Below are the rules governing Pinewood Derby Races for Pack 502. They are intended to provide a balance between fairness and a competitive spirit. They closely resemble the rules provided by The NEGA BSA (practically copied word-for-word) to ensure that winning racers
will qualify for the Sweetwater District Pinewood Derby held at Scoutblast in April.
Pack 502 will have a total of 12 winners eligible for the Sweetwater District Pinewood Derby as follows:
1st, 2nd, and 3rd for Speed and for Show among Webelos, Bears, and Wolves and 1 st, 2nd, and 3rd for Speed and Show among Tigers.
Rules:
1. Have fun.
2. The car must be Cub Scout made, but adults are encouraged to actively participate with their Cub Scout.
3. The car must have been built in the current scout year. Cars made in previous years may not be raced.
4. The car must be made from the official BSA Cub Scout Pinewood Derby Kit (#17006) using official BSA parts.
5. The axle slots cannot be moved from the original locations and the official BSA wheels must be attached in those slots with the nails from the original kit.
6. Wheels may be sanded to remove ridges, but may not be tapered. ALL FOUR WHEELS MUST TOUCH THE TRACK. If only three wheels touch the track, this provides an unfair advantage, and cannot be permitted.
NO WHEEL MODIFICATIONS WILL BE ALLOWED: i.e.:
“THINNING, TAPERING, HOLES, SHAVING, ETC” except as expressly stated to remove mold flashing. “LATHE TYPE” TURNING OF WHEELS IS NOT ALLOWED". All detail marks must remain visible on entire wheel.
7. No wheel bearings, bushings, or washers of any type may be used.
8. The maximum weight of the car may not exceed 5 ounces (or 141.75 grams). Scales will be available at registration so final adjustments can be made. The scale used at registration will be the official scale.
9. Dimensions for the finished car are as follows:
Width cannot exceed 2 3/4 inches (including wheels and axles).
Length cannot exceed 7 inches.
Ground clearance must be at least 3/8 inches.
Height cannot exceed 3 inches, to clear the timing device.
*Minimum width of car where the axles are inserted into the body must be 1 3/4 inches.
YOU ARE ADVISED TO NOT PUT WEIGHTS ON THE BOTTOM SIDE OF THE CAR. The cars must be able to clear the lane guides.
10. All cars will be weighed and measured at registration and must pass inspection in order to race.
11. The Volunteer Chairman in charge of the event will have the final authority to determine eligibility to race.
12. Added accessories such as windshields, driver, etc. are permitted from any source and may be used as long as width, length, and weight restrictions are met. Accessories must be permanently attached. No loose material of any kind (such as lead shot) is allowed in or on
cars.
13. Hubcaps or any other material may not be installed on the wheels in such a way as to hold the dry lubricant against the axle.
14. The car may not have any type of springs or any type of self-propelling or starting devices.
This includes solid rocket fuel boosters, bottle rockets, and slingshots.
15. Cars must belong to a currently registered Cub Scout.
16. If during the race, a car leaves the track, runs out of its lane, interferes with another car, loses an axle, etc, the heat will be rerun. If the same car gets into trouble on the second run, the contestant loses that race. Lubrication of any type may not be applied after the car is
registered, this includes during repairs.
17. Cars with wet paint will not be accepted at registration.
18. Only dry powdered lubricant will be used.
19. Participants are responsible for providing any tools or materials to make any adjustments before or during the race
Sibling Race Rules:
All Pack Rules for Pinewood Derby Races for Pack 502 apply to sibling races. Siblings will be awarded on speed.
Adult Race Rules:
Cars must be built from the official B.S.A. car kit. The pack sells these annually, please purchase from the pack as it is a small fundraiser for the pack.
Cars must use the block of wood from that kit, the wheels and axles.
There are NO weight or height limits! This is all out FUN for the adults.
Remember we are scouts and need to show fair play and respect when races are occurring....Gloating, bragging, razzing and such "adult" behaviors need to be done in fun. We will be setting an example in front of the boys...so keep it clean and friendly!