The following set of rules are the Official BSA Pinewood Derby Rules. These are the rules that are in the box of the Official Grand Prix Pinewood Derby Kits handed out by the scout leader.

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OFFICIAL GRAND PRIX PINEWOOD DERBY KIT

Please read these Rules and Instructions before building your car.

The Pinewood Derby is open to all Cub Scouts. Cars should be built by the Cub Scouts with some adult guidance. Any technical assistance should be fully explained to the Cub Scout so that he can use that knowledge on future projects. Because it is difficult to establish how much help was given in building the car, some Packs have a separate Pinewood Derby Race for adults.

IMPORTANT: The Race Committee should decide on rules and race procedures, then have them printed and distributed to all participants at least two weeks before the race.

CAR SPECIFICATIONS:

* Width: – 2-3/4″ – Length – 7″ – Weight – Not over 5 Ounces
* Width between wheels – 1-3/4″
* Bottom clearance between can and track – 3/8″

RULES

Wheel bearings, washers, and bushings are prohibited. The car shall not ride on springs. Only official Cub Scout Grand Prix Pinewood Derby wheels and axles are permitted. Only dry lubricant is permitted. Details, such as steering wheel and driver are permissible as long as these details do not exceed the maximum length, width and weight specifications. The car must be free-wheeling, with no starting devices. Each car must pass inspection by the official inspection committee before it may compete. If, at registration., a car does not pass inspection, the owner will be informed of the reason for failure, and will be given time within the official weigh-in time period to make the adjustment. After final approval, cars will not be re-inspected unless the car is damaged in handling or in a race.

BUILDING INSTRUCTIONS
Check the grooves to ensure that each is at a perfect 90-dearee angle to the car body. A car with untrue axles tends to steer to one side or the other, causing it to rub up against the side of the lane strip, slowing it down. You can check the groove angles by using a square, a protractor, or even a piece of paper.

Lay square on block to check for squareness and alignment of slot.

Use two hacksaw blades side by side to redress the slots. Use the edge of the square as a guide.

NOTE: If the car design you chose has a narrow body, make sure the area where the axles are inserted into the body remains 1-3/4″ wide, or wheels will not fit over the guide strips of the track.

PAINTING AND WHEEL ASSEMBLY Apply several coats of sanding sealer; then sand entire car with a fine-grade sandpaper. Give model at least two coats of fast drying paint, in your choice of color. When paint is completely dry sand with a fine sandpaper, apply a final coat of paint and allow to dry thoroughly. TO FINISH, rub entire car with a rubbing compound. Details such as windshield, driver, racing numbers, etc., should be added now. For a super finish apply a coat of auto wax and rub to a high gloss. Pre-lubricate axles and wheels using, dry powdered lubricant. Do not use regular oil or silicone spray, since it may soften the plastic. Slide wheels over axles, then gently tap them into the car body grooves with a 1/4″ dowel or similar object to within 1/32″ of car body. (See Figure 4). Make sure wheels turn freely.

Due to many requests we have eliminated the cockpit section in the Pinewood Derby block to allow for more designs.

Copyright ©, 1997, Boy Scouts of America, All Rights Reserved

1. LENGTH, WIDTH, HEIGHT, & CLEARANCE

a. Maximum overall width (including wheels, axles or other parts) shall not exceed 2-3/4″.

b. Minimum width between wheels shall be 1-3/4″ so the car will clear the center guide strip.

c. Maximum height shall not exceed 4-1/2″ in order to clear the race timer.

d. Minimum clearance between bottom of car and track shall be 3/8″ so the car will clear the center guide strip.

e. Maximum length shall not exceed 7″.

2. WEIGHT AND APPEARNCE

a. Weight shall not exceed 5 ounces. The readings of the Official Race 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, provide it is securely built into the body or firmly affixed to it. No loose materials of any kind are permitted in or on the car. The bottom of the car must be smooth in order not to damage the car stoppage area.

b. Mercury or other liquids shall not be used for adding weight. Mercury is a potential health hazard.

c. Details such as steering wheel, driver, spoiler, decals, painting and interior details are permissible as long as these details do not cause the car to exceed the maximum length, width, height, and clearance specifications.

d. Cars with wet paint will not be accepted.

