Start your engines, Pack 157!

The Pinewood Derby is one of our biggest events of the year.  Scouts design, cut,  build, and race their own wooden race cars. These cars can be as elaborate and creative as you want them to be, but there are some mandatory rules that must be followed. 

In order to provide a fair, safe, and fun Pinewood Derby the following rules must be observed. Breaking the rules will result in immediate disqualification.

Build Rules

•  Width shall not exceed 2-3/4 inches.

•  Length shall not exceed 7 inches.

•  Weight shall not exceed 5 ounces.

•  Axles, wheels, and, the body shall be from the materials provided in the kit.

•  Wheel bearings, washers, and bushings are prohibited.

• No lubricating oil may be used. Axles may be lubricated with powdered graphite.

•  The car shall not ride on any kind of spring.

•  The car must be free-wheeling, with no starting devices.

•  No loose materials of any kind are allowed in or on the car.

•  All four wheels must touch the track.

•  Axels must be the distance apart that comes with the kit and may not be altered.

• Wheels may only be lightly sanded to smooth out molding imperfections in the tread area. Beveling, tapering, thin sanding, wafering, or lathe turning of the wheels is prohibited.

Event Rules

• Car must be checked-in during the registration period. Any cars that miss the registration cannot race competitively.

• Once a car is registered and passes inspection, it will remain in the pit/racing area for the full event length and can only be handled by an official for the rest of the event.

• Cars cannot be modified, adjusted, enhanced, or lubricated once they are checked in.

• In the event of a catastrophic failure in the car (wheel brakes etc.) ten minutes will be provided to fix the essential part that has failed in a marked-off area with tools/parts provided. No other changes can be made.

• At the time of the race, only officials will carry the car to/from/between races. Only the officials and the racing scouts will be allowed in the racing area.

• There will be no test runs on the event day. A scale will be available for anyone that would like to pre-weigh their car.

Scroll through for examples of previous Pack 157 Derby Cars