District Pinewood Derby Rules
Glacier’s Edge Council
Entry Qualifications & Requirements
 Cars must be built using as official BSA car kit.
o Cars may be modified with add-ons if allowed under all other applicable rules below.
 Only one car per Scout may be entered at the District Race.
Car Specifications & Measurements
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Width:
Length:
Weight:
Height:
 Center Rail Clearance:
 Bottom Clearance:
 Wheelbase:
Not exceed 2.75 inches (7 cm)
Not to exceed 7.00 inches (17.8 cm)
Not to exceed 5.00 ounces (142 grams)
Not restricted but must fit under the District’s finish line. (Note: Tracks
will vary from District tract. Guideline height is 2.75 inches (7 cm).
1.75 inches (4.4 cm) minimum between wheels.
A minimum underbody clearance of 0.375 inches (9.5 mm) is
recommended to clear the center guide rails. The Committee is not
responsible for underbody clearance inspection.
The original axle slots do not have to be used. They may be moved to
anywhere on the under-body.
Staging, Wheel, and Race Day Issues
There must be a flat section of car that is at
least 0.5 inches (13 mm) wide on the car’s body
and be at the center and front of the car. The
portion of the car must be in contact with the
starting pin.
Only wheel/axles may be replaced.
Cars must have four wheels. The car should be
built with the intention that all four wheels are
touching the racing surface.
Lubricants, paints, stains, and other finishes
must be completely dry at race time. Additional
graphite will not be allowed once the race car is
turned over to the Committee for inspection.
All add-ons, decorative elements and car parts
must be firmly affixed to the car body. (A wheel
and axle are considered one “part” on a car).
The car must be propelled by gravity alone. No
mechanical or artificial movement is allowed.
No part of the car may extend past the starting
pin, including wheels and add-ons. The 0.5 inch
(13 mm) section of the car must fit up against
and hold the car at the starting pin.
No object may be placed between the axle head
and the wheel or between the wheel and the
car body. Only BSA approved axles may be used
on the car. Axles included with the Scout Shop
car kit are BSA approved axles.
Any element which falls of a car during the race
cannot be replaced.
Dry graphite or powdered Teflon are the most
common lubricants. Once a car is qualified, no
further lubrication may be added to the car.
Staging, Wheel, and Race Day Issues (continued)
Wheels must spin freely. Nothing may alter the
wheel’s normal spin and rotation. No springs,
magnets, mercury, propellants, electronic, or
lighting devices allowed. For example, no
washers, bearings, bushings, or sleeves.
However, axles may be polished in a manner to
remove burrs and decrease friction from the
wheel.
Wheels may be lightly polished or lightly sanded
to remove normal molding imperfections. They
may not be tooled or machined in any manner
which will reduce the mass or weight, the initial
inertia, or the original shape of the wheel.
Period.
The BSA logo must be plainly visible on the
outside of the wheel and there must be
evidence that the car has previously raced and
not altered after the race. Honing or machining
a wheel so it becomes flat, convex or concave,
or minimizes the surface-to-surface traction will
be subject to further review by the Committee.
Inspection, Racing, and Miscellaneous Information
Inspection occurs until about five minutes before race time. Late entrants are disqualified (once tracing
starts or when the final race entries are compiled). Once inspected and qualified, the car may not be
further fine-tuned (lubricated or altered) unless otherwise allowed by the Committee.
The Pinewood Derby Committee has the final review of all race car entries. The District’s scale,
measuring devices, and track may differ from what was used at a Pack-level race. Weight or measuring
issues directly related to a difference between the District’s equipment and a Pack’s equipment may be
reviewed by the Committee on a case-by-case basis. Every attempt will be made to qualify all cars
during the registration process in accordance with the rules. Any issue as indicated above will be
discussed between the Committee and the entrant family in an attempt to resolve any such registration
issues.
The Committee does not provide tools, lubricants, hot glue, or any other materials for car adjustments.
The Committee does not provide advice on how to prepare (or repair) a race car so that it will pass the
District’s inspection. All decisions of the Committee are final with respect to the inspection process.
The final rule is to HAVE FUN and ENJOY your experience. Please be aware of your surroundings when
attending this event. We are guests and must adhere to any established rules. We depend on these
facitilies or businesses for our continued success. Any business or facility where we are a guest deserve
our every coutesy. Follow the Scout Law and Oat at all times!
The Committee’s decision is final with respect to any issues interpreting these rules.