Pinewood Derby

Ø The official car of the Pack 33 race is the Grand Prix Pinewood Derby Kit handed out at the Pack meeting or available at the Washington Crossing Council Shop.

Ø All cars must be new this year. You cannot race previous years' cars.

Ø The car weight shall not exceed 5.0 ounces (141.75 grams) per the official Pack weigh-in scale. The official race scale shall be considered final.

Ø Maximum height: 4 inches.

Ø Maximum length: 7 inches.

Ø Maximum width: 2 ¾ inches.

Ø The car must have 1 ¾ inches clearance between the wheels.

Ø Minimum ground clearance: ⅜ inch.

Ø The wood provided in the kit must be used. The block may be shaped any way that is desired.

Ø The axle slots that exist in the block may be used.

Ø The wheels supplied with the kit must be used. The wheels may not be cut, drilled, beveled or rounded. You may remove the seam from the wheels.

Ø The axles supplied with the kit must be used. They may be polished or lubricated with dry lubricant. Burrs from underneath nail head may be removed or smoothed.

Ø Only dry lubricants such as graphite or powdered Teflon "white lube" will be allowed for lubricating the axles.

Ø Wheel bearings, washers or bushings are prohibited.

Ø The car must not ride on any type of springs.

Ø The car must be freewheeling, with no starting devices.

Ø No loose materials can be used within or as an attachment to the car.

Ø The car body may have no moving parts.

Ø Only one car may be registered by any person in the Pinewood Derby

Ø Details such as the steering wheel, driver, decals, painting, and interior detail are permissible as long as these details do not exceed the maximum length, width, and weight specifications.

Ø Do not design your car in such a way as to make it difficult to stay behind the starting gate, or where any part of the car protrudes beyond the starting gate. The car must roll down the rack without interfering with any other car.

Ø Each car must pass inspection before it will be allowed to compete. The inspectors have the responsibility to disqualify those cars that do not meet these specifications.

Some Tips

• Make your car as heavy as possible without exceeding 5 ounces (141.75 grams).

• Additional weights are allowed, and can be glued, screwed or melted into holes in the body of the car. Weights must be securely attached - not taped - to the car.

• Polish the nails (axles) and de-burr the underside of the nail heads.

Race Procedures

• All cars must be registered and checked-in prior to race

• Once cars are registered, racers will not have further access to the car

• Races will run in heats, allowing cars to race in each of the three lanes