The 2010 Pinewood Derby Roster List has been published, Click here to confirm your Car Number Assignment.

General Rules and Guidelines

The Pinewood Derby is designed to be a learning experience for a boy.  It enables him to design, construct, and detail his car through adult supervision.  The race itself is an opportunity to enrich competition, sportsmanship, and sharing.  In an attempt to enhance and secure these purposes the following rules have been established for Pack 909:

1.      Scouts are trust worthy.

2.      Each boy must be a registered Pack 909 Cubscout to enter the race.

3.      Cars must be made the same year of the derby, by the boy with minimum help from the parent as age appropriate.  Previous year's cars cannot be used!  Parents are expected to maintain a level of integrity and not use cars that were purchased pre-made, or constructed using industrial means that give an unfair advantage over other boys.  

4.      Each car will be assigned a Car Number by random draw at an earlier Pack Meeting.  Each car must display the number assigned to it as part of its decoration.  NO EXCEPTIONS!  

5.      The car must be built using the materials in the official BSA pinewood derby race kit.  This includes a block of wood, 4 nails (axles), and BSA wheels (other colored wheels may be used as long as they are official BSA stamped wheels).  Other embellishments may be used as long as they do not violate other rules.

6.      All cars must pass inspection to qualify to race and the physical car must meet the following guidelines:

a.       All cars must not be higher than 3 inches from the tabletop.

b.      Clearance between wheels on the same axle must be at least 1 3/4 inches.

c.       The overall width of the car shall not be more that 2 ¾ inches.  The car should have at least 3/8-inch clearance underneath (from tabletop to bottom of car).

d.      The length of the car shall not be more than 7 inches.

e.       The weight of the car shall not be more than 5.0 ounces (141.8 grams) as weighed by the official designated Pack Scale.

f.        The design of the car must allow for it to be held by the starting gate, and no part of the car can extend beyond the inside edge of the starting gate release rods.

g.       The car shall not ride on any type of spring.

h.       Distance between the front and rear axles must be the same as comes in the original kit slots. Approximately 4-3/8 inches or 11 CM.

i.         The 4 axles furnished with the kit and any official BSA wheels (any color) must be used. Wheel bearings, washers and bushings are not allowed.

j.        Wheels may be lightly sanded to remove any burs or imperfections.   Wheels cannot be reshaped or altered.  (See Cub Scout Grand Prix book pg. 14 & 15)*

k.      The car must be freewheeling with no starting devices.

l.         No oil, grease, or silicone spray may be used on the axles or wheels.  Only powdered or liquid-to-dry graphite is allowed.

m.     Painting and detailing are allowed so long as they are within all rules and acceptable in the spirit of scouting.

n.       The car will be impounded at the weigh-in the night before and cannot be altered in any way for the duration of the race.

7.      After the car is impounded, only race judges, officials and starters may handle it as designated by the judges.

8.      If during derby race heat a car jumps the track more than twice during a repeated run it will be disqualified for that heat, if it fails to complete two heats, it will disqualified for the race portion of the derby.

9.      All decisions of the judges are final.

10.  No cars will be allowed to race with wet paint.

11.  All Cub Scouts will show proper sportsmanship before, during and after the race. This rule applies to parents as well. Over-zealous parents will cause the disqualification of their son's car! Remember, this is a Cub Scout race for the boys to enjoy and have fun; this should be encouraged at all times...

12.  A race schedule will be run based on the number of entries.   Generally, all cars will be run at least three times in time trials.   The best of the three (plus) times will be used in determining the final twelve, who then will run in an elimination race off.   The Top Six speed places will be awarded trophies.  The race will use Grand Prix Race Manager V.8 or better.   A race schedule and scoring will be determined by the software and winners will be determined by an automated timer (laser-eye) gate.  Disputes to any heat and final results will be reviewed by the Cubmaster, and Assistant Cubmasters; their decision is final.

13.  The Best Decorated (Coolest Car) Trophy will be voted on by the Cub Scouts of the Pack, by secret ballot.   This trophy is awarded to the car that best inspires a boy’s peers, within the pack.

14.  The Most Original Car Trophy will be awarded by a guest judge. This trophy is intended to recognize the boy that shows the most creativity in the design and construction of his car.

15.  The Rookie of the Year Trophy will be awarded to the best finishing speed first year racer who does not win any other trophy.

16.  NO Boy will be eligible to win more than one trophy. The trophies will be awarded from 'Fastest Racer' down to 'Rookie of the Year' as listed in above items 12 - 15. Trophies will be awarded at the end of the race. 

17.  The Cubmaster Challenge is for parents of Pack members ONLY. The car must be made by hand the year of the race, or be at least 20 years old.   No Cub Scouts or Boy Scout Cars...   The rules of the challenge will generally follow the boys rules, HOWEVER, the rules are subject to change the night or even during the race, once the Cubmaster has had a chance to size up the competition...