3. WHEELS AND AXLES

a. Only the official Scout Grand Prix wheels and axles can be used. Wheels must have “Official B.S.A.” stamped on the inside of the wheel rim.

b. Wheels can be sanded to remove surface imperfections, but the surface that touches the track must be left flat and at least 1/4 wide”.

c. Wheel bearings, washers or bushings are prohibited.

d. The car shall not ride on any type of springs.

e. The car must be free-wheeling with no starting device or other propulsion.

f. The wheel base location of the car may be adjusted as long as you still meet the maximum length, width, height, and clearance specifications.

g. Hubcaps or similar items used to keep the wheels lubricated are prohibited.

h. Spoke Wheels and/or modified wheels are prohibited.

4. LUBRICATION

a. Only dry powdered lubricants, such as graphite, may be used. Regular oils and silicone sprays may often soften the plastic wheels.

b. Cars must be lubricated before registration. No further lubricants will be permitted.

5. GROUND RULES

a. The race is open to all Cub Scouts and Webelos Scouts registered in the OKEE-TUKLO DISTRICT. The Open Division bracket is open to registered Cub or Boy Scouts from the OKEETUKLO DISTRICT, any family members of these Scouts, Scout leaders from the OKEETUKLO DISTRICT, and race officials. Only one Open Division entry per participant.

b. Cars must have been made for this race with all the work on all the parts being done since the completion of last years race. Cars made for previous derby are not permitted.

c. After meeting weight and inspection requirements the cars are registered with your car number being attached to the back of your car. It will then be placed on the table by a race official for competition. No car can be handled by the boy, leader, and/or parent after registration unless they have permission from the chairperson.

d. Cars will be placed in divisions by scout rank for competition. (Tiger, Wolf, Bear, Webelos I, Webelos II, and Open Division)

e. All cars will race three times (once in each lane) against other cars of the same division with the times being recorded. Partial Perfect (N) race charts generated using a computer program developed by Stan Pope and Cory Young will be used for lane assignments. The charts can be obtained on the internet at http://members.aol.com/StanDCmr/ppngen.html

f. Overall winners for each scout rank and Open Division will be based upon the total of the three race times recorded with the lowest time being ranked first.

g. If a car jumps off the track prior to the timer, loses an axle, or breaks a wheel it can be repaired if possible and rerun by itself on the same lane after all the races for that rank are completed. If they choose to rerun then the original time must be replaced by the rerun time. If the car cannot be repaired, the car must forfeit from the competition. The car must be repaired within 5 minutes or by the time the car is called for it’s next race, whichever is longer. If a car jumps from the track loses an axle, or breaks a wheel a second time it must forfeit from the competition.

h. If a car (or parts of it) leaves its lane and interferes with another car, the car interfered with has the option to rerun by itself on the same lane after all the races for the rank completed. If they choose to rerun then the original time must be replaced by the rerun time.

i. Only Race Officials and Scouts involved in the current heat(s) are permitted in the track area.

j. Cars racing in the Open Division must meet all the above requirements except section 5 (b).

k. Cars entered in the Okee Tuklo District pinewood derby race must be the car that won at the pack level. New cars will not be allowed.

6. INSPECTION AND DISPUTES

a. Each car must pass inspection by the Official Inspection Team before it may compete. The inspection team has the right to disqualify those cars, which do not meet these rules. Car owners will be informed of the violations and given an opportunity to modify the car to meet these rules.

b. Any participant (including the parent of the participant) has the right of appeal to the Race Committee for an interpretation of these rules. The Race Committee, by majority vote, will be the final judge of these rules. In case of a tie vote, the decision of the Race Committee Chairperson will be final.

c. GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP AND BEHAVIOR IS EXPECTED. Ungentlemanly or unsportsmanlike conduct by any participant or member of the audience will be grounds for expulsion from the competition and/ or grounds.