Pinewood Derby

PACK 868 PINEWOOD DERBY INFORMATION & RULES – 2025

Event Details:

· Location: Springfield Estates Elementary School Cafeteria

· Date: Friday, January 31, 2025

· Inspection & Check-in: 6:15 PM

· Racing and Judging: 7:00 PM

The goal of the Pinewood Derby is to help Cub Scouts build a team relationship with their parent or adult helper, experience a sense of accomplishment, enjoy the excitement of competition, learn good sportsmanship, and most importantly, have fun!

DON’Ts

· Don’t order cars off the Internet.

· Don’t order speed axles or wheels off the Internet.

DOs

· Do work together to decide what you want to make.

· Start with your official BSA Pinewood Derby Car Kit.

· Do cut out your car (ask other adult leaders in your Pack for help if needed).

· Do paint and decorate your car.

· Do spend time polishing the axles.

· Do comply with the technical rules listed below.

· DO HAVE FUN!

Siblings & Adults: Siblings and adults are welcome to race! Kits may be a purchased from the Scout Store.

Pack 868 Pinewood Derby Technical Rules

General Rules

Car Construction:

· Cars must be made from the items in the official Cub Scout Grand Prix Pinewood Derby kit and/or official parts bought from BSA. Third-party cars and performance parts are NOT ALLOWED and will be disqualified.

· Cars made from pre-cut/pre-shaped Pinewood Derby car kits will not be allowed.

· Additional materials and weights may be attached to the car to enhance the design but must be firmly attached.

Car Dimensions & Specifications:

· Width: Not to exceed 2-3/4 (2.75) inches.

· Width Between Wheels: Must be 1-3/4 (1.75) inches.

· Length: Not to exceed 7 inches.

· Height: Not to exceed 4 inches.

· Wheelbase: Must be 4-3/8 (4.375) inches.

· Clearance: Must be at least 3/8 (0.375) inch between the bottom of the car and the track.

· Weight: Not to exceed 5.000 ounces.

Eligibility:

· Cars must be made during the current Scouting year; cars from previous years are not allowed.

· Only one car can be entered in the Pinewood Derby for each Scout.

· Cars entered may not be altered after they are accepted by Pack staff.

Design, Wheel and Axle Regulations:

· Wheel bearings, washers, and bushings are prohibited.

· Wheel footprint may not be altered; mold seams may be removed, but wheels may not be narrowed, ridged, rounded-over, or otherwise changed.

· All four wheels must touch the track surface; minor play is allowed, but intentional offsetting will result in disqualification.

· The wheelbase distance (4-3/8 inches) may not be modified or altered, though it may be shifted slightly if pre-made grooves are misaligned.

· Axles may be polished, but machining is prohibited.

· Only dry lubricants (e.g., graphite, Teflon) are permitted; wet lubricants (e.g., oil) are prohibited. Excess graphite may be removed during inspection.

· No hubcaps or wheel coverings may be used to hold lubricant in place.

· The car shall not ride on springs (no spring suspension).

· The car must be free-wheeling and gravity-driven, with no starting devices, springs, magnets, or similar mechanisms.

· Weights must be solid and securely fastened; sliding or liquid-based weights are not allowed.

Repairs and Disqualifications:

· If a car breaks down during a race, only the repair or replacement of the affected part is allowed, and repairs must not significantly delay the event.

· Any car deemed to have an unfair advantage by the Derby Chair will be disqualified. The decision of the Derby Chair is final.

· Graphite will not be allowed at the tracks; it may be used in the maintenance area but must not be excessive.

Behavior and Conduct:

· No Scout, parent, or leader will be allowed into the race or show areas once cars have been registered, except to volunteer or make repairs under supervision.

· All participants are expected to exhibit their best Scout behavior and sportsmanship; disruptive behavior may result in disqualification.

Advancement: The first-place finisher in each rank will automatically advance to the pack speed final.

Speed, Best in Show, and Special Category Awards:

· Awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in speed in each rank.

· Awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place pack speed final.

· Awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place best in show in each rank.

· Awarded for most Scout-Themed, Realistic Car, Futuristic, Unique, and Humorous

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