Each spring Pack 174 runs a Pinewood Derby. Every scout is encouraged to design, build, decorate, and race a car. Parents and siblings are welcome to participate in a separate open class to add more fun on our derby day.

Rules for Pinewood Derby cars

The evening before the Derby, racers must bring their car to be “checked in”. During check-in, judges will inspect each car for compliance to the following rules.

1. New car, built by the racer: To participate in the Scout Class events, the car must have been built by the scout (with only limited adult assistance) starting no earlier than September 1 of the school year of the race.
2. Kit: Car wheels, axles, and body blank must be taken from the official BSA Pinewood Derby Kit (#17006).
3. Dimensions and Shape:
   1. Width: Car width shall not exceed 2 ¾”.
   2. Length: Car length shall not exceed 7”.
   3. Height: Car height shall not exceed 4”.
   4. Weight: Car weight shall not exceed 5.00 oz (~141.75 grams)
   5. Front-end Shape: The car’s front end shall be shaped to avoid “head starts”. When viewed from above, the car must have a single flat nose that is both centered across the car’s centerline and at least ¼” wide. When viewed from the side, the car’s farthest forward point must be between ⅜” and 1½” high. These rules ensure good contact with the starting pin on the track.
   6. Ground Clearance: To avoid getting stuck on the track, the car body should have a ground clearance of at least ⅜”.
   7. Track Width: To avoid getting stuck on the track, the car body should be at least 1 ¾” wide at both the front and rear axle slots.
4. Car Body Design: Design elements such as fenders, steering wheels, drivers, decals, and paint are permissible where those elements are securely fastened to the car body and no other rules are violated.
5. Axles
   1. Positioning: Axle spacing is determined by the preset grooves in the wooden car body blank provided in the kit.
   2. Polishing and Lubrication: Axles may be polished but shall not be machined, shaped, plated, or specially lubricated. Only dry graphite lubricant or Grand Prix Pinewood Derby Wheel and Axle Lubricant (part no. 17240) may be used as a lubricant.
6. Wheels
   1. Positioning: Wheel camber shall be adjusted so that at least 3 wheels touch the track. All 4 wheels must be installed.
   2. Polishing, shaping, and machining: Wheel bores and treads may be deburred and lightly polished. No other machining or shaping of wheels is permitted.
7.  Bearings, Bushings, Suspension, Springs: The car shall not include any bearings, bushings, suspension, springs or similar mechanical elements intended to improve the car’s racing performance.

During check-in, if the judges determine that a car violates one of these rules, the racer may attempt to correct the violation. If a violation can’t be corrected before the end of check-in time, the car will be disqualified from the Scout Class. Judges may permit disqualified cars to participate in the Open Class Races.

These rules are aligned with the Wapiti District rules. The three fastest cars from each of our Dens are allowed to race in the Wapiti District Pinewood Derby later in the spring.