Pack 15 Pinewood Derby Rules

Pack 15 LMES abides by all officially published Pinewood Derby race rules from the CT Rivers Council - Western District level race. This ensures that winning cars from our Pack Derby will by extension be in compliance with District-level rules, and therefore eligible to participate in the District race event. Any discrepancies in the Pack ruleset to the Western District ruleset will only ever be more restrictive, not less. For a comprehensive list of the current year's Pinewood Derby rules, please reach out to the Pack Pinewood Derby Coordinator.

Siblings under the age of 18 of Cub Scouts who are not registered members of Pack 15 (whether older OR younger) may enter their own Pinewood Derby car (purchased separately) in their own special Siblings class. While these cars have a less stringent set of rules, there are still some restrictions for the purposes of safety of scouts and the cars themselves, due to track limitations. While sibling class cars cannot place and earn awards from the Pack rankings, we will allow them to race, be a part of the fun, and recognize the winners of the Sibling class separately. 1. MaterialsThe block of wood, the wheels, and axles supplied in the Official Grand Prix Pinewood Derby Kit must be used. The car must be new each year. 2. DimensionsThe car width shall not exceed 2 ¾ inches including the wheelsThe car length shall not exceed 7 inches (the original length of the block of wood)The car height shall not exceed 3 inches 3. Nose DesignNose design may not be smaller than ½ inch centered. 4. WeightThe weight of the car shall not exceed 5.0 ounces (141.75 grams). Movable weights are prohibited. 5. WheelbaseThe wheelbase (distance between the axles) is 4 & 3/8 inches on-center from axle-to-axle. The wheelbase may not be stretched or shortened. There are slots provided for axles in the original block of wood. New slots may be cut to ensure that axles are square to the body but must be 4 & 3/8 inches on-center axle-to-axle and no less than 1 inch from the back of the car.New holes may be drilled through the sides of the block to ensure that axles are square to the body but must be 4 & 3/8 inches on-center axle-to-axle and additional inspection holes must be drilled in the bottom of the car so that the "point" of the axle may be visible for inspection. 6. WheelsOnly the black wheels that come in the Official Grand Prix Pinewood Derby Kit are allowed and the BSA lettering on the sidewall of the wheel must be visible. Wheels may be sanded FLAT as to be made as smooth as possible.The tread or contact width between the wheel and the track shall remain flat and at the original width of the wheel provided in the Official Grand Prix Pinewood Derby Kit. Rounded treads or "V" treads will not be permitted. No shaping of inner or outer hubs is permitted.No washers, bushings, springs or ball bearings will be permitted on the wheels. All four (4) wheels must make full contact on the track at the same time. Only two of four wheels may have the same number. No matched wheel sets are allowed. 7. AxlesOnly the Axles that come in the Grand Prix Pinewood Derby Kit are allowed. Axles may be deburred and polished. Axle shanks may not be grooved or thinned. Axle heads may not be angled. 8. LubricationCars may be lubricated prior to registration with powdered graphite only.No liquids, oils, sprays, greases, or silicones etc. are to be used as lubrication on axles, wheels, or any part of the car. These types of materials will ruin the track and are not permitted in any Pinewood races including the Mad River District Finals. 9. AttachmentsCreativity is encouraged but parts detaching from cars mid-heat can affect the race in a negative way hence all attachments to the car must be firmly and permanently affixed. Inspectors will touch and grasp to see if any such parts are sufficiently attached. Body kits may be used but check your final dimensions (Length, Width, and Height) to make sure that the finished product conforms. 10. Passing InspectionAll cars must meet all specifications to achieve a "Pass" status.Inspectors have the right to fail any car that does not meet all specifications.You'll be given plenty of time to work on your car to correct anything that may have caused it to fail inspection. 11. SequesteringOnce a car has passed inspection, the car and owner are registered into the Grand Prix Software. A registration card is provided and must be filled out. Please make sure the information is accurate. All owners will be able to name their cars and a picture is taken which is shown during the heat on race day. The car is then placed in custody of the LMES Pack 15 Pinewood Derby Officials and sequestered until race day.

Rules for our Outlaw Class are less stringent, as this class of car is intended for Parents, family members, or sponsors to submit a "perfect storm" entry, if they wish. There are, however, still some restrictions primarily due to track limitations and safety of the scouts and cars themselves. OC1. DimensionsThe car width shall not exceed 2 ¾ inches including the wheelsThe car length shall not exceed 7 inches (the original length of the block of wood)The car height shall not exceed 3 inchesCars from previous years are allowed in the LMES Pack 15 modified Outlaw Class OC2. PropulsionThe car may not be self-propelled in any way with the use of rubber bands, engines, batteries, movable weights, or gears etc. OC3. Nose DesignNose design may not be smaller than ½ inch centered.OC4. WeightThe weight of the car shall not exceed 5.0 ounces (141.75 grams). OC5. LubricationCars may be lubricated prior to registration with powdered graphite only.No liquids, oils, sprays, greases, or silicones etc. are to be used as lubrication on axles, wheels, or any part of the car. These types of materials will ruin the track and are not permitted in any Pinewood Races. OC6. AttachmentsCreativity is encouraged but parts detaching from cars mid-heat can affect the race in a negative way hence all attachments to the car must be firmly and permanently affixed. Inspectors will touch and grasp to see if any such parts are sufficiently attached. Body kits may be used but check your final dimensions (Length, Width, and Height) to make sure that the finished product conforms. OC7. Passing InspectionAll cars must meet all specifications to achieve a "Pass" status.Inspectors have the right to fail any car that does not meet all specifications.You'll be given plenty of time to work on your car to correct anything that may have caused it to fail inspection. OC8. SequesteringOnce a car has passed inspection, the car and owner are registered into the Grand Prix Software. A registration card is provided and must be filled out. Please make sure the information is accurate. All owners will be able to name their cars and a picture is taken which is shown during the heat on race day. The car is then placed in custody of the LMES Pack 15 Pinewood Derby Officials and sequestered until race day.