Car Specifications
All cars must pass inspection by the official inspectors to qualify for the race. Cars must be lubricated and ready to race before they are brought to the inspection table. Cars not meeting the specifications may be modified in order to comply, but must pass inspection and be ready to race by 9:00 AM. Saturday. The inspectors have the right to disqualify any cars that do not meet the specifications. After inspection is passed, the car will be placed in the pit area and may not be modified in any way, except replacing lost axles/wheels, until the completion of the derby (wheel lubrication may not be reapplied during the race or just prior to the start of the race – doing so will disqualify the car). PLEASE TRY AND HAVE YOUR CAR READY FRIDAY NIGHT. We will open pit lanes at 7:00 p.m. for test runs. If you are happy with your car’s performance, we will inspect it and keep it overnight. You will not be allowed to modify the car once it goes through final inspection. We would really like to have MOST of the cars entered in on Friday night so we can get started promptly Saturday morning.
- The car must have been made during the current year that the derby is being held. This means you CANNOT use last year’s super speeder.
- The width of the car shall not exceed 2 3/4 inches outside of wheel to outside of wheel and
1 3/4 inches between wheels.
- The length of the car shall not exceed 7 inches. Please be aware that due to the design of our
starting gates, cars with pointed noses may not start cleanly so design accordingly.
(A box with the inside dimensions (2 ¾" – total width by 7" – total length) will be used to measure the car. The car MUST fit inside this box. Cars that do not must be modified to fit in order to participate in the race.)
- The total height of the car must freely pass under the electronic eye at the finish end of the track.
- A tool is available for purchase from the Scout shop that will assist in the dimensions of your car along with axle and wheel placement, and avoiding wheel camber.
- The weight of the car shall not exceed 5 ounces. For the Pack race, the Pack’s official scale will be the final determination of your car’s weight.
- The ground clearance of the car must be at least 3/8 inches so the car will not bottom out on the track.
- You MUST use the OFFICIAL Cub Scout Grand Prix Pinewood Derby Kit #17006 for your Axles, wheels, and body wood.
- Wheel bearings, washers, and bushings are prohibited.
- Only dry lubricant may be used and may only be applied at the beginning of the race and may not be reapplied during the course of the race.
- Wheels furnished in the official Pinewood Derby Kit may not be altered in any way except for the sanding smooth of the 1 plastic burr on the flat part of the wheel. Do NOT alter the ribbed edge of the wheel.
- Hubcaps are prohibited.
- The axles (nails) furnished in the official kit may be sanded to remove burrs, but no other part of the axle may be otherwise altered. You must use the axle provided, no exceptions. All cars must use the precut slot for the axle placement, no altering of the car’s wheelbase. Slots may not be altered in any way except to correct a defect, so follow the instructions with the kit for defect correction. Inspectors must be able to visually inspect the axle to confirm that the correct axle has been used. Please do not use axle guards, paint, gorilla glue or any kind of car parts that hide the axles.
- When resting on a flat, hard surface, all four wheels must contact the surface. The entire width of the wheel must contact the surface, not just the inside or outside edge.
- The car shall not ride on any kind of springs.
- Any details such as figurines, ladders windshields, headlights, etc. added must be within the length, width, height, and weight limits and all items should be secured to the car.
- The car must be freewheeling, with no starting devices.
- No loose materials of any kind are allowed in the car. All weights must be securely attached to the car.
- Each car will be given a race number for identification purposes.
Other information:
- For more information about building your car, please refer to the kit instructions or to "Cub Scout Grand Prix" # 33721A. Accessory kits are available in the council Scout Shop to detail your car.
- Good sportsmanship and the Cub Scout motto, Do Your Best, should be demonstrated by all Cub Scouts and families at our race. Cheer and support other Scouts as they continue to race and be present for the awards presentation. We’d love for everyone to stay for the entire race for the Pack, but understand if you have other commitments. Please help in some way with cleanup if you need to leave earlier. We would LOVE help cleaning up after the race is completed. You may be asked to help during the race. Please say "yes."
- It should be noted that the rules listed above are the official district pinewood derby championship rules as well as ours, so please abide by them.
- Please remember that we are just volunteers and we are using the available equipment that we have. We will do our best to make sure we record the correct number of races, handle your car properly, and watch the lights on the electronic finish line scorer to see which car wins. Remember the Cub Scout motto, DO YOUR BEST, and please refrain from arguments that detract from the friendly competitive nature of this race. If you have any concerns during the race, please let us know nicely and quickly so we can address your concerns promptly. But in the end, all decisions made will be final and will be made by the Cubmaster and Official Race Committee.
- The majority of the work on the car must be done by the Cub Scout. Parents are urged to assist and guide the Scout, but should not build the car for him. The use of power and hand tools is acceptable, but should be monitored closely and may be done by the adult if deemed unsafe for the child. Designing, sanding, painting, decorating, etc. should be done by the Cub Scout. Remember, we have a race just for adults with no rules so you can race "your" car as well.
- If you have questions in interpreting the rules as you are building your car, see Wes Koonts or Tom Franklin (PACK 316) on any Tuesday night. Please refrain from trying to "sneak one by," as this does not set a good example for the young people who are watching and learning by our actions. Most cars that are not allowed to race are a result of either misinterpreting the rules or by knowingly trying to get by with something and then getting caught. We do not wish to disappoint the Cub Scouts by having to disqualify a car, but we will do so if the identified problem is not resolved.
You do not have to be present to race your car with the Pack, but should your car lose a wheel or axle and cannot be repaired, we will need to take it out of the race unfortunately, but we will do our best to make sure everyone who started the race ends the race well. Hopefully, we won’t have any wheel troubles during race day.
Good Luck and Happy Racing to all our Pack 316 scouts.
Please ask if you have ANY questions. Once we have a definite date for the derby, we’ll let you know!
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