Great Southwest Council, BSA
as of January 2013
1. Length, Width, and Clearance
a. Maximum overall width (including wheels and axles) shall not exceed 2-3/4” to prevent interference with the
adjoining lanes of the track.
b. Minimum width between wheels shall be 1-3/4" so car will clear the center guide strip (which is 0.25" height by 1.625" wide).
c. Minimum clearance between bottom of car and track shall be 3/8” so car will clear the center guide strip (which is 0.25" height by 1.625" wide).
d. Maximum length shall not exceed 7”. Cars shall have a relatively blunt front-end to lean squarely against the
starting device (located at bottom-centered-front of car).
e. The block of wood shall be from the official BSA kit.
f. The car shall be from this program year.
New Track/Car Height Requirement: Due to a change in pack 174's track, there is a height requirement for the new track!
The height of your car must be less than 4 inches to clear the new electronic timer. Please keep this in mind when building your car!!
2. Weight and Appearance
a. Weight shall not exceed five (5) ounces. The readings of the official race scale shall be final. The car may be
hollowed out and built up to the maximum weight by the addition of wood or metal only, provided it is securely
built into the body or firmly affixed to it. No loose materials of any kind are permitted in or on the car.
b. Mercury or other non-solid material shall not be added to the car.
c. LEAD is DISCOURAGED to be used in the car in any way. (health hazard)
d. Details, such as steering wheels, driver, spoiler, decals, painting, and interior details are permitted as long as
these details do not exceed the length, width, and weight specifications.
e. Cars with wet paint will not be accepted.
3. Lubrication
a. Only dry powder lubricants, such as graphite or silicone sprays may be used. Regular oils and some sprays may
soften the plastic wheels.
b. Cars may be lubricated before inspection. No further lubrication will be permitted.
4. Wheels and Axles
a. Only the official Scout Grand Prix wheels and axles shall be used. Wheels may be sanded to remove the mold
projections on the tread, but shall NOT be SHAPED. Beveling, tapering, thin sanding, wafering, lathe turning
or other modifications to the wheels are prohibited.
b. Wheel bearings, washers, and bushings are prohibited.
c. The car shall not ride on any type of springs or other suspension.
d. The car must be freewheeling with no starting device or other propulsion.
e. All four (4) car wheels must make flat contact with the track; no “3-wheeled” cars will be allowed.
f. The wheelbase (distance between front and rear axle) may NOT be changed.
5. Ground Rules
a. The race will be electronically judged. If a malfunction occurs, human judges will be appointed by the Pinewood
Derby Coordinator. They will be at the finish line. ALL judges must agree on the winner or the heat will be rerun.
b. If a car jumps off the track, the track will be checked and the heat will be run again. If the same car jumps the
track a second time (in the same heat), it will automatically lose the heat. The default time assigned by the track
will be used as the final time.
c. If a car leaves its lane and interferes with the other cars, the heat will be run again. If the same car leaves its lane
and interferes with the other cars a second time, the interfering car will automatically lose the heat. The race will be
run a third time, this time without the interfering car.
d. If a car suffers a mechanical problem, (meaning the car cannot get down the track, such as losing an axle, breaking a wheel, etc.,
the racer, or designee, will be allowed two (2)minutes for repair and the heat will be run again.
If the repair cannot be made within the allotted time,
the car will automatically lose the eat. Repairs will be performed in the designated Pit Area and will be witnessed by a judge.
No modifications other than the repairs will be allowed. Officials may not assist with the repairs.
e. Only race officials and authorized individuals will be permitted in the registration and track areas.
f. All show cars shall conform to the Pinewood Derby Rules and Regulations.
g. The Scout will race in the age group he raced in at the Pack Derby.
h. Proxies will be allowed, providing an adult representative for the Pack is responsible for the proxy cars from their unit.
6. Inspection and Disputes
a. Each car must pass inspection by the official inspection team before it may compete. The inspection team has the
responsibility to disqualify cars that do not meet the rules. Car owners will be informed of the violations and
given a chance to modify their car to meet the rules.
b. Any participant (including the parent of the racer) has the right to appeal to the race committee for an
interpretation of these rules. The race committee by majority vote will be the final judge of these rules. In case of
a tie vote, the decision of the race committee chair will be final.
c. Ungentlemanly or unsportsmanlike conduct by any participant or member of the audience
will be grounds for expulsion from the competition and/or the race area.
Need more information?
Contact the Derby Masters:
Kathy Ferdig: 239-4630
Eric Ferdig: 553-1115
Mark Dietrich: 681-8850