Kids' Events :: Official Rules

Official Rules:
Pinewood Derby Race

These rules apply to official race participants. An open division will be held allowing all cars to race that will run on the track.

All cars must pass inspection to qualify for the race. The inspection points are as follows:

Car Body

  1. The width of the car shall not exceed 2.5 inches.
  2. The length of the car shall not exceed 7 inches.
  3. The clearance of the bottom of car and track shall not be less than 3/8 of an inch.
  4. The weight of the car shall not exceed 5 ounces (on scale accurate to 1 tenth of an ounce).
  5. Axles must be placed in the precut grooves on the car body. In the event the grooves are either missing or cut incorrectly new grooves may be cut. HOWEVER The Wheelbase of the car shall not exceed 4.5 inches.
  6. Any details added must be within length, width, and weight limits.
  7. No loose materials or liquids of any kind (such as lead shot) are allowed in the car.
  8. Magnets are prohibited.
  9. Design features such as lights, windshields, etc are permissible but cannot cause the weight of the car to go over 5 ounces.
  10. No part of the car may extend past the starting pin.

Wheels

  1. Axles and wheels must be the ones either provided in the kit or replacements available through BSA National Supply (available at the scout shop). Other types are permissible but must be comparable.
  2. Wheel surface may be lightly sanded, shaved, or polished to remove surface imperfections and mold casting burrs, but must not be reshaped in any way in an attempt to lighten the wheel, minimize tread contact or alter aerodynamics. The fluting and other BSA markings on the outside wheel area must remain visible.
  3. The following wheel modifications are PROHIBITED:
    1. Rounding of wheel edges
    2. Grooving, H-cutting or V-cutting
    3. Altering of wheel profile
    4. Narrowing the tread surface
    5. Drilling sidewalls
    6. Hollowing, sanding, or otherwise removing or modifying plastic material from inside the wheel
    7. Filling of wheel surface with any type of material
  4. Wheel bearings, washers, and bushings are prohibited.
  5. The car shall not ride on any kind or type of springs.
  6. The car must be freewheeling, with no starting devices.
  7. No hubcaps are permitted on the wheels.

Axles

  1. The nail or pin type axles that comes with or comparable to the Official Pinewood Derby Kit is the only type of axles allowed with an overall diameter of no less than .084 inches (2.13mm). Some polishing and/or modification is allowed as long as overall diameter is not reduced.
  2. The wheels must be attached directly to axle and spin freely.
  3. Axles must not be connected to any device that mechanically alters rotation and spin.
  4. There must be at least four wheels on the car, and, it is required that all four wheels make contact with the track surface.

Lubrication

  1. Lubricants must be dry on the axle at race time. Wet, oily, or greasy axles are not allowed. Over-application of lubricant which results in excessive shedding onto the track is not allowed.
  2. Approved lubricants are limited to graphite and Teflon.

In the event a participant's car does not pass inspection the participant will have the opportunity make adjustments to the car in order for it to pass inspection within the time limits of the pre-race check-in period. The car MUST pass inspection prior to the announced start time.

The participant may enter the car in the open division. This division is open to anyone under 18 group whose cars do not qualify for their age group's races.

Race Director or designee will have final decision on entry of cars.

Top