Derby Rules 2023

Must be built by the Cub Scout with parental assistance

Use entire official Grand Prix Pinewood Derby Kit

No pre-cut cars or parts from other kits

Use black wheels and axles supplied

All 4 wheels must touch test-track

Must be built new this year

Do not modify axle slots 

Maximum of 5.00 oz

The car MUST be built by the Cub Scout with his parents’ assistance from the “entire official Grand Prix Pinewood Derby Kit” provided by the Pack. 

a) No pre-cut cars or cars or parts from other kits are acceptable.

Car must be built this year.

a) Cars from earlier years are not eligible.

The car, including paint, decals and decorations, may be a maximum of 5.00 oz. 

a) The weight shown by the official check-in scale will be official for all cars regardless of any other claims. 

b) Weight changes are permitted during the check-in period, but not once the car has been impounded. 

c) No liquid or movable weights or mercury-weighted cars will be allowed.

ONLY the axles and black wheels supplied in the official kit provided by the Pack may be used. 

a) Professionally finished wheels or axles are not allowed.

b) Solid axles are not allowed.

c) No spring or suspension systems.

d) The built-in axle slots in the block must be used and cannot be modified.

e) The wheelbase (distance between the centers of the front and rear axles) must remain the same distance as provided in the official kit.

f) The axles and the axle heads cannot be covered up (i.e. they must be visible to allow for inspection).

g) Axles may be polished and any burrs and ridges may be removed. Light sanding of the wheels to remove irregularities is permissible.

h) No rounding or reshaping of wheels is permitted. Excessive sanding or work done to the wheels will not be permitted. The serrated edges of the wheel treads must be visible. No covers, stickers, or hubcaps will be allowed over the wheel or axles. No bearings, washers, bushings or other “non-kit” additions or use of parts from other kits are allowed.

i) All 4 wheels must touch the test-track surface during check-in.

Cars will be started simultaneously by gate lever.

a) No part of the car may extend past the starting line when positioned on the track. 

b) Any car with a pointed nose which does not rest against the starting pin properly or has an unfair advantage may, at the discretion of the race officials, lead to a disqualification. 

c) The car may be run backwards if necessary to avoid disqualification. 

Only dry powder graphite or white BSA wheel and axle lubricant may be used to lubricate the wheels and axles.

a) No oil, grease or silicone lubricants are allowed

Any decorations or added weight must be permanently attached to the car. (glue, nails, screws, etc.)

a) The car must be 7 inches or less in length.

b) The car must be 2 3⁄4 inches wide or less including the wheels.

c) The wheels must be 1 3⁄4 inches apart to ensure that the wheels will fit over the guide strip on the track.

d) The car must have clearance above the track of at least 3/8 inches.

a) The car must be freewheeling with no starting devices or propulsion.
b) The nose of the car cannot be grooved or slotted in any manner which causes it to have the front of the car past the starting pin and that will place the front of the car closer to the finish gate.
c) The underside of the front of the car may not be undercut so as to allow the cars’ nose to hang out or jump over the top of the starting gate.
d) The nose of the car must touch the starting pin, this will provide for an equal start and finish.
e) Cars with wet paint cannot be accepted.

To ensure fairness, race officials will make final judgments on the qualifications of all cars.

a) During registration, race officials may suggest reasonable adjustments to the car and provided time to make adjustments before any disqualification.

After registration no cars will leave the impound area. 

a) Re-lubrication of wheels, weight adjustments or any other alterations will not be permitted once the cars are impounded.

b) All cars may be re-weighed and/or re-inspected at any time, which shall be at the sole discretion of the race officials.

a) If a car leaves the track or a wheel comes off before the car reaches the finish line (and the car can be repaired), the race will be rerun. A one-time, five minute pit stop may be allowed to repair the car. The official Pack mechanic or designee in consultation with the parent will make all repairs. Only the Pack mechanic or designee may handle the car.

b) If the time for two or more cars is tied, the race will be rerun with cars kept in their original lanes.

c) All disputes are subject to the resolution of the Race Officials.

Entries cannot be accepted after the start of the first heat of each program level.

a) The Pack will hold separate races for each of the following divisions: Tiger, Wolf, Bear, Webelos and Arrow of Light.

b) The four cars with the lowest combined time from each division will compete in the Pack Finals—the final event of the day. 

c) Cars that qualify for the Pack Finals will remain impounded.

Each car in a division will be ranked by combining four race times, once for each lane.

a) Lane selection will be determined randomly by the race management software.

b) The winners will be determined by the lowest combined time of all four races.

c) Each car is racing against the clock.

d) The results of each heat do not determine the best overall time or the final position in each division.

e) A car could win all four heats and still not rank in the top four positions for the division.

a) Trophies will be awarded to the four cars with the lowest combined time in each division (Lion, Tiger, Wolf, Bear, Webelos, and Arrow of Light Divisions).

b) If any of the cars within each of these groups have an identical combined time (e.g. tie) or any additional cars (e.g. fifth or more) have an overall time identical to that of the top four cars, these (tied) cars will compete in a run-off to determine their finishing position.

c) Trophies will only be awarded for first through fourth positions.

d) Trophies will also be awarded to the four cars with the lowest combined time in the Pack Finals round, which will consist of the fastest four cars from each division. 

e) Awards (All Divisions) – various certificates (e.g., most rad, most realistic, most original, best paint job, etc.) will be awarded in each division. Certificates for each division will be judged by Webelos and Arrows of Light. Webelos will judge the Arrows of Light; Arrows of Light will judge the Webelos.

To be determined...

Traditionally, cars in each division with the top four times were encouraged to compete at the Munsee District Pinewood Derby. Cars that won best workmanship and best design were also encouraged to compete. In recent years, all interested scouts have been encouraged to register for the district derby, regardless of position in the pack finals.

See: Detailed Pinewood Derby Schedule