Pack 45 Pinewood Derby Rules

Fair Lawn Cub Scout Pack 45
Pinewood Derby Official Rules

The Pinewood Derby is open to all Cub Scouts. Cars should be built by the Cub Scouts with some adult guidance.
Any technical assistance should be fully explained to the Cub Scout so that he can use that knowledge on future projects.

CAR SPECIFICATIONS:
 Maximum width - 2-3/4"
 Maximum Length - 7" (including any authorized accessories)
 Minimum width between wheels - 1-3/4” – to ensure clearance of the lane guides.
 Minimum bottom clearance underneath the body (so it does not rub on the track guide) - 3/8"
 Overall height shall not exceed 3” so as to clear the scoring board.
 Weight – Car must weigh in at (not exceed) 5 ounces including any additional authorized weights/accessories. Loose materials of any kind are not permitted on or in the car. Weight fastened to the car by masking or scotch tape is not acceptable. Liquids may not be used as weights.

GENERAL RULES
Wheel bearings, washers, and bushings are prohibited. The car shall not ride on springs. Only official Cub Scout Grand Prix Pinewood Derby wheels and axles are permitted. Only dry lubricant is permitted. Details, such as steering wheel and driver are permissible as long as these details do not exceed the maximum length, width, and weight specifications. The car must be free-wheeling, with no starting devices. Each car must pass inspection by the official inspection committee before it may compete. If, at registration, a car does not pass 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.

BUILDING INSTRUCTIONS / SAFETY
1. Gather your safety essentials: dust mask, goggles, and latex gloves.
2. Wear eye protection at all times.
3. Monitor Cub Scouts' use of tools.
4. Wear dust mask when appropriate.
5. Work in a well-lighted and well-ventilated area.
6. Consider wearing gloves when using sharp tools.
7. Do not wear loose-fitting clothing.
8. Do not melt lead; handle lead with care.

9. Follow all safety rules and precautions listed on the tools and products you use.
Keep your work area clean and organized. Check the grooves to ensure that each is at a perfect 90-degree angle to
the car body. A car with untrue axles tends to steer to one side or the other, causing it to rub up against the side of
the lane strip, slowing it down. You can check the groove angles by using a square, a protractor, or even a piece of
paper.
Lay square on block to check for squareness and alignment of slot.
Use two hacksaw blades side by side to redress the slots. Use the edge of the square as a guide.
Choose your favorite design, then mark the block accordingly. Lay car body on the side, then gently drive the axles
into the grooves within 1/4" of the axle head. Axles should fit tight. With a pair of pliers, remove axles by pulling and
turning gradually. Repeat on the other side of block. Most of the cutting can be done with a hand saw, then finished
with sandpaper. Details such as fins and scoops should be added now. Any additional weight needed to achieve a
total of 5 ounces should be built into the car.
NOTE: If the car design you chose has a narrow body, make sure the area where the axles are inserted into the
body remains 1-3/4" wide, or wheels will not fit over the guide strips of the track.

PAINTING AND WHEEL ASSEMBLY
Apply several coats of sanding sealer; then sand entire car with a fine-grade sandpaper. Give model at least two
coats of fast drying paint, in your choice of color. When paint is completely dry sand with a fine sandpaper, apply a
final coat of paint and allow to dry thoroughly. To finish, rub entire car with a rubbing compound. Details such as
windshield, driver, racing numbers, etc., should be added now. For a super finish apply a coat of auto wax and rub to
a high gloss. Pre-lubricate axles and wheels using, dry powdered lubricant. Do not use regular oil or silicone spray,
since it may soften the plastic. Slide wheels over axles, then gently tap them into the car body grooves with a 1/4"
dowel or similar object to within 1/32" of car body. Make sure wheels turn freely.

ADDITIONAL PACK 45 RULES
Please note that there are items on the internet that can make a car literally twice as fast. Pack 45 will allow only the
BSA kits and materials to be used. Please note that motors and other devices are strictly prohibited:
1. Use only Official BSA Pinewood Derby Kit wood, wheels, and nails.
2. Assigned car numbers are to be placed on the front end (either on top or as a front plate) of the car.
3. Wheels may only be lightly sanded to smooth out molding imperfections in the tread area. Beveling,
tapering, thin sanding, wafering, or lathe turning of the wheels is prohibited. The decorative dots on the
wheel treads may not be removed. Lathing of the wheels is not permitted.
4. All cars must have 4 wheels. Each wheel must make contact with the track.
5. Washers, bushings, sleeves, or any types of wheel bearings and connecting axles are prohibited.
6. No starting devices, springs or “Hub Cap” style wheel coverings are allowed.

7. Motors, engines, or other propulsion may not be used.
8. The BSA axle grooves cannot be moved or modified in any way and must be used. These grooves should
not be covered in any manner. (e.g. axle fasteners or axle guides)
9. Only BSA stock axles can be used. Each wheel will have one independent axle.
10. The axles should not be mounted at an angle or deliberately bent in order to tip any of the wheel treads to
an angle.
11. Axles may be lubricated with only dry powder. (Graphite).
12. Details such as steering wheel, driver, windshield, decals, painting, and other interior/exterior items are
allowed as long as they do not cause the car to exceed any of the length, width, height, weight, or clearance
specifications.
13. Wheel wells that fully or partially cover the wheels are not allowed.
14. The Minimum Front Nose Width shall be at least 0.5” and parallel with the front axle to operate properly on
the track.
15. Cars must be no more than 3" high to fit under the finish gate.
16. All cars are to be inspected and stored safely prior to the race.

RACE DAY RULES
1. Cars must be registered no later than 30 minutes prior to race time.
2. Cars will be inspected and weighed during the registration period. Cars weighing too much will be allowed to remove weight. Cars weighing light will be allowed to add weight securely attached or imbedded weight. Lubrication (graphite) must be added before entering the facility. After modification, the car will be re-inspected and re-weighed.
3. Once the car passes inspection and weighing, the car will be impounded until after the race is over. Only official personnel will handle the cars during the race. The youth will not be allowed to touch/handle their car during the races.
4. Cars may be run with the Scout in absentia if the Scout/Family is unable to attend providing the car is submitted by the registration deadline and the car passes inspection.
5. If, during the race, the car becomes damaged, then the youth may to the best of his ability perform repairs.
6. If a car is damaged due to track fault or due to fault of another car or youth, then the track chairman, at his/her sole discretion, shall allow additional repair assistance.
7. If a car that is run in absentia is damaged, it will be disqualified as the car owner is not present for repairs.
8. If a car leaves its lane, at his sole discretion, the track chairman shall inspect the track and, if a track fault is found which probably caused the initial violation; the race chairman shall order the race to be rerun after the track is repaired.
9. Should the car be disqualified, the car shall race but the results will not be counted in the official race record for award, trophy or placing unless the car is for a Scout that is in absentia. That car will not continue to race.