expulsion from the competition and/or the race area.
