The goal of the Pinewood Derby is for scouts to have fun building a car while learning how to use basic tools under appropriate adult supervision. Each scout should enter a car that they have constructed for this year’s race. To ensure that race day is as fair as possible, all cars must obey the following rules:
- The car may not weigh more than 5 ounces.
- The car body must be 2.75 inches wide and 7 inches long.
- Bottom clearance under the car must be 3/8 inch.
- BSA brand wheels and axles must be used. Only dry powder lubrication may be used.
- The wheels and axles must be mounted in the standard pre-cut grooves, which are 4 and 3/8 inches apart.
Note that any BSA branded car kit already has the proper dimensions and wheels, so it is easy to follow the rules if you simply use the kit in the obvious way. If you use a non-BSA branded kit, then be sure to check each of the measurements above, and buy a set of standard BSA wheels to use with the car.
All cars must be presented to the weigh-in judge for weighing before racing begins. If a car does not meet the rules, the scout may modify the car and try again at any point before his den begins racing. If a car breaks during a race (e.g. a wheel falls off) the owner will be given five minutes to repair the car, and the race attempted again. Scouts will have the opportunity to race their cars three times, using different and randomized lanes of the track.
The decisions of the judges are final, and all scouts and parents are reminded that the judges are friendly volunteers whose goal is fun and fairness to all.
