Each Scout’s car may compete in both the Racing and Car Design portions of the Derby.  The rules set forth below are intended to make the Races and the Design Competition as fair and fun as possible for all Scouts.

The Car Design judging will take place during the Finals races by volunteer judges.  Ribbons will be awarded to 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd places for each of these categories:

Derby Car Kits: The Pack will supply all Scouts with the official BSA Pinewood Derby Kit and no precut kits will be allowed to compete in the Races or the Car Design Competition.  Paint, decals, accessory trim pieces, and weights are allowed.

Preliminary Races:  These races will take place on the weekend before the Finals Races.  Each den will compete amongst its members in their designated time slot and the three fastest cars (determined by race times) from each den will proceed to the Finals.  If your Scout cannot attend during the assigned time slot, make sure the car is brought to the Preliminaries by someone else.  Failure to have a Scout’s car race in the Preliminaries during his Den’s designated time slot will result in exclusion of the car from the Finals race at the January Pack Meeting.

Finals Races: These races will take place during the January Pack Meeting with those Scouts advancing from the Preliminaries.  Top three racers will receive trophies.

Inspection: Cars will be inspected and weighed by the racing staff during registration at the Preliminaries for compliance with the specifications set forth below. Cars that fail to meet specifications will not be permitted to race.   If a car does not pass inspection, the Scout will be informed of the reason for failure, and will be given time within the official weigh-in time period to make any necessary adjustment.  After final approval, cars will not be re-inspected or weighed unless the car is damaged in handling or in a race.

Impoundment: Winning cars from the Preliminaries (top three cars from each Den) will be impounded and will be safely delivered to the finals by the Cubmaster or racing staff. Cars will not be returned to these Scouts until the end of the finals.  Graphite lubricant may be added by the Scout prior to the Finals races but no other adjustments may be done except repair or replacement of axles or wheels that are broken during the finals race.  Cars that are not proceeding to the Finals will be given back to the Scouts after the Preliminaries and they may continue to work on their paint job or other decorations in preparation for the car judging which will occur during the Finals races. Please note that Scouts whose cars qualify for the Finals will not be given the opportunity to perform additional work on their cars for the Design Competition due to the impoundment.

CAR SPECIFICATIONS:

Body: The body in the official BSA Pinewood Derby Kit, supplied by the Pack, must be used. Bodies of other materials will be disqualified. The body may be shaped, hollowed out, or built up from the original block as long as it meets all other specifications. The nose of the car can not be grooved or slotted in any manner which causes it to have the front of the car past the starting peg and that will place the front of the car closer to the finish gate. Any additions to the original body (drivers, decals, paint, weights, etc.) must be firmly attached. 

Dimensions: The car width at the wheel locations may not be modified.  It must be the same as the original kit (1 3/4”). Other portions of the car body width may be narrower if desired.  Overall width (measured to the outside of the wheels) may not exceed 2 3/4”.  Overall length may not exceed 7”.  This includes any weights, decorative tailpipes, etc.  Overall height may not exceed 5". Minimum bottom clearance below the body must be at least 3/8” to prevent dragging on the guide strip.  The wheelbase dimension (the distance between the front and rear axles) shall be determined by the grooves cut into the car body as provided in the kit and may not be altered.

Exception to Dimensions: The length and height dimensions (and the maximum weight) may be exceeded but only for the car design judging.  Any decorative items that exceed the maximum dimensions or weight must be removable for racing.

Wheels & Axles: Only wheels and axles furnished in the official kit are allowed. No washers, bushings, bearings, rubber tubing, or springs are allowed. Axles may be polished if desired. The bottom surface of the wheels may be sanded to remove any blemishes left from manufacturing. No additional shaping of the wheels is allowed (such as sanding/turning into a "V" or "U" shape). Wheel surface must remain flat with full tread surface. Cars must have four wheels and all wheels must make contact with the track.

Weight:  The weight of the race-ready car must not exceed five (5) ounces (141.7grams). Weight will be measured using the official scales when the car is registered at the Preliminaries.  After the official weigh-in, no adjustments may be made to the car.  Mercury or other liquid may not be used as a weight.

Lubricant:  Graphite is the only approved lubricant.  No oil or silicone may be used.  Lubricant may be applied by the Scout or parent only prior to the race.  Once races begin, no additional lubricant may be applied.

Car Numbers:  Assigned numbers will be temporarily attached to the car with a colored dot by the racing staff at the time of registration.  Other numbers (decals) may appear on the car, but the assigned number will be used for tracking the cars by the racing staff. 

Other:  Cars must freewheel with no stored energy or movable weights.  There is no designated front or back to the supplied body - either end may be the front.  If desired, the Scout may label the front of the car on the bottom to avoid confusion by the race staff.

Sportsmanship: Scouting encourages good sportsmanship. Cars will be disqualified if the Scout or his parents display unsportsmanlike conduct on the race site.  Remember, it is only a race and the object is for all Scouts to have a great time!