1.0  General

1.1  District Pinewood Derby Participants. Pinewood Derby competition involves two categories: Speed and Show.  Pack First Place winners for either Speed or Show, or their alternates, are eligible to compete in the Burke Lake District Pinewood Derby. An alternate may be selected by respective Pack leadership in advance if the Den First Place winner cannot personally attend the District Pinewood Derby. One Scout for “Speed” and one for “Show” from each Den rank will compete. This means there could be up to ten (10) Scouts from each Pack representing the six(6) winners for Speed and another set of six (6) different Scouts as winners for Show.  A Scout may only compete in one category, Speed or Show, which must be the same category in which the Scout won at the Pack level.

1.2  Construction Guidelines. The Cub Scout should have fun racing a car built from materials in the Official Pinewood Derby Kit. Adults should work with the Scout and make the car as a project together, allowing the Scout to lead with their own creative ability. Adults should always supervise the use of any sharp or powered tools (drills, saws, sanders, etc.), but let the Scout get as much fun and experience out of building the car as possible. 

1.3  New Construction. All cars must be newly built from scratch using the Official BSA Pinewood Derby Kit (pre-cut cars are not allowed). Car construction must have started after the beginning of the current academic year.

1.4  Car Substitutions. Cub Scouts must register and compete the same car that won at the Pack Pinewood Derby during this academic year; substitute cars may not be used.

1.5  Inspection. Each car must pass inspection before it is registered and allowed to compete. Separate registration and inspection tables are provided at the building entrance.

1.6  Competition Categories. There will be two competitive events, “Speed” and “Show,” for each Den: Lions, Tigers, Wolves, Bears, Webelos and Arrow of Light. See Section 3 for Speed Category Car Requirements and Section 5 for Show Competition Specifics.

2.0 Conduct of Competition

2.1  Sportsmanship. Good Sportsmanship Is Expected By All Present.

2.2  Registration.

2.2.1   All participants MUST be pre-registered prior to race day. Each Pack must submit pre-registration for their entire Pack via email to the Burke Lake District Pinewood Derby Race Director utilizing the Registration form on this site.

2.2.2   On race day, all participants are required to check-in to complete registration prior to the start time of the Scout’s respective Den competition. Please ensure that enough time is provided so that any alterations necessary at registration can be completed in time for the start of Den competition.

2.2.3   Entrants must be in the registration line at the time that registration closes in order to be accepted for inspection and registration.

2.2.4   Car Check-In. Pinewood Derby Race Officials will weigh, measure and inspect the cars. If there is a problem with weight, measurement, or other issue, the Scout will be allowed to make modifications at the “Pit Area” as needed. Modifications must be completed by the time registration closes. When the car meets the weight/measure criteria, a number sticker will be affixed under the car and taken to the “Impound” area awaiting race time. Once registered, only race officials are  permitted to handle cars.

2.2.5  Attendance. Cub Scouts must be present for the entire Den competition to compete for recognition. Should the Scout not be present at the awards ceremony, the next in-place racer will be awarded that trophy. Every effort will be made to accommodate a Scout in the case of illness, or family emergency. However, the Pinewood Derby is a District event and participation by each Scout is important to ensure all Scouts can compete and be recognized for their achievements. The Race Director will make a final determination as to whether an exception will be granted.  The following specifics apply:

3.0 Speed Category Car Requirements

3.1     Car Dimension Requirements.

Width............................ The car cannot be more than 2¾” wide.

Length.......................... The car cannot be more than 7” long.

Weight.......................... The car cannot exceed 5.0 ounces.

Height........................... The car must fit underneath the timing device (~8”).

3.2  Gravity Power. The race car must only be powered by the force of gravity. Cars may not be constructed in such a way that the track's starting mechanism imparts momentum to the car. This provision disqualifies cars with sticky substances on the front of the car or protrusions that may catch on the starting pin.

3.3  Weight. The weight of the car will be determined using the official scale at the registration desk. At the time of final weigh-in, all car parts and materials must be firmly attached to the car.  If the car is over or under the weight limit, weight can be removed or added by the Scout at the Pit Area until registration closing time for his rank.  If any modifications are made to the car, it must be re-weighed to complete registration. Cars must weigh less than or equal to five (5.0) ounces (total weight) as determined on the official scale during registration.

3.4  Weights and Attachments. Weights may be added to the car and will be considered part of the car for purposes of all measurements. All weights and attachments must be securely fastened to the car (e.g. by permanent glue, nails or screws) and not by sticky substances (e.g. tape, or tack spray). Weights and attachments must be passive (i.e. non-moveable, non-magnetic, non-sticky, etc.).

3.5  Height. Cars must pass cleanly through the timing device at the end of the track. While there is no technical maximum or minimum height for the car, the minimum clearance required for the timing device is ~eight (8) inches.

3.6  Wheels and Axles.

3.6.1   Only Official BSA Pinewood Derby Kit wheels and axles will be used. Colored official BSA wheels available at the Scout Store are also acceptable.

3.6.2   Wheel treatment (hub and tread smoothing and polishing) may not result in substantial removal of mass or in reducing the wheel width from the original kit wheels. Wheel shape may not be altered from the original condition (i.e. rounded, beveled, cupped, etc.). Wheels may be lightly sanded to remove the molding seam on the tread and hub. The wheel tread (the flat surface of the wheel) may not be rounded or otherwise shaped (e.g. convex or concave sanding/shaping). Wheels may not be narrowed.  All identifying markings noting official original Pinewood Derby wheels must be fully visible.

