Derby Rules

Official Race Rules

All cars must pass the following inspection to qualify for the race:

DESIGN/CONSTRUCTION

Length, Width, and Clearance

  1. Maximum overall width including wheels and axles = 2¾ inches.

  2. Maximum overall height = 5 inches

  3. Minimum width between wheels = 1¾ inches.

  4. Minimum clearance between bottom of the car and track = 3/8 inches. If you put weights under your car, recess them into a hole in the underside of the car’s body.

  5. Maximum clearance of the front edge of the nose of a car above the tract = ¾ inch; generally applies only to cars that have a beveled nose or other “fast start” design feature (not shown in the diagram).\

  6. Maximum car length = 7 inches. This measurement includes any decorations added to the car such as wings, spoilers, bumpers, exhaust pipes, etc.

  7. Wheelbase (distance between front and rear axles) must not be more than 4½ inches.

  8. Commercially precut Pinewood Derby car kits may be used if they meet the above specifications. Only official Cub Scout Pinewood Derby wheels and axles may be used. The solid metal axles (one axle for two wheels), wheels and end caps found in some commercial kits may not be used.

Weight and Appearance

  1. Weight ≤ 5.00 ounces. The car may be hollowed out and built to the maximum weight by the addition of wood, metal, plastic, paint, or decals only, provided each is built into or securely affixed to the body.

  2. No loose materials of any kind are permitted in or on the car.

  3. Details and additions such as steering wheel, driver, spoiler, and decals are permitted as long as they do not cause the car to exceed the specifications identified above.

  4. Cars with wet paint or glue will not be accepted at inspection/weigh-in.

  5. Mercury shall not be used in adding weight to the car.

Wheels, Axles, and Lubrication

  1. Wheels - Only the wheels and axles provided with an official Cub Scout\

  2. Pinewood Derby Car Kit can be used. Official Cub Scout Pinewood Derby wheels and axles that are sold separately (i.e. colored wheels) may also be used. If official Cub Scout Pinewood Derby Wheels and Axles are included in a precut car kit, they may also be used.

  3. Four wheels must be used, one per axle – no more, no less.

  4. Axles on the car may be polished.

  5. Mold projections on wheel tread - Mold projections on a wheel’s tread may be removed, but the wheel should not be otherwise sanded or altered.

  6. Bearings, spacers, etc. prohibited - Use of bearings, bushings, spacers, or the like between the wheel and car body are prohibited. Wheels must come in direct contact with the car body.

  7. Wheel rim coverings prohibited - A covering placed on a wheel rim that might hold graphite or lubricant around a nail axle head is not permitted.

  8. No mechanical propulsion - The car must be freewheeling with no starting assistance, springs, or other methods of propulsion. No magnets are permitted anywhere on the car.

  9. Only dry lubricants, such as graphite, may be used. Oils and silicone sprays are prohibited.

  10. Wheel alteration prohibited - use of any type of beveled, tapered, thin-sanded, wafered or lathe-turned wheels is prohibited. Any attempt to reduce the running surface of the wheel will disqualify the car.

If a car fails inspection, the owner will be informed of the reason for failure, and will be given time within the official weigh-in time period to make the adjustment. After final approval, cars will not be re-inspected unless the car is damaged in handling or in a race.