The car must be newly built for the current Cub Scouting year. The car should be substantially built by the Scout. Parental supervision in the construction of the car is encouraged.
The body of the car must be made from the block of wood provided in an official B.S.A. PD Kit (Cat. No. P1622). The wheels must be placed in the slots provided. If a wheel is broken and a new slot is needed, the slot can not exceed 1/4th of an inch from the original position (the original slots are cut at 41/2" ) . Wheels may not be designed to ride upon the guide strip of the track. Loose pieces that fall off during a race are not permitted. If the front of the car is designed to gain an unfair advantage at the start or interferes with a fair start, the car will be disqualified.
The axles of the car must be from the official B.S.A. PD Kit (Cat. No. P1622) or an official PD wheel replacement kit (Cat. No. P1622A). Axles must be firmly attached to the car. The use of a flexible suspension system of any type is prohibited.
The wheels of the car must be from the from the official B.S.A. PD Kit (Cat. No. P1622) or an official PD wheel replacement kit (Cat. No. P1622A). Wheels may not be altered in any way. Mold projection defects on wheel treads may be removed by sanding lightly. The wheels may not be sanded to enhance performance. The decorative dots on the wheel treads may not be removed. If wheel sanding is detected the car will be disqualified. The wheels must be attached to the car with the pins provided in the kit. No cars will be accepted in the District PD where bearings, washers, or spacers are used as part of the wheel assembly. The official wheel width is 0.34".
Lubrication - only graphite powder or the new B.S.A. white lube T102/polytetra fluor oethylene may be used to lubricate wheels. (Warning - other lubricants may damage the plastic wheels and keep them from turning freely.) The District PD will NOT provide graphite powder lubricants. Once the car is impounded, it may NOT be relubricated except when the wheel is damaged or becomes dislodged during a race. Graphite must be applied over a trash can or outside of the Mall.
The total weight of the car may not exceed 5 ounces. The maximum width of the car, including wheels, may not exceed 2.75 inches. The maximum length of the car may not exceed 7 inches. The motion of the car may not be mechanically aided (motor, springs, rubber bands, etc. are prohibited).
In order to run smoothly down the track, the minimum width between the wheels should be 1.75 inches and the minimum ground clearance should be 3/8 inches.
Each car will be inspected prior to the race. It must pass inspection and be in compliance with the rules before it will be allowed to compete. The District Executive, District Activities Chairman or their appointed representatives may disqualify any car that in their determination is not in compliance with the spirit of the PD race. Decisions of the officials are final.
All metallic attached objects that contain led must be covered with paint or fingernail polish.
Trophies will be awarded for First, Second and Third Place overall winners, as well as the First place winnder for each Cub Scout rank. Each participating Cub Scout will receive a Pinewood Derby participation patch.
Race rules.
Each racer brings their car to the registration table to have it inspected and numbered. The car and racer are then entered into the appropriate heat and the car is placed on the starter's table.
As each heat is announced, the starter (or assistant) place the cars at starting gate. The starter releases the gate to start the race.
The starter will act as the race judge, call the race valid or not, and inform the timer technician of their decision. The timer is the sole judge of the relative ranking of each finishing car.
The starter's assistant(s) (usually Den Chiefs) should return the cars to the Starter's table.
The winner of the race for each Cub Scout rank should proceed to the awards platform. After receiving their ribbon or trophy, the winner returns to the spectator area to await the overall race.
If a car leaves the track, runs out of its lane, interferes with another car, or loses an axle or other part, the race shall be rerun if the car can be repaired quickly. If the problem presents itself again in the second running then the car is judged as finishing last.
Building your car.
There are many varying and conflicting opinions of how to best prepare a Pinewood Derby car.
Here are a few web sites that you can use to perform basic research on the topic.
