Cub Scouts Pack 6, Cranston, RI

The Netop District Pinewood Derby Committee has elected to exercise its prerogative of adding to the National BSA Cub Scout Pinewood Derby Rules. These additional rules have been deemed appropriate to minimize any special design advantages.

1. The car overall width must not exceed 2 3/4 inches and overall length must not exceed 7 inches.
2. The width between wheels is 1 3/4 inches and the bottom clearance between the car and the lane guide strip on the track must be 3/8 inches.
3. The car weight shall not exceed 5 ounces. No loose materials of any kind are permitted in the car. The car may be hallowed out and built up to the maximum weight by the addition of wood or metal, provided it is securely built into the body.
4. Wheel bearing, washers, and bushings are prohibited.
5. The car shall not ride on any type of springs.
6. Details such as steering wheel, driver, decals, painting, and interior detail are permissible as long as they are within the length, width, and weight specifications.
7. The car must be freewheeling with no starting devices.
8. The wheelbase (distance from the center of the front wheel/axle to the center of the rear wheel/axle on the same side of the car) shall not exceed 4 1/2 inches. Allowances will be made for differences in the current model year Official BSA Pinewood Derby Kit.
9. Axle shafts must be from the Official BSA Pinewood Derby Kit may only have the burrs and ridges smoothed and polished. No slotted axles are allowed.
10. Wheels must be from the BSA Pinewood Derby Kit and be labeled BSA approved. The wheel can have the bore of the hub (hole in center) cleaned of any obstructions and the wheel to track contact surface may be smoothed. The outer and inner wheel edge may also be smoothed. The wheel contact surface to the track must not be reduced, only smoothed. The wheel may NOT be reshaped as to reduce its contact surface to the track.
11. The forward most edge of the car must be ¾” (.75 inch) wide in order to rest against the rear of the starting gate pin (in center of its lane). If the front of the car is pointed and doesn’t meet this measurement, the car will race with the rear end becoming the front. If the rear end is also less ¾” of an inch, the car will not race.
12. The Pinewood Derby is a competition for cars having no more or no less than 4 wheels. The wheels must be able to keep the car in its assigned lane.
13. The width of the car body shall not exceed the width of the Official BSA Pinewood wood block except for the addition of Official BSA Pinewood Derby Accessories.
14. Older style Official BSA Pinewood Derby cars built from multiple wood block kits as issued prior to 1977 will not be allowed to race.
15. Only dry lubricants are permitted and all types of liquid lubricants are prohibited.
16. The objective of the Pinewood Derby is to allow a Cub Scout advised and assisted by an adult to design and build a wood car from the Official BSA Pinewood Derby Kit. The Pinewood Derby is not intended to be a contest of expensive and exotically built cars using special fabricated components of metal, plastic, or wood, which is not available as an Official BSA Pinewood Derby accessory. These cars are subject to disqualification.
17. The car must be able to rest in the starting gate, travel down the track, and finish the race in its assigned lane or the car will be disqualified.
18. Each car must pass inspection by the Netop District Pinewood Derby Committee before it will be allowed to race. The scale used on race day is the only official scale. If a car does not pass inspection, the owner will be informed of the reason for failure, and will be given time within the official check in time period to make any adjustments. A car not able to meet specifications will be disqualified.

19. All interpretations and judgments related to the rules are the sole prerogative of the Netop District Pinewood Derby Committee and shall be final.

Revision Date February, 2009

Competition Instructions

1. All lubrication or other service must be completed prior to presenting the car for technical inspection because all cars will immediately be impounded for the duration of its eligibility to race.
2. If a registered owner is unable to attend the District Pinewood Derby or is not physically able to race his car, he may designate another Cub Scout to act in his place. This person will be called a handler.
3. Car owners or handlers must present their car for check in and technical inspection during the announced time on race day or risk being shut out.
4. Cars must be capable of accepting and retaining it’s assigned car numbered decal on top front half of car length in order to race. All other numbers must be removed.
5. Car owner or handler must retain his issued Pit Pass numbered decal, in readable condition, on the upper front of the Cub Scout Uniform Shirt.
6. Car owners and handlers must stay alert for the call of their number during the race.
7. Any car owner or handler touching a car other than his own will be automatically disqualified.
8. If the Pinewood Derby Track is on the floor, any car owner or handler bumping or stepping on or across the Pinewood track as well as anyone causing such action will be subject to disqualification.
9. Any adults or Scouts displaying poor behavior or poor sportsmanship are subject to ejection from the racing premises.
10. It is required that all Packs in the Netop District provide a copy of these rules to all the parents with the BSA Pinewood Derby Kit.