Derby Car Specifications:

The Pinewood Derby rules are setup so all scouts are able to play on an even playing field. Scouts learn and practice sportsmanship, citizenship, obtaining and recognizing personal achievement, and developing family understanding and communication skills. The key element is personal achievement rather than the simple victory! Specifications are set for Scouts to have Fun!

Body Specifications - dimensions and weights:

• Cars must have been built during this Pinewood Derby racing season using an Official BSA Pinewood Derby Kit (chassis MUST be made of pine wood).

• Width: Overall width shall not exceed 2¾ inches (6.99cm)

• Length: Overall length shall not exceed 7 inches (17.78cm).

• Weight: Weight shall not exceed 5.0 ounces (141.75 grams) measured on a scale accurate to 1/10th of an ounce. Overweight cars must be reduced to running weight or below before they can be entered. The official race scale at the derby weigh in shall be considered final.

• Height: Overall height shall not exceed 6.5 (6 1/2 ) inches. A measuring block will be on site at weigh in to validate all length, width, and height measurements.

• Cars must clear the center rail of the track, which is 1 5/8 inches wide by ¼ inch tall along the entire length of the car. Minimum clearance between the bottom of the car and the bottom of the wheels shall be 3/8 of an inch to avoid contact with the tracks center guide strip.

• No part of the car may protrude beyond the starting pin. The front edge of the car must not be more than 0.75 inch above the wheel lane of the track and be at least 1/2 inch wide at the front center of the car.

• Gravity Powered: The race car may not be constructed or treated in such a way that the track's starting mechanism imparts momentum to the car. For instance, this provision disqualifies cars with sticky substances on the front of the car and protrusions which may catch on the starting pin.

• Any details added must be within length, width, and weight limits.

• No part of the car or any attachment to the car may be capable of coming into contact with the track other than the wheels.

• Weights: Any type of solid material is allowed – no liquids! Lead weights must be completely sealed/covered with a layer of paint or protective covering.

Staging and car design recommendations:

• Cars should have a horizontal leading edge which is flat and parallel with the track

• The leading edge should be between 0.5 (½) and 0.75 (¾) inches above the track

• Cars that “ride up” on the staging pegs may be run backwards, or disqualified, at the discretion of the staff and committee

• An electronic finish line will be used: therefore, it is recommended that extreme needle-nose designs be avoided

Lubrication Specifications:

• Dry Graphite lube only is allowed on the wheels and axles. NO liquid lubes or ball bearings allowed.

• Dry Graphite can be applied to the axles, wheel hubs, and contact points between the wheels and the car body.

• Once impounded after check-in, no re-application of Dry Graphite will be allowed during the races.

Axle Specifications:

• Nail type axles (found in the Official BSA Derby kit) are to be used! No stainless-steel axles will be permitted. A magnet can be used to check axles at weigh in if there is a concern by the staff. Any prohibited axles discovered at check-in must be replaced (including 2 piece axles, etc…)

• Modification of the axles are allowed that include straightening, sanding, and polishing so long as the diameter of the axle is not reduced to less than 0.084 inches and no more than 0.091 inches

• Axles can be mounted by drilling axle holes or inserting into the slots on the car block

• Spacing can be any length so long as the wheels do not exceed beyond the overall maximum length of the car body

Wheels Specifications:

• Only Official BSA wheels are allowed (Official BSA colored wheels may be used)

• All cars must have 4 wheels attached and a wheel base of no less than 4 inches (101.6 mm)

• ALL 4 wheels must make physical contact with the track (no “trikes”).

• All markings must be intact and visible on the inside and outside of the wheels.

• Outer surfaces of the wheels can be slightly sanded and polished to remove any imperfections, mold casting burrs and correct off centering. Wheels shall NOT be reshaped in any manner in attempt to reduce tread contact with the track surface (see images below for examples).

• The fluting (small decorative dots on the edge) must remain visible around the entire circumference of the wheel.

• The width of the tread must not be less than 8.0 mm

• No weight is to be removed from the inside of the wheel

• No removing or reducing the letters or spokes, or drilling additional holes allowed.