Thank you. here are the rules.
OFFICIAL PINEWOOD DERBY RULES
1. Car Design and Awards:
There will be awards for the appearance of the car and all cars that enter will receive an award. Anyone who finishes a car is a winner, be it Best Design, Best Carving, Best Workmanship, etc. Scouts may add details for appearance that do not meet the race rules if these details can be removed before registration.
2. Construction: PLEASE READ CAREFULLY CONSTRUCTION RULES WILL BE ENFORCED
The BSA kit provided must be used - no exceptions. This includes body, wheels, and axles.
a. Maximum overall width (including wheels and axles) shall not exceed 2 3/4 inches.
b. Minimum width between wheels shall be 1 3/4 inches so car will clear the center guide strip.
c. Minimum clearance between bottom of car and track shall be 3/8 inches so the car will clear the center strip.
d. Maximum length shall not exceed 7 inches.
e. The wheelbase distance must be 4 3/8 inches. The car must use the axle grooves provided in the car kit.
f. The maximum height of the car cannot exceed 4 inches.
3. Maximum total car weight may not exceed 5.0 oz. The readings of the official scale will be considered final. Any cooking or postal scale will likely be precise enough. It is better to be a little underweight than overweight since weight is more easily added rather than removed during pre-race registration.
4. Scout participation: Parents may provide guidance, construction and safety tips, or demonstrate steps in
construction, but should keep in mind that the Derby is a race matching the abilities of 7 to 10-year-old boys. Safety considerations must be observed at all times and no Scout should be asked to do more than is deemed reasonable or safe. The Scout should do as much of the construction as age and skill will allow since this is their car and they should feel pride of accomplishment! Working on the car together should be more important than winning or losing a race. If you update an old car then you should add new paint, decals, decorations, etc. so that you spend some time together on the project. All cars will need to pass this year's inspection by the judges at the time of the race.
5. Wheels: Only BSA wheels may be used. Wheels may be lightly sanded to remove burrs but cannot be shaped and the tread cannot be minimized to alter the tread-surface contact. No "H" or "V" shaped wheels. You cannot undercut the wheel or shape the tread to minimize surface contact. Do not round or alter the wheel surface where it contacts the car. Wheels judged to be in violation of these rules will have to be replaced before a car can race.
6. Axles: Polishing to remove small burrs is allowed. No other changes to the axles will be allowed. No shaping of axles. Axles judged to be in violation will be changed with new axles before a car can race. The axles must be driven into the wooden body's pre-cut axle grooves. The grooves in the body must be used for the axles. Axle holes cannot be drilled into the car. The points on the nails must be visible during inspection. You must use the nails from the BSA kit. Please do not use "speed axles". You will be required to change your axles if you use non-BSA axles.
7. Shape: The front of the car cannot have slots to improve starting position. The front tip of the car must touch the starting pin. No concave car fronts since the starting pin must rest against the leading edge of the car.
8. No loose material is allowed in or on the car. Details such as steering wheel, driver, spoiler, decals, painting and interior details are permissible as long as these details do not exceed the maximum length, width, and weight specifications.
9. No special bearings, washers, bushings, springs or hubcaps are allowed.
10. Stationary weights may be embedded inside the car body. Weights may be on the bottom of the car, but they should not protrude from the bottom since they may interfere with the ability of the car to go down the track if they do not clear the center guide strip on the track. Mercury may not be used in the car as it is a potential health hazard.
11. The car must be freewheeling with no starting devices or other propulsion system.
12. Lubrication: Only dry powdered lubricants may be used. Once the car is weighed no further lubrication or other modification will be allowed.
General:
13. The race is open to all Pack Scout Members
14. If a car jumps the track or leaves its lane and interferes with another car the heat will be repeated, but if it does this a second time, it will lose the heat. If a car suffers a mechanical problem, loses an axle, breaks a wheel, etc and a repair can be made in a reasonable time the heat will be run again. If not, the car will lose the heat. Only race officials can be in the track and race area.
15. Each car must register and pass inspection to race. The inspection team has the right to disqualify those cars which do not meet the rules. Car owners will be notified and can alter their car to meet the rules, if time permits. Once a car has been registered and weighed, it cannot be altered unless it breaks and needs repair (if time permits) and then it must be re-inspected. Registered cars may be sequestered by the race committee.
16. The race should be fun! Unsportsmanlike conduct can lead to disqualification.
17. If you have questions please call your den leader.
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