What is the first thing I should do in building my new Pinewood Derby car?

Do Your Homework

The very first thing that you should do is research… do your homework. That’s probably how you got here. Too many times a new car builder will wait until a short time before the race to start the building process. They then don’t have time to properly research what they need to do so they just slam the car together as best they can. Then, they wonder why their car was beaten so badly on race day.

Its very important to get an early enough start so that you can fully research the pack rules, the district rules, how the races are conducted, who qualifies for the district derby, speed tips that fit within your rules, Pinewood Derby blogs and forums, etc.

Serious car builders start this project at least two months in advance. The Derby Monkey Garage allocates 3 months for the building of a new car for a particular race.

It’s likely that you haven’t given yourself that much time. Don’t panic… the other dad’s in your pack are probably just getting started too.

Know the Rules

Make absolutely certain that you fully understand the rules. There are many sets of rules on the internet with certain important variations so don’t just go by some set of rules that you just found. Get your pack rules. Some packs will permit broad modifications to the wheels and axles. Some packs may only allow minor modifications. There is utterly nothing more disappointing than seeing your son’s car disqualified at check-in because you didn’t carefully follow the rules.

Some pack and district Pinewood Derbies have different race divisions or classes, such as “Stock”, “Modified”, “Outlaw” and “Open”. Cars in the Stock class usually must follow the basic rules with no deviations, often allowing little or no modifications at all. Modified and Outlaw class rules usually allow much more flexibility in the building of the car. The open classes are usually for the scouts family members who wish to race a car. This is a great class for dad to enter his own car.

Find out who your Derby Committee Chairman is. Ask him for a set of the rules well before you begin building the car. Then get to know him. Converse with him and offer him your assistance. Offer to help him set up the day before the race. What you’re doing here is establishing valuable “goodwill” with the chairman. This will allow you to more comfortably ask for rule clarifications down the road. This new friendship may also provide helpful should there be any future rule disputes involving your car.

If at any point you are unsure whether a particular trick is legal, ask the derby chairman for clarification before you make that modification.

Official BSA Rules

A very basic set of “Official Rules” are provided in the car kits. Some packs will simply ask you to follow these fundamental rules:

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″
Wheel bearings, washers, and bushings are prohibited. The car cannot ride on springs.
Only official wheels and axles are permitted. Only dry lubricant is permitted.

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