Pinewood Derby Rules
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The following information is provided so that the race is consistent and
fair for all participants. The decisions of the judges are final. Disputes
will be settled by the track officials.
1. All cars must be made from the OFFICIAL CUB SCOUT PINEWOOD DERBY KIT.
Failure to comply with this rule will result in car disqualification.
2. Each driver must report to the inspection table prior to the start of
the race. Last minute changes should be made prior to registration. Once
the car is registered it will be placed in the impound area and will not
be modified.
3. During car registration, if the car is over weight the driver will be
told it is over weight and by how much. The car will be returned to the
driver so that the weight can be reduced to meet the correct weight. If
the car is under weight the driver may elect to add more weight to the
car.
4. Glue guns and other tools will be available for last minute fixes prior
to car turn over for final inspection.
5. All cars must pass the pre-race inspection to qualify for the race;
failure to satisfy these requirements will result in the car not being
registered for the race. The inspection requirements are as follows:
· The car must have been made during the current year.
· The width of the car will not exceed 2-3/4 Inches.
· The length of the car will not exceed 7 inches.
· The height of the car will not exceed 3 and 3/4 inches.
· The clearance between the bottom of the wheels in contact with the track
and the bottom of the car will be no less than 3/8 of an inch.
· The weight of the car will not exceed 5 ounces.
· Axles, wheels, and body wood shall be as provided in the OFFICIAL CUB
SCOUT PINEWOOD DERBY KIT. No solid axles will be used. Under no
circumstances will any UNOFFICIAL or modified wheel; be allowed on the
cars.
· The kit axles, when they are secured to the car body, shall be visible
to the Inspectors. Clear glue or epoxy is permitted. Do not paint or
otherwise obscure the axles of the kit when attaching to the car body. The
nail heads must show.
· All wheels must contact the inspection table to within 1/16 of on inch.
· Wheel bearings, washers, and bushings are prohibited.
· Lubricants must be a dry type; no oils are permitted.
· The car will not ride on any type of springs.
· Any details added must be within length, width, height and weight limits.
· The car must be freewheeling, with no starting devices.
· No loose materials of any kind (such as lead shot) are allowed in the
car.
7. Each race heat will be announced. Under no circumstances will anyone,
other than the officials, handle the car after it passes inspection; is
turned over to a track official; or placed in the impound area.
8. The officials will make sure the cars are on the track properly in
order for a heat to start. An official will remove the car from the track
and place it back in the impound area for participation in additional race
heats. The car will remain in the impound area until the end of the derby.
9. If a car leaves the track, runs out of its lane, interferes with
another car, looses an axle, or otherwise crashes and does not make it to
the finish line, the heat will be re-run. Officials will allow the driver
to re-attach the lose wheel and axle in order for the car to return to the
race. If the same car gets into trouble on the second run, then the car is
disqualified and automatically looses that heat. If interfered with, the
other car will run a third race by itself.
