The purpose of the Pinewood Derby is to encourage sportsmanship during competition. The
following rules will be followed to ensure a fair and fun event for the boys. READ THE RULES, THEY
WILL BE FOLLOWED.
1. All rules distributed in the official BSA Pinewood Derby kit apply. The car must be an official
Pinewood Derby kit from the BSA. No exceptions. The race coordinator is the FINAL decision-maker
on the eligibility of a car. DO NOT TRY TO PURCHASE A CAR ONLINE.
2. No commercial kit cars pre-shaped car bodies or cars built from other than kit provided pine stock.
This includes commercial axles other than the four nails and the official BSA Pinewood Derby wheels
that come in the BSA kits. We will allow the new colored official BSA Pinewood Derby wheels
available from BSA supply.
3. Size: Overall width shall not exceed 2.75 inches. Overall length shall not exceed 7 inches (most
BSA blocks are slightly longer requiring some sanding), and a maximum of 3 inches tall. Weight shall
not exceed 5 ounces. An underside clearance of at least three eighths inch (3/8”) and an inside wheel
to wheel clearance of at least one and three quarters inch (1 ¾”) is recommended for free running on
the track. The front of the car must be at least three eighths inch (3/8”) wide to insure adequate
contact with the starting pin. V shaped front ends (Quick Start Front ends; with or without bar) are
prohibited. No part of the car can extend past the starting pin.
4. Loose materials of any kind are not permitted in or on the car. The car may be hollowed out and
built up to the maximum weight by addition of wood or metal only, provided it is securely built into the
body. Cars may be disqualified if an item falls off and interferes with another car (the heat will be re-
run without offender).
5. Speed axles or bearing axles are prohibited. Washers and/or bushings on the axles of the car are
prohibited. The car must be freewheeling and cannot ride on any type of springs or use any starting
devices.
6. Details such as a steering wheel, driver, decals, painting, and interior detail are permissible as
long as these details do not exceed the maximum length, width, and weight specifications.
7. Car construction is a parent-Scout project. This means some cars will be fancier than others, but
the Cub Scout must do most of the construction and decoration of the car. The car must have been
built this Cub Scout year and not entered in another Pinewood Derby. The Scout must be present to
race. Siblings may not race a car by proxy.
8. Wheels may not be machined or beveled to change factory design. The burrs on the wheels may
be removed but the wheels cannot be sanded down. The axle slot cannot be covered or filled in to the
extent the inspectors cannot tell if the car has a solid axle.
9. Only graphite lubricant is permitted and all boys are encouraged to use it (graphite is not allowed in
the building area itself).
10. Wheelbase cannot be altered from the factory design. You must put the axles in the factory
provided slots (you may “square” the holes if necessary).
11. Each car must pass inspection and weigh-in by the Registration Official before it may compete.
The inspectors have the right to disqualify those cars that do not meet specifications. The Pack
Pinewood Derby rep has the final call and appeals can be made to him. Modifications (if a car is too
heavy, to wide, etc.) are allowed at the Trial Test Run on the Friday before the race and prior to
acceptance on race day. Once impounded, no changes can be made.
following rules will be followed to ensure a fair and fun event for the boys. READ THE RULES, THEY
WILL BE FOLLOWED.
1. All rules distributed in the official BSA Pinewood Derby kit apply. The car must be an official
Pinewood Derby kit from the BSA. No exceptions. The race coordinator is the FINAL decision-maker
on the eligibility of a car. DO NOT TRY TO PURCHASE A CAR ONLINE.
2. No commercial kit cars pre-shaped car bodies or cars built from other than kit provided pine stock.
This includes commercial axles other than the four nails and the official BSA Pinewood Derby wheels
that come in the BSA kits. We will allow the new colored official BSA Pinewood Derby wheels
available from BSA supply.
3. Size: Overall width shall not exceed 2.75 inches. Overall length shall not exceed 7 inches (most
BSA blocks are slightly longer requiring some sanding), and a maximum of 3 inches tall. Weight shall
not exceed 5 ounces. An underside clearance of at least three eighths inch (3/8”) and an inside wheel
to wheel clearance of at least one and three quarters inch (1 ¾”) is recommended for free running on
the track. The front of the car must be at least three eighths inch (3/8”) wide to insure adequate
contact with the starting pin. V shaped front ends (Quick Start Front ends; with or without bar) are
prohibited. No part of the car can extend past the starting pin.
4. Loose materials of any kind are not permitted in or on the car. The car may be hollowed out and
built up to the maximum weight by addition of wood or metal only, provided it is securely built into the
body. Cars may be disqualified if an item falls off and interferes with another car (the heat will be re-
run without offender).
5. Speed axles or bearing axles are prohibited. Washers and/or bushings on the axles of the car are
prohibited. The car must be freewheeling and cannot ride on any type of springs or use any starting
devices.
6. Details such as a steering wheel, driver, decals, painting, and interior detail are permissible as
long as these details do not exceed the maximum length, width, and weight specifications.
7. Car construction is a parent-Scout project. This means some cars will be fancier than others, but
the Cub Scout must do most of the construction and decoration of the car. The car must have been
built this Cub Scout year and not entered in another Pinewood Derby. The Scout must be present to
race. Siblings may not race a car by proxy.
8. Wheels may not be machined or beveled to change factory design. The burrs on the wheels may
be removed but the wheels cannot be sanded down. The axle slot cannot be covered or filled in to the
extent the inspectors cannot tell if the car has a solid axle.
9. Only graphite lubricant is permitted and all boys are encouraged to use it (graphite is not allowed in
the building area itself).
10. Wheelbase cannot be altered from the factory design. You must put the axles in the factory
provided slots (you may “square” the holes if necessary).
11. Each car must pass inspection and weigh-in by the Registration Official before it may compete.
The inspectors have the right to disqualify those cars that do not meet specifications. The Pack
Pinewood Derby rep has the final call and appeals can be made to him. Modifications (if a car is too
heavy, to wide, etc.) are allowed at the Trial Test Run on the Friday before the race and prior to
acceptance on race day. Once impounded, no changes can be made.
 |  |  |  |
| Pack 75 - Pinewood Derby Technical Car Rules |