Derby Rules

Derby Rules / Standards

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) Below!!

FAQ Printout

Printable Rules/Standards Here

NOTICE!!!

To enter and run a Pinewood Derby car in the

Pack 205 Derby,

ONLY the rules below apply.

Rules from

anywhere else do not apply

to this Derby!!

Rules / Decisions by the Racemaster are FINAL.

Do not use any rules from any on-line derby site!

Start work on your car early so that you don’t make any mistakes by rushing the job. When your car is finished: DON’T PLAY WITH IT!! You may damage it or loosen the wheels which must be tight if the car is to complete at least three heats.

Let your parents help you build the car and make sure that they follow your engineering plans to the letter! You really don’t have to test the car in a wind tunnel because it won’t be doing any aerospace work but make sure that you follow the rules and hints on the back of this page in order to have the best chance to win a prize!

Pack 205

Official

Rules

All cars must be made from official BSA GRANDPRIX Pinewood Derby car kits ONLY, including the wheels and axles. Colored wheels and axel re-enforcers from the BSA ARE allowed. Cars judged to be made from pre-cut or other brand cars or other axles or wheels will be disqualified by the judges/racemaster. Decoration is your choice.
Each boy MUST build a NEW CAR. You may not use an older car from a previous race or year.
A sibling's or parent's car may NOT be used in place of a boy's car.
Boys MUST be present at the Derby for the car to be entered or raced in the Derby. Special problems will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
All cars will be weighed in by OUR digital scale for a 5oz. limit as determined by OUR scale. Be prepared to adjust your car’s weight if it exceeds the limit. COME ON TIME to the weigh-ins for adjustments!
If a car bounces off the track, the heat will be re-run once. It will be disqualified on the second jump and will be given a default time of 20 seconds by the computer.
If a cub brings a car AFTER the Derby starts, we will TRY to get it into the race. However, placement will not count. PLEASE BE PROMPT OR YOUR SON WILL BE DISAPPOINTED!!!!
Cars CANNOT be adjusted after entry other than a spot repair between heats with the approval of the Racemaster.
NO GRAPHITE may be used on the car.
Decisions by the Racemaster are final.
ONLY Pack 205 Rules may be used for this Derby!

Standards

Max Height: 3 1/2 inches

Max Length: Original wheelbase ONLY!

Altering position of the axle slots is

FORBIDDEN.

BUT...You can make the body longer.

Max Wheel Width..: As originally supplied in the box.

Wheels........: DO NOT alter wheel width spacing.

DO NOT hang anything below the

original bottom of the car.

Inlay weights as necessary.

Max Weight: 5oz.

(will be checked by OUR digital scale.)

(BUT BSA Colored wheels MAY be used)

Construction Hints &

Warnings

	Make sure car is close to 5oz. but don’t get ridiculous.
	Aerodynamics NOT a consideration!
	Make sure axles are straight and snug into bottom of slots.
	Place 1 drop of glue onto each shaft in slot.
	Lubricate with silicone or light machine oil just before the race.
	DON'T USE GRAPHITE!!!
	Don’t play with car after installing the wheels. This will loosen them..
	When adding weight make sure that it is VERY secure. Loose weights cause mis-tracking. Spread the added weight over the entire length of the car, not all on the front or rear or your car may bounce off the track.
	WEIGHTS UNDER THE CAR MUST NOT PROTRUDE FROM BOTTOM!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) FAQ Printout
Can I change the distance between the wheels?	NO!	The car must run over a center guide. Changing the wheel spacing will cause the car to mis-track and/or interfere with adjacent lanes.
Can I change the front-to-back distance between the wheel axles?	NO!	Since it is difficult to get the slots parallel, and not every one can do this, it is forbidden. The car will be disqualified.
Can I paint the car any color I want to?	YES!	Paint, crayon, varnish, Jello(?), mud, magic-marker, chalk, burn(?), cauterize, smear... OK, no mud or Jello(too messy)
Can I make the car ANY shape?	Almost	The shape of the car can not extend beyond the OUTSIDE of the wheels (this will cause interference with adjacent cars. Cars have a height limit (see the size rules above). Length is almost unlimited, but spreading the car's weight over a large distance will cause it to mis-track. Be reasonable.
Must I put weights on the car?	No, but...	If the car is too light (at least 4oz.) it will not accelerate very well due to imperfections in just about everything.
If I use them, what kind of weights can I put on the car?	Any kind	You can be as inventive as you want with weights. Yes, you MAY buy pre-made weights at a hobby shop.
Where can I put weights?	Almost anywhere	You can also be inventive in weight placement BUT you are STRONGLY ADVISED NOT to hang the weights under the car. You may recess them under the car however. Hanging weights may rub on the locating rail and slow down or stop the car.
Can I put moving/movable weights on the car?	Yes	NOT ADVISABLE: This may cause the car to bounce off the track.
Can I buy/use store-bought special wheels or axles?	NO!	Use only the ones supplied with the kit. (or official BSA colored wheels)
Can I smooth/round-off, balance, sand, polish or paint the wheels?	Yes	This may be an advantageous thing to do.
Can I use a pre-cut car from a hobby shop?	NO!	Premade/cut cars will be disqualified. Don't even think about it! We'll be checking...
Can I air-spray the car?	Sure	But why bother? It won't get you anything because aerodynamics are a non-entity in these races. I would wager to say that none of the boys can do this. It sure would knock the car out of the Most original territory! Let your cub paint it himself! Big points for a car that looks like the cub made it....
How much should the car weigh?	5oz. Max	Between 4oz. & 5oz. is ideal. Don't get ridiculous and try for 4.9999999 ounces!
Where can I weigh my car?	Anywhere BUT>>>	The final weight will be measured by OUR digital scales. Come to our pre-weigh-in for a valid weighing.
Should I lubricate the wheels?	YES	Without lubrication you could loose up to 40% of it's possible speed. Use silicone or light petroleum oil, vegetable oil, salad dressing, spaghetti sauce, Mobile 1! DON'T USE GRAPHITE: It makes a mess and there is absolutely no advantage in using graphite.
How high can I make the car?	3.5inches MAX	See the construction specs above.
Will my car be inspected and weighed at the Derby?	Yes	WE CHECK FOR ILLEGAL CARS ALSO!
Can I change the weight of my car at the Derby?	Yes, But..	You may change your car's weight only before the car is accepted and placed in the parking lot.
Can I race the car if I come late to the Derby?	Yes, BUT	Although we will run your car in the Derby, whatever place it winds up in will not count, even if it's 1st. place. Part of the Derby is to get there on time!
Can I fix my car if it breaks during a race?	Yes	We will wait a reasonable amount of time for quick repairs to the car to get it racing again. The Racemaster will judge when unreasonable becomes obvious....
Can I officially race a non-authorized car?	NO, BUT	1. Why would you do that? 2. If it fits on the track properly we will race it but whatever place it ends up in won't count. 3. The Racemaster has the final say on a non-authorized car runs.
Can I put store-bought decorations on my car?	Yes	Use your imagination!!!