The Pinewood Derby (PWD) occurs in February. Contact your den leader for the car kit so your scout(s) can get started on their design. The upcoming holiday breaks are a great time to get out in the garage and do some building!
If you are new to Scouting and Pinewood Derby this year, please take a look at this Wikipedia article for a good overview of what it is: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinewood_derby
When building your cars with your scouts, please be advised of the following BSA guidelines:
Rules and Regulations
Only official BSA pinewood derby car kits are to be used for construction of your cars. The pack has provided kits to the Den Leaders to distribute to each scout. The body in the Official BSA Pinewood Derby Kit must be used. The body may be shaped, hollowed out, or built up from the original block, as long as it meets all other specifications. The pre-cut kits, available at many hobby shops, will not be allowed.
Cars will be inspected during registration for compliance to the specifications set forth below. Cars will be quarantined upon registration. After being quarantined, repairs will be limited to replacement of axles/wheels that are broken or lost during the races.
1. Width. Cars cannot be more than 2 ¾ inches wide.
2. Length. Car cannot be more than 7 inches long.
3. Weight. Finished car cannot weigh more than 5 ounces. The weight shown on the Official Race Scale is final. All car parts and materials must be firmly attached. To increase the car’s weight, add wood or metal only. Don’t use mercury to add weight because it’s not safe. There will be tools and various weights available at the race if last-minute adjustments are necessary. Once cars have been weighed in and registered, further adjustments will not be allowed.
4. Wheel Placement. The car body must be at least 1 ¾ inches wide at the axles. It must clear the ground by at least 3/8 inch. Please do not place weights on the bottom of the car as this will cause the car to not have enough clearance when placed on the track. If desired, you may change the wheelbase (distance between front and rear axles). The four wheels, two on each side of the car, must be placed such that the car will straddle the lane guide.
5. Wheels and Axles. Use only official Scout Grand Prix wheels and axles. You can polish the axles. You may not use bearings, washers, or bushings.
6. Springing. The car may not ride on any type of springs.
7. Details. Details such as steering wheel, driver, decals, painting, and interior details are okay. The finished car with details must meet the maximum length, width, clearance, and weight rules. Cars with wet paint will not be accepted.
8. Attachments. The car must be free-wheeling with no starting devices, stored energy, or movable weights.
9. Lubrication. Use dry powdered graphite ONLY. You may not use any other lubricant, especially oils and silicone sprays. No graphite may be applied after car inspection.
10. Inspection. Each car must pass inspection by the Official Inspection Committee before it may compete. The Inspectors will disqualify any car not meeting these rules. Any adult or scout may appeal the findings of the Inspectors to the Race Committee Chair-person, whose decision is final.
11. Attendance. The Pinewood Derby event is a community Scouting event. The Scout is expected to check in his or her own car, and stay for the races. If the Scout is unable to attend the event, his car may be checked in by surrogate and considered for design awards only. The car will be run in the speed races, but will not be considered for speed race competition.
12. New cars for THIS RACE. The car entered for competition in the Pack 535 PWD must have been built new for this race only. Cars which have raced in other Pack’s PWD or previous versions of this Pack’s PWD will not be eligible for speed or design competition.
Please contact Peter Pickerill if you have any questions or concerns about the event, cars/construction, or interest in volunteer positions petepickerill@gmail.com
