PACK 3177 - PINEWOOD DERBY RULES & GUIDELINES 

Last Updated: 03/22/2021

1. General Rules
- Parents are asked to adhere to the INTENT of the Pinewood Derby rules when constructing cars. Guardians are
encouraged to work with your Scout during the construction process, allowing the Scout to do as much of the work as safe
and realistically possible based on age and skill level. Let your scout be creative and have fun with the build!
- Each car MUST pass inspection by the official Inspection Committee before it may compete. 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 weigh-in period to
make any necessary adjustments / corrections.
- Cars that do not pass inspection prior to the end of the weigh-in period, or are brought in after the weigh-in period will be
disqualified and WILL NOT be allowed to participate on race day.
- After each car has passed inspection and weigh-in, it will be impounded and placed into storage containers to be kept by
the Race Officials until race day & time. NO EXCEPTIONS. No modification of any kind is permitted after impound. This
includes, but is not limited to adding graphite.
- Scales will be supplied by Pack 3177 at weigh in for weight adjustment if needed and are for reference use only. Only the
scale used by the Inspection Committee at the inspection / impound table will be considered governing and official. All cars
will be weighed in and accepted using the same scale at the same weigh in event. NO EXCEPTIONS.
Note: US Postal Service scales may be used to judge progress toward weight; but are not considered official.
- Repairs: in the event a car’s wheel, or exterior components come off during competition, the race marshals will attempt to
repair the car to the best of their ability so long as it does not impact the length of the race. If the car’s repair requires tools,
or adhesives, the car will be run as is.
- A scout may enter only ONE (1) car for competition.
- Adults, and siblings that compete in the “special” races must pass inspection / meet specifications noted below. Rules for
these races are slightly different than scout rules, and are strictly run for fun. These cars will not have the opportunity to
advance to a district race.

2. Scout and Sibling Pinewood Derby Car Rules and Specifications
The finished Pinewood Derby car will be inspected and accepted to the following criteria. Failure to follow the guidelines below
may result in disqualification or rework.
- The Car Must be built for the current pinewood derby racing season. NO REPAINTS or REPEATS from previous years
Body:
- Width: not to exceed 2 ¾ “
- Length: not to exceed 7 “
- Height: Scout cars, not to exceed 3” Sibling cars, not to exceed 4”
- No part of the car may protrude past the starting pin.
- Weight: 5 ounces maximum. Internal or external weights may be used. All weights added to the cars must be solidly affixed
to the body. No moving or sliding weights are allowed.
PLEASE AVOID USE OF LEAD. Many safer alternatives are available.
Wheels and Axles:
- Wheels MUST be official BSA wheels. Different color BSA wheels are available and are
permissible; however, outside lettering MUST read “BSA Pinewood Derby” and
match the picture to the right.

- The ONLY alteration of the wheels allowed is that burrs can be removed.
- Wheel bearings, washers and bushings are prohibited.
- The car shall not ride on springs.
- New axle slots or holes may be added; there is no minimum distance between axles.
- The car MUST be free-wheeling, with no starting devices.
- Only dry lubricants such as graphite shall be used. No wet lubricants such as oil are permissible.
- Only axles provided with Official BSA kit shall be used.
- Polishing axles and removing burrs is permissible, but no grooves may be added.
Bottom Clearance:
- the official Pack 3177 Pinewood Derby Track has ¼” tall track guides for the wheels, but has no center rail. If car weights are
added to the bottom of a finished car, they should clear the bed of the track lanes by ¼ - 3/8 of an inch. (track configuration
may differ for district race and may have a solid center rail. This is out of pack 3177 control).
Exterior Finish:
- the car may be finished or unfinished in any manor so desired by the Scout. The car may be un-sanded or sanded, painted
or stained, varnished or bare. Cars must be appropriate for Scouting, no vulgar or inappropriate designs, paint or
decorations will be allowed. Racing of an unfinished block is permitted provided the car meets all weight and dimensional
requirements as outlined in this document.

3. Lion LEGO Derby Car Rules and Specifications
The finished LEGO derby car will be inspected and accepted to the following criteria. Failure to follow the guidelines below may
result in disqualification or rework.
- The Car MUST be built for the current LEGO derby racing season. NO REPEATS from previous years
Body:
- Width: not to exceed 2 ¾ “
- Length: not to exceed 7 “
- Height: not to exceed 3 ”
- Base Plate: Use of provided 6 x 16 base plate is optional.
- no part of the car may protrude past the starting pin.
- Weight: 6 ounces maximum. Internal or external weights may be used. All weights added to the cars must be solidly affixed
to the body. No moving or sliding weights are allowed.
PLEASE AVOID USE OF LEAD. Many safer alternatives are available.
Wheels and Axles:
- Wheels MUST be 5 spoke wheels and Derby Magic zinc brick provided with the kit and
match the picture to the right.
- The ONLY alteration of the wheels allowed is that burrs can be removed.
- Wheel bearings, washers and bushings are prohibited
- The car SHALL NOT ride on springs.
- The car MUST be free-wheeling, with no starting devices.
- Wheel Base: Axle placement is completely optional, but finished car must be stable.
- Only dry lubricants such as graphite shall be used. No wet lubricants such as oil are permissible.
- Polishing axles and removing burrs is permissible, but no grooves may be added. (wheels may be removed by removing
axle nut)
Bottom Clearance:
- the official Pack 3177 Pinewood Derby Track has ¼” tall track guides for the wheels, but has no center rail. If car weights are
added to the bottom of a finished car, they should clear the bed of the track lanes by ¼ - 3/8 of an inch.
Exterior Finish:
- Any LEGO type blocks of any brand or size may be used to build car, and may be decorated as the builder wishes so long as
appropriate for Scouting. Bricks may be decorated, painted and or glued if desired.

4. Adult Pinewood Derby Car Rules and Specifications
The finished Pinewood Derby car will be inspected and accepted to the following criteria. Failure to follow the guidelines below
may result in disqualification or rework.
- Finished car MUST be safe to handle, and be safe for nearby spectators. Car may not cause any sort of potential damage to
the track.
Body:
- Width: Must not interfere with the car in the next lane
- Length: not to exceed 7“
- Height: not to exceed 5“
- Weight: PLEASE AVOID USE OF LEAD. Many safer alternatives are available.
Wheels and Axles:
- Wheels, round… or not.
- Axles: must hold the wheels on.
- Only dry lubricants such as graphite shall be used. No wet lubricants such as oil are permissible.
Bottom Clearance:
- the official Pack 3177 Pinewood Derby Track has ¼” tall track guides for the wheels, but has no center rail. If car weights are
added to the bottom of a finished car, they should clear the bed of the track lanes by ¼ - 3/8 of an inch.
Exterior Finish:
- the car may be finished or unfinished in any manor so desired. Cars must be appropriate for Scouting, no vulgar or
inappropriate designs, paint or decorations will be allowed. Racing of an unfinished block is permitted provided the car
meets all weight and dimensional requirements as outlined in this document.