Pinewood Derby Rules

Posted on January 12, 2016 by Charlie Krueger

Length, Width and Clearance:

The maximum overall width (including wheels and axles) shall not exceed 2¾ inches (6.9 cm).
The minimum width between the wheels shall be 1¾ inches (4.4 cm) so the car will clear the center guide strip on the track.
The minimum clearance between the bottom of the car and the track surface shall be 0.375 inches (0.9 cm) so the car will clear the center guide strip on the track.
The maximum overall length shall not exceed 7 inches (17.8 cm) including wheels.

Weight and Appearance:

Weight shall not exceed 5 ounces (141.9 g). The reading of the official scale will be considered final. The car may be hollowed out and built up to the maximum weight by the addition of wood or metal only, provided the material is securely built into the body or firmly affixed to it. No liquids or loose materials of any kind are permitted in or on the car.
Details such as steering wheel, driver, spoiler, decals, painting and interior details are permissible as long as these details do not exceed the maximum length, width or weight specifications.
Cars with wet paint will not be accepted.

Wheels and Axles:

Wheels may be lightly sanded to smooth out molding imperfections on the tread area. This light sanding is the only modification allowed. Thin sanding, or wafering the wheels is prohibited.
Axles may not be altered in any way except for polishing.
Wheel bearings, washers, bushings, and hub caps are prohibited.
The car shall not ride on any type of springs.
The car must be free-wheeling, with no starting device or other type of propulsion.

Lubrication:

Only graphite or powdered Teflon “white lube” will be allowed for lubricating the wheels.
Lubrication will not be allowed after the car has been weighed in or during the race.

Ground Rules and Competition:

Each scout may enter only one car in the competition.
Use only the Official Cub Scout Grand Prix Pinewood Derby car kit that is provided by the Pack.
The car must have been built during the current year (the school year in which the Derby is held). Cars that have competed in a previous year are not permitted.
If a car jumps the track, the race will be run again. If the same car jumps the track a second time, and does not interfere with its neighboring car, the race will count. If the car interferers with its neighboring car, at the discretion of the Race Marshal, the car will be eliminated from that heat (and given a “did not finish” [DNF] time) and the race will be run again.
If a car becomes damaged and can be repaired in a reasonable amount of time (a few minutes), the race will be run again. If not, the damaged car will be eliminated from that heat and given a DNF time.
All rulings by the Race Marshal are final.

Inspection and Registration:

During check-in, each car must pass a technical inspection before it may compete.
If a car does not pass inspection (too long, too heavy or the like), the owner will have an opportunity to bring the car into compliance. If the car cannot be brought into compliance before race time the car will be permitted to race but will not be eligible to participate for prizes.
No car may be altered in any way after it has been registered (this includes lubrication). Damage repair shall be allowed during the Derby at the discretion of the Race Marshal, but no modifications shall be allowed.
After passing inspection, no car shall be re-inspected unless repaired after damage in handling or in a race.
Except for damage repair, Scouts will not touch their car after check-in and inspection until the Derby is over.