NETOP District & Pack 6 Pinewood Derby Rules



These are the official rules used by the NETOP District (of which we are a part) and, thus, are the rules which govern our Pinewood Derby races. These rules are extensions of the official BSA Rules and were deemed appropriate to minimize any special design advantages.

  1. The car overall width must not exceed 2 3/4 inches and overall length not exceed 7 inches.
  2. The width between wheels is 1 3/4 inches and the bottom clearance between the car and the lane guide strip on the track must be 3/8 inches.
  3. The car weight shall not exceed 5 ounces. No loose materials of any kind are permitted in the car. The car may be hollowed out and built up to the maximum weight by the addition of wood or metal, provided it is securely built into the body.
  4. Wheel bearing, washers, and bushings are prohibited.
  5. The car shall not ride on any type of springs.
  6. Details such as steering wheel, driver, decals, painting, and interior detail are permissible as long as they are within the length, width, and weight specifications.
  7. The car must be freewheeling with no starting devices.
  8. The wheelbase (distance from the center of the front wheel/axle to the center of the rear wheel/axle on the same side of the car) shall not exceed 4 1/2 inches. Allowances will be made for differences in the current model year Official BSA Pinewood Derby Kit.
  9. Axle shafts must be from the BSA Pinewood Derby Kit and must not have any material added or removed from them.
  10. Wheels must be from the BSA Pinewood Derby Kit and can have the core of the hub (hole in the center) cleaned of any obstructions and the contact surface (around the circumference) smoothed but cannot have the cross section reshaped in any way.
  11. The forward-most edge of the car must be a minimum of 1 inch wide in order to rest against the rear of the starting gate pin (in the center of its lane) or it will be disqualified from racing. No pointed front ends.
  12. The Pinewood Derby is a competition for cars having no more or no less than 4 wheels functioning in such a manner that the lane guide strip is maintained in a position under the car body and between each side pair of such wheels.
  13. The width of the car body shall not exceed the width of the Official BSA Pinewood wood block except for the addition of Official BSA Pinewood Derby Accessories.
  14. Older style Official BSA Pinewood Derby cars built from multiple wood block kits as issues prior to 1977 will not be allowed to race.
  15. Only dry lubricant is permitted and all types of liquid lubricants are prohibited.
  16. The objective of the Pinewood Derby is to allow a Cub Scout advised and assisted by an adult to design and build a wood car from the Official BSA Pinewood Derby Kit. The Pinewood Derby is not intended to be a contest of expensive and exotically built cars using special fabricated components of metal, plastic, or wood, which is not available as an Official BSA Pinewood Derby accessory. These cars are subject to disqualification.
  17. Each car must pass inspection by NETOP District Pinewood Derby Committee (in the case of Pack 6, by the official Pack 6 Car Inspector as appointed by the Cubmaster) before it will be allowed to race. The scale used on the race day is the only official scale. If a car does not pass inspection, the owner will be informed of the reason for failure and will be given time within the official check-in time period to make any adjustments. A car not able to meet specifications will be disqualified.
  18. All rules interpretations and judgements related to, are the sole perogative of the NETOP District Pinewood Derby Committee (in the case of Pack 6, the official Pack 6 Car Inspector) and shall be final.


Race Day Car Owners Instructions


  1. All lubrication or other service must be completed prior to presenting the car for technical inspection because all cars will be immediately impounded for the duration of its eligibility to race.
  2. If a registered owner is unable to attend the District (or Pack) Pinewood Derby or is not physically able to race his car, he may designate another Cub Scout to act in his place. This person will be called a handler.
  3. car owners or handlers must present their car for check-in and technical inspection during the announced time on race day or risk being shut out. The NETOP District Pinewood Derby Committee recommends that car owners should be given the responsibility to hold their own cars from after the Pack Pinewood Derby until presentation at the District Race.
  4. Cars must be capable fo accepting and retaining its assigned car numbered decal on top front half of car length in order to race. All other numbers must be removed.
  5. Car owner or handler must retain his issued Pit Pass numbered decal, in readable condition, on the upper front of the Cub Scout Uniform Shirt (Pack 6 may not follow this rule for its races).
  6. Car owners and handlers must stay alert for the call of their number during the race.
  7. Any car owner or handler touching a car other than his own will be automatically disqualified.
  8. Any car owner or handler bumping or stepping on or across the Pinewood track as well as anyone causing such action will be subject to disqualification.
  9. Any person displaying poor behavior can be asked to leave the premises.
  10. All Cub Scout Adult Leaders as well as car owners and their parents who participate in the District Derby Race (and Pack 6 race) must be made aware of these rules.

These rules are based upon the original set used by the late Jack Cronin of Pack 76 Providence who Chaired District Pinewood Derby Races for 25 years.

Version updated 1/16/08