Cub Scouts have quite a variety of traditions,  most importantly they never miss out participating in the Pinewood Derby. Cub Scouts feel quite proud about being able to race in the Pinewood Derby and feel a sense of fulfillment since they get to race on behalf of their troop while building their own Pinewood Derby Race Car from wood with help of a coach.

Most kids who build a racing car for a Pinewood Derby and race in it are able to enjoy some unforgettable moments and they end up cherishing those memories for years to come. However, when constructing a car for the derby, there are certain rules that the Boy Scouts of America have that need to be complied with to ensure that the racing competition is held under fair circumstances.

Boy Scouts of America usually get an official BSA kit, which contains the materials that can be used for constructing the axles, body and wheels of the car that can be raced in a Pinewood Derby. The cars that are eligible to be raced in such a derby can be decorated and painted by boy scouts according to their preference.

Revel Grand Prix Pinewood Derby Car Kit

The length of the car that is eligible to be raced in this derby must not be more than 7 inches, while the width must not be more than 1 3/4 inches. The wheels of the derby car must also have a 1 3/4 clearance between them and there should be a distance of 3/8 inch between the body of the car and the ground. This way the car body does not rub on the track. According to the original kit design there should be a distance of 4 1/4 inches between the wheel base and boy scouts should avoid modifying it.

Weight of the cars that will be raced in a Pinewood Derby must not be more than 5 ounces. While the cars that are to be raced in such a derby are eventually handed over to the racing committee for safe keeping, however, before that an official race scale is used for weighing them. The racing committee considers the recorded weight at the weigh-in as the final and official weight of the car.

As long as the dimensions and the weight of the derby cars do not exceed the specifications mentioned in the rules, Boy Scouts are allowed to modify the appearance of the race car. However, at the same time specific type of modifications are even prohibited as per the rules. Once the car has been completely constructed there should be nose loose materials like metal BBs present on it. The rules of the derby also prohibit the presence of any type of bushing, washer or wheel bearing. Even any form of a starting device or some spring suspension cannot be used in the cars that are to be raced in this derby.

When it comes time for Cub Scouts to take part in the Pinewood derby they generally get quite excited about building their own fast Pinewood Derby Car for the race.  However, to be eligible to take part in the race, scouts must know the rules of building the right car for the derby.

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