Pack 6 Derby Rules

As with any good competitive event, there are rules in place to ensure a fair, fun, and safe derby. The following rules MUST be followed; if your scouts' car doesn't meet the requirements, it will not be allowed to race. Friday evening before the race, all cars will be checked in, inspected to ensure they meet the rules, and then "impounded" (safely stored) until race time.

Car Dimensions

• 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 5 inches.

• The car must have at least 1 ¾ inches clearance between the insides of the wheels.

• The car must have at least 3/8 clearance underneath the body (to not rub on the track).

• Front of car must extend past front wheels.

• No component of the car shall extend past the starting gate.

• No component of the car shall interfere with any other opponent 

• All four wheels must touch the track simultaneously.

Weight Rules

• The car shall not exceed 5.0 ounces.

• The official race scales used at check in shall be considered final.

Modifications

• The official pine wood block must be used and may be shaped in any way that is desired.

• Official BSA wheels are required. 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/or lubricated.

• No CNC machined wheels will be allowed.

• Wheels may not be narrowed.

• Wheel Bearings, washers, and/or bushings are prohibited.

• The car cannot ride on any type of springs.

• The car must be gravity-powered, with no starting devices, and no propulsion.

• No loose material of any kind, such as lead shot, is allowed.

• No real food is allowed on cars (food tends to melt, fall off, go bad, cause allergies, or a dozen other unforeseeable problems).

Lubrication

• Graphite Lubrication shall be the ONLY permitted lubrication, no oil will be allowed.

• If lubrication is used, cars must be lubricated prior to check in.

• No lubrication is permitted during races/heats, except lubrication may be allowed prior to final round races/heats.

Misc. Race Rules

• Once a car passes inspection and is impounded/entered into the race, only race officials can touch it.

• If the car loses a wheel, or is otherwise damaged, the racer shall have 5 minutes to make repairs as permitted by race officials. The Cub Scout is in charge of performing all repairs, but parent guidance is allowed and encouraged. Each car must pass inspection by race officials before it is allowed to compete again.

• The race officials have the responsibility to disqualify any cars that do not meet rules, to ensure fair play.

• Competitors should follow the intent of the rules. Any questions regarding rules will be handled by the race officials as a committee. Race officials have final determination for interpretation of a rule’s intent.

Each year, Pack 6 offers a fundraising opportunity in the form of an Outlaw race! This is a completely OPTIONAL race, open to EVERYONE... scouts, parents, leaders, or siblings! The Outlaw race has much fewer rules and has a $20 entry fee, but the winner of the outlaw race takes home half of the entry fees! The other half gets donated to the Pack to use for future events.

Rules in Italics are different than the Main Race Rules, to make the Outlaw race more exciting!

Car Dimensions

• 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 5 inches.

• The car must have at least 1 ¾ inches clearance between the insides of the wheels.

• The car must have enough clearance underneath the body (to not rub on the track).

• Front of car must extend past front wheels. 

• No component of the car shall extend past the starting gate.

• No component of the car shall interfere with any other opponent.

• All four wheels do not have to touch the track simultaneously.

Weight Rules

• There are no weight limits.

Modifications

• The official pine wood block must be a part of the car in some way.

• Any wheels and wheel modifications are allowed.

• The axles may be altered, polished, and/or lubricated.

• The car can ride on springs.

• The car must be gravity-powered, with no starting devices, and no propulsion.

• Loose material is allowed.

• No real food is allowed on cars (food tends to melt, fall off, go bad, cause allergies, or a dozen other unforeseeable problems).

Lubrication

• Any form of lubrication is allowed.

• If lubrication is used, cars must be lubricated prior to check in.

• No lubrication is permitted during races/heats, except lubrication may be allowed prior to final round races/heats.

Misc. Race Rules

• Once a car passes inspection and is impounded/entered into the race, only race officials can touch it.

• If the car loses a wheel, or is otherwise damaged, the racer shall have time to make repairs as permitted by race officials. The car owner is in charge of performing all repairs. Each car must pass inspection by race officials before it is allowed to compete again.

• The race officials have the responsibility to disqualify any cars that do not meet rules, to ensure fair play.

• Competitors should follow the intent of the rules. Any questions regarding rules will be handled by the race officials as a committee. Race officials have final determination for interpretation of a rule’s intent.