Cub Scout Pack 767

Pinewood Derby Official Rules

Qualifications to race:

• All registered Pack 767 Lion, Tiger, Wolf, Bear, Webelos, and Arrow of Light Scouts (along with scout siblings, parents, or grandparents) are eligible to participate.

Materials:

• All scouts will receive the “Official Grand Prix Pinewood Derby Kit”, distributed by the Pack Committee.

Race Categories & Details:

• Each car will race four times - once on each lane.

• The slowest time will be thrown out and the fastest three times averaged.

• Scouts will race as a Pack. Trophies will be awarded to the top three finishers as a Pack first. Next, the remaining scouts will compare times per each Den and the top three finishers per Den will receive a medal.

• An Open Class race for siblings and other relatives will be held after the Pack races for any who wish to run the track.

• Scouts will also vote for three Scouts Choice awards among all cars : Best Design, Most Patriotic, and Best Scouting Theme.

New Work:

• Construction of all entries must have begun after the prior year’s Pinewood Derby Race. No car can run multiple years.

Single Entry per Person:

• Only one car may be registered by any person in the Pinewood Derby.

Inspection/Registration:

• Each car must pass a technical inspection before it may compete. Car Design Standards are outlined below. Technical inspection and registration of cars occurs between 9:00 AM and 10:55 AM on Race Day.

• A car CAN NOT be registered after 10:55 AM. No exceptions!

• Failure to Pass Inspection – If a car does not pass inspection, the owner will be informed of the reason their car did not pass. Cars which fail the initial inspection may be modified and re-inspected up until the 10:55 AM deadline.

Impound:

• No car may be altered in any way after it has been registered. After a car passes registration, it will be stored in the Staging Area by the Pinewood Derby Race Committee until the start of racing.

Car Design Standards

1. Pinewood Derby Kit: Each entry shall be constructed from an Official BSA Derby Car Kit for the current year. A new car must be constructed for each year.

2. Car Overall Dimensions: Each entry will be placed into a checking device. The overall length of the car shall not exceed 7 inches including accessories. The overall width of the car with axles/wheels installed shall not exceed 2 ¾ inches. The car must have a minimum of 1 ¾ inches of clearance between the wheels. The car must have a minimum of 3/8 inch clearance underneath the entire body so it does not rub on the track

3. Car Weight: The maximum weight of the car shall not exceed 5.0 ounces or 141.748 grams. The limit is strict 5 ounces with no “close enough” exceptions – the scale must read a maximum of 5.0 ounces or 141.748 grams. Given variability in scales, racers need to be aware that weighing to exactly 5 ounces on a different scale may result in over-weight at time of inspection and check-in, thus requiring weight to be removed or added to achieve 5 ounce maximum. If racers plan on adding weight at time of check-in, please be sure the weight is secured appropriately and any attached weights do not violate car specifications.

4. Car Body: The wood block provided with the kit must be used. The block may be shaped any way that is desired. Note the track utilizes a launching mechanism that holds the car in prelaunch position at the center of the front of the car. No part of the front of the car will be allowed to extend past the starting pin and the full 7 inches of car shall be behind starting pin.

5. Car Wheels/Axles: The wheels may not be cut, machined, lathed, drilled, beveled or rounded. You may remove the seams and imperfections from the wheels. Tool marks and other imperfections may be removed from the axles. Axles can be polished and lubricated with dry lubricant.

6. Car Wheel Position: Racers can adjust axle fore/aft axle placement as long as wheels do not protrude past front/back of car body. Pre-cut axle slots in the raw block of wood do not have to be utilized. If custom slots/holes are created, remember 3/8 inch clearance specification must be maintained. It is not necessary that all 4 wheels be in contact with the track but bottom clearance specification between car and track of 3/8 inch must be maintained.

7. Extraneous Car Parts: Car shall not have any loose or moving parts.

Resources

• Official Rules and Car Design Standards (PDF)

• Tips for Construction (PDF)