Awards

Rules - Important!

The rules for our Pack 325 race are built on the Pioneer District rules to ensure the winners from our Pack are ready to qualify for District races that follow.

Intent - Scouts race, not parents

The purpose of this event is for the scout to build and race a wooden car. The scout should do as much of the work as is appropriate for his age. It is expected that a Tiger Cub will have quite a bit of help, but a Webelos II should be doing almost all of the work himself. Buying pre-made parts is NOT the goal of this event! Each scout is expected to build a new car each year – no racing last year’s car!

The Car Body

You must start with the wood block provided in the kit and, as a minimum, the axle slots and some amount of continuous wood between the slots must remain from the original block. The axels must be inserted in the pre-cut grooves that are already cut in the car body. The wheel base (distance between the axles) must not be changed. You may add weights and other decorations if you wish. Decorative parts may be from any source or material. For example you can add additional wood, or other materials to the original block to achieve the shape you want, within the overall size limitations (see below).

Wheels

All cars must have four (4) wheels. You must use official BSA wheels. The shape and form of the wheels cannot be modified or reshaped, however wheels may be cleaned up to remove molding burrs. Only a minimal amount of material may be removed. The embossed “tread” marks on the outer rim must