Pinewood Derby Rules

Taken from the Great Rivers Council, Boonslick District – Pinewood Derby Rules of 2006

CAR SPECIFICATIONS AND DESIGN:

CARS ENTERED FOR RACE OR SHOW MUST USE MATERIALS FROM AN OFFICIAL BSA KIT.
The pinewood block, nail type axles, and solid plastic wheels used to construct the basic car.
The car must be essentially materials from the official kit.
Details may be added to enhance car appearance.

  1. WIDTH/LENGTH: Overall width shall not exceed 2 3/4 inches. Overall length shall not exceed 7 inches.
  2. WEIGHT: Weight shall not exceed 5 ounces.
  3. CHASSIS: Inside distance between wheels shall be 1 3/4 inches min., 2 inches max. There shall be at least 3/8 inches ground clearance. No part of the car may extend past the STARTING GATE. The Starting Gate extends 1 inch above the track and must contact the frontmost point of the car.
  4. WHEEL BEARINGS: Washers, bushings, roller bearings, ball bearings, etc., are prohibited. Hub caps are allowed.
  5. WHEELS: Must be official BSA issue. The plastic partlines on the wheels may be sanded to ensure that they are smooth. However, the wheels may not be narrowed or otherwise significantly altered. Flat style wheels on running surface.
  6. SPRINGS: The car shall not ride on any type springs.
  7. ATTACHMENTS: The car must be free-wheeling with no starting devices.
  8. DETAILS: Details/accessories such as steering wheel, driver, decals, painting, interior detail are permissible, as long as, these details do not exceed the maximum length, width, and weight specifications. “Detailing” must not violate the spirit of the paragraph at the top of this section. No loose materials of any kind are permitted in the car. The car may be hollowed out and built up to the maximum weight by the addition of wood or metal, provided it is securely attached to the body.
  9. LUBRICATION: Only dry powdered lubrication will be allowed on the car. Wet lubricants may soften the plastic wheels.
  10. SAFETY: For safety reasons, MERCURY will not be allowed.

RACE OPERATIONS:

  1. ORIENTATION: The front of the car must be identified by placing an "F" on the underside of the car between the front wheels. Race officials are not responsible for incorrect placement of unmarked cars on track.
  2. INSPECTION: Each car must pass inspection by the Official Inspection Committee before it may compete. The inspectors have the right to disqualify those cars which do not meet these specifications.
  3. MODIFICATIONS: No alterations, lubrication, etc. will be permitted after the official inspection. Emergency repairs may be performed with the permission and supervision of the race officials.
  4. PROTESTS: Any decision by the Committee will be final. Any protests regarding any action by the people operating the Derby must be made immediately. If it is not done immediately, and in a sportsmanlike manner, the protest will not be accepted.
  5. JUDJING: Design judging will be by an outside group not associated with any Pack.
  6. RACING: Racing will be done on electronically timed tracks. Each car will run at least once on every lane provided. Each cars time is
    the sum of it’s runs.
  7. PRIZES: Awards will be given 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places in each grade group in both race and design.