3.6.3   Cars may not have: hubcaps, washers, inserts, sleeves, or bearings.

3.7  Track Clearance.

3.7.1   The car must clear the lane guide on the racetrack. Vertical clearance must be at least 3/8” as stated in the Rules and Specifications guide contained in each Pinewood Derby Kit.  If the car does not clear the lane guide it will not be able to finish a run on the track, making it non-competitive.

3.7.2   Cars must be 1¾” wide at the point where the axle enters the body to ensure that the wheels will straddle the lane guide on the racetrack (note: this is the original width of the car body wood block).

3.8   Additional Disqualifying Modifications. Cars may not have:

3.9  Front of Car Shaping. To eliminate possible starting problems, cars must retain a blunt surface at the center of the front “bumper” (at least ½ inch-wide minimum and centered) to contact the track starting peg (cars that are shaped to a sharp point may slip off the peg).  In addition, the front of the car shall not include a concave shape that allows any part of the vehicle to extend forward of the starting peg contact point.

3.10  Starting Peg Problems. For any cars that do not sit properly on the starting peg, race officials will place them in the backward position in an attempt to overcome the problem.  If neither position works acceptably, the car will have to be modified by its owner to correct the problem or its race times will be disallowed.

3.11  Detailing. Painting or stickers, such as steering wheels, drivers, decals, painting, etc. are all acceptable. 

3.12  Lubrication. The only lubricants permitted to be used on the car axles and wheels are dry powdered graphite or dry Teflon-based lubricant.  Liquid lubricants such as oils or silicone sprays are strictly prohibited.  These can cause the wheels on the car to deteriorate, collect dust, and perhaps cause damage to or alter the track.  NO hubcaps or coverings of any kind will be placed on the wheels to hold additional lubricant.

3.13  Pit Area. Although there will be a Pit Area for final adjustments to cars, parts (e.g., weights, wheels, graphite, etc.) are not provided by Burke Lake District. Racers are encouraged to bring additional tools and materials to make any final adjustments.

4.0  Speed Category Race Conduct

4.1  The Speed category race is conducted on three (3) lanes of the track with each car racing once on each lane. Winners for each race are announced with times displayed. Final results for each Den are calculated based on the average time over the course of three heats (each lane time is added together and divided by the number of heats). 

4.2  Ties. If there is a tie on any particular heat, the race will continue to complete all heats. Should there be a tie at the end of the Den competition the tied cars will compete in a tie-breaker race-off. Each car will then race once each on the two lanes  (to eliminate any lane variances) and the lowest average score will win.

4.3  Track or Timing System Malfunction. Should there be a malfunction of the track or timing equipment the heat will be rerun at the discretion of the Race Director.

4.4  Car Interference. If a car leaves its lane and interferes with another car, the heat will be rerun. If a car is damaged from incidental contact, a race official will make reasonable efforts to repair the car(s) and then the heat will be rerun. If the problem occurs again, the car at fault will be disqualified and the heat will be rerun, without the interfering car.

4.5  Car Leaves Lane or Track. If a car leaves its lane or the track in a manner that does not interfere with other cars, the car in question will be given the maximum time of five (5) seconds for that heat and the next race heat will be called in sequence. If the problem occurs again, the car at fault will be disqualified from the competition.

4.6  Car Repair. If a car is damaged after registration, a race official will make reasonable efforts to repair the car with the assistance of the Cub Scout and his adult partner or a Pit Crewmember. All car repairs will be conducted in the “Pit Area” and will be limited to five (5) minutes or until the car is scheduled to race in its next heat, whichever is greater. No other modifications or adjustments to the car are allowed (e.g. application of additional lubrication). If damage is caused by a race official, the Race Director will provide as much time as possible to repair the car with the understanding that there is a limit as to how long racing can be reasonably suspended.

4.7  Car Does Not Finish. Should a car stop on the track causing it to be unable to trigger the finish in the assigned lane, the car will be given the maximum time of five (5) seconds for that heat.

4.8  The Race Area. Only race officials may enter the “Race Area” cordoned off by flagged racing ropes. To ensure the race is conducted fairly for all, this rule will be strictly enforced. Parents are requested to help ensure that Scouts and siblings respect this boundary.

5.0 Show Category Competition

5.1  Each car for Show must also be registered to compete as delineated in the Race Day Schedule in Section 6 below.

5.2  Cars competing in the Show category are exempt from of the designed limitations cited in the Speed Category Specifics (Section 3) above. Show category entries must use the Official BSA Pinewood Derby Kit, as the basis for their entry. There are no other height, weight, width or other restrictive requirements for preparation of Show category entries, other than that the car should be the Scout’s own work as appropriate for his age and rank; the Scout should be as creative as he or she wishes.

5.3  Judging for the Show competition will be conducted concurrently with the Speed competition. Judges will determine “Best in Show” first, second, and third place winners.

6.0 Race Day Schedule

6.1  Registration opens once racing for the previous rank begins. Registration closes five (5) minutes prior to race time to allow racers to be entered into the racing computer and sequencing to be calculated. Late arrivals will be considered at the discretion of the Race Director.

6.2  The computer displays behind the track will show progress of registration once racing is complete for the previous Den. Parents, and Scouts should check to ensure that they are marked as “Registered” to avoid any inadvertent omissions.

6.3  Trophy ceremonies will take place immediately following each rank competition once the final tally and results are calculated by the Race Director.

6.4  Changes to the race day schedule due to inclement weather or other factors will be communicated by the District Pinewood Derby Committee to Pack leadership (who are responsible for contacting parents) as soon as practical.

Race Day Schedule: