OFFICIAL PINEWOOD DERBY RULES

• Ground Rules and Competition
• Length, Width and Clearance
• Weight and Appearance
• Body, Wheels and Axles
• Lubrication
• Inspection and Registration

Ground Rules and Competition

• Each car will participate in an equal number of several races (based upon number of entries). There are 6 cars in each race. During each race the participants are assigned a point value equal to the place in which they finish. 1st is worth 1 point, 2nd is worth 2 etc... After 6 races. The cars with the least amount of points will advance to semi-final and final races. The number of semi-final and final race heats are determined by organizers based upon the number of entries.

 

•  Unsportsmanlike conduct by any participant or spectator will be grounds for expulsion from the competition and/or the race area.

 

• Each participant may enter only one car in the competition. Several cars may be constructed but only one may be registered and raced.

 

• The car must have been built during the current year (the school year in which the Derby is held). Cars that have competed in a previous Derby are not permitted.

 

• If a car jumps the track, the race will be run again. If the same car jumps the track a second time, that car will automatically lose that race.

 

•  If a car leaves its lane and interferes with another car, the race will be run again. If the same car leaves its lane a second time and interferes with another car, the the interfering car will automatically lose that race.

 

• If a car becomes damaged and can be repaired in a reasonable amount of time (a few minutes), the race will be run again. If not, the damaged car will automatically lose that race.

Length, Width and Clearance

• The maximum overall width (including wheels and axles) shall not exceed 2-3/4 inches.

• The minimum width between the wheels shall be 1-3/4 inches so the car will clear the center guide strip on the track.

• The minimum clearance between the bottom of the car and the track surface shall be 3/8 inch so the car will clear the center guide strip on the track.

• The maximum overall length shall not exceed 7 inches.

• The wheel-base (distance between the front and rear axles) may not be changed from the kit body distance of 4-1/4 inches.

Weight and Appearance

• Weight shall not exceed 5 ounces. The reading of the official scale will be considered final. The car may be hollowed out and built up to the maximum weight by the addition of wood or metal only, provided the material is securely built into the body or firmly affixed to it. No liquids or loose materials of any kind are permitted 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 or weight specifications.

• Cars with wet paint will not be accepted.

Body, Wheels and Axles

• Axles and wheels shall be only as provided in the Pinewood Derby Kit.

• You MUST use the block of wood, wheels and axles provided. Purchasing pre-made bodies is NOT ALLOWED.

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

• Axles may not be altered in any way except for polishing.

• Wheel bearings, washers, bushings, and hub caps are prohibited.

• The car shall not ride on any type of springs.

• The car must be free-wheeling, with no starting device or other type of propulsion.

Lubrication

• Only graphite or powdered Teflon "white lube" will be allowed for lubricating the wheels.

 

• Lubrication is messy! On race day all lubrication must be done at the "lube" station.

Inspection, Registration and Other rules

• Each car must pass a technical inspection before it may compete.  The details of the technical inspection and weigh in will be provided in the event details.

 

•  The Inspection Committee shall disqualify cars which do not meet these rules. If a car does not pass inspection, the owner will be informed of the reason his car did not pass (too long, too heavy, altered wheel base, or the like).

 

• Cars which fail the initial inspection may be modified for final inspection and registration.

 

• To enter the race, cars must have passed inspection and be registered by the Final Inspection.

 

• No cars may be altered in any way after it has been registered. Damage repair shall be allowed during the Derby only if it does not delay the race, but no modifications shall be allowed.

 

• After passing inspection, no car shall be re-inspected unless repaired after damage in handling or in a race.