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Pinewood Derby Rules

Official Pack53 Pinewood Derby Rules

Pack Members should pay close attention to RULE NUMBER 5!

  • Rule 5 is part of official BSA guidelines, but isn't specifically mentioned in the specs that come with the Pinewood Derby kit!

(Full rules and guidelines are published in booklet form by the BSA.  The Pack has a copy of this booklet if you wish to see it.)

  1. WIDTH: Car cannot be more than 2 ¾ inches wide.

  2. LENGTH: Car cannot be more than 7 inches long.

  3. WEIGHT: Finished car cannot weigh more than 5 ounces. The weight shown on the Official Race Scale is final. All car parts and materials should be firmly attached. To increase car’s weight, use wood or metal only.

  4. WHEEL PLACEMENT: The car body must be at least 1 ¾ inches wide at the axles. It must clear the ground by at least 3/8 of an inch. If desired, you may change the wheelbase (distance between front and rear axles.

  5. WHEELS AND AXLES: Use only Official Scout Grand Prix wheels and axles. You can polish the axles. You may lightly sand the wheels to remove the molding seam on the tread, but the treads must be left FLAT.  No other wheel changes are allowed. You may not use bearings, washers, or brushings.

  6. SPRINGING: The car may not ride on any type of springs.

  7. DETAILS: Details such as steering wheel, driver, decals, painting, and interior details are okay. The finished car with details must meet the maximum length, width and weight rules. Cars with wet paint will not be accepted.

  8. ATTACHMENTS: The car must be free-wheeling with no starting attachments.

  9. LUBRICATION: Use powdered graphite only. You may not use any other lubricant, including oils and silicone sprays. No graphite may be applied after car inspection.

  10. INSPECTION: Each car must pass inspection by the Official Inspection Committee before it can compete. The inspectors will disqualify any car not meeting these rules. Any adult or scout may appeal the findings of the inspectors to the Race Committee Chair, whose decision is final.

Race Ground Rules

 

  1. Cars must be brought for inspection on Friday April 3rd between 6:30 and 8:30 PM. Tools and supplies for modification will be available at that time.
  2. Once the car has passed inspection, it will be kept by the race officials until the conclusion of the race the following day.
  3. Prizes are given for top three Pack finishers, top finisher for each Den, and for best design/creativity.
  4. A race for family members of Cubs who wish to enter a car will be held. All official rules apply to these entrants as well.