Pinewood Derby Rules

Pick your Pinewood Derby Class

Cub Scout

Standard BSA Pinewood Derby Rules for Cub Scouts, Girls Scouts and other Scout aged kids

Outlaw

Open Class Pinewood Derby Rules for all ages allowing for heavier cars, modified wheels and axels and other advanced techniques or materials

Lego

Lego Class Lego Derby Rules for cars made with Legos (Bases, wheels and Legos available for rent, or supply your own)

Banana

Banana Class Banana Derby Rules specifically for vehicles made from Bananas (see Banana Derby instructions below)

Extreme

Don’t want rules? So long as your car fits on the track (See Open Class Rules) and is not potentially dangerous to spectators or damaging to the track
(2 lb max weight)

BSA Rules

  • The overall length of the car shall not exceed 7 inches.
  • The overall width of the car shall not exceed 2 ¾ inches.
  • The car must have 1 ¾” clearance between the wheels.
  • The car must have 3/8” clearance underneath the body so it does not rub on the track.
  • The car shall not exceed 5.0 ounces.
  • The official race scale that is used at car check-in shall be considered final.
  • The official pine wood block must be used. The block may be shaped in any way that is desired.
  • Official BSA wheels must be used. The wheels may not be cut, drilled, beveled or rounded. You may remove the seams and imperfections from the wheels.
  • The axles may be altered, polished and lubricated

Open Class Rules

  • The length from the nose to the rear wheels shall not exceed 7 inches.
  • The overall width of the car shall not exceed 2 ¾ inches.
  • The car must have 1 ¾” clearance between the wheels.
  • The car must have 3/8” clearance underneath the body so it does not rub on the track.
  • Car cannot be taller than 4.75 inches tall
  • The car shall not exceed 12.0 ounces.
  • The official race scale that is used at car check-in shall be considered final.
  • Any materials may be used so long as they do not constitute a hazard to other cars or other racers.
  • Any wheels can be used so long as they do not cause interference with other cars on the track.
  • No fire, flames, explosives, or anything that would hurt the track surface or anyone else in the room.

*** All cars must be shorter than 4.75 inches in height to pass under the finish line ***
*** Any car weighing more than 12 ounces cannot be more than 2.5 inches tall ***

Lego Derby Rules

  • Start with one base and two sets of wheels.
    • In the event that there are not enough wheel sets, plan to rotate wheels when it is your turn to race.
  • Using Lego bricks, design your Lego derby so that it meets the following size requirements:
    • The overall length of the car shall not exceed 7 inches.
    • The overall width of the car shall not exceed 2 ¾ inches.
    • The overall height of the car shall not exceed 4 ¾ inches.
  • Any Lego pieces placed under the base must not be lower than the wheels such that that finished Lego Derby does not rub on the track.
  • Lego Derbies are likely to come apart upon reaching the foam padding at the finish line.  Please collect pieces and reassemble your car quickly so it is ready for your next heat.
  • Rented Legos are to be fully disassembled after the race and Lego bricks are to be returned to the storage bins.
  • Rented bases and wheels should all be accounted for and returned to the small storage bin after the race.

Banana Class Rules

  • The main body of the car is  a banana that is slightly under ripe (no mushy fruit is allowed on the track).
  • Axels and wheels should be standard Pinewood Derby axels and wheels.
  • A double barrel stir straw should be used to hold the axels and make for a straight alignment. A good straw can be found Here. (This straw has a partition in the middle that makes it perfect for the axels).
  • Wheels and axels can be connected to the the banana with duct tape or any other non-liquid adhesive (no wet glues, silicone, etc).
  • There is no weight limit to the Banana Derby.  However, no additional weights are to be added to the banana.
  • No exposed fruit will be allowed on the track.  Cut or damaged bananas with exposed fruit must be covered in plastic wrap.
  • Bananas may be decorated with stickers, markers and other light weight materials to give the banana a unique look.  Coordinator will approve decorations to be used.
  • Popsicle sticks should be provided and used to give support to the axels, or to provide a flat base to keep the car from high centering.
  • Best option is to create your banana car at the event as part of the overall activity.
  • Click Here for some simple instructions on how to create a Banana Car!

Rules to be used will be decided by and enforced by the race coordinator.  I will try to help with rulings if needed or desired, but the final ruling goes to the coordinator.

Where To Buy Kits?

There are several places online where you can order kits both individually as well as in bulk.  The Ogden Scout Shop (1200 E 5400 S) or the Utah Valley Scout Shop in Orem (1351 W 800 N) are great places to shop locally for your Pinewood Derby needs.

If you’re thinking of doing a Lego Derby, check out Derby Magic’s “MiniBrick” page for Lego supplies.  If you’re interested in doing a Banana Derby, check out Maximum Velocity where you can anything from single kits to bulk sets of just Wheels and Axles.  ***Be sure to buy the pointed axles as the blunt end axles don’t stay in as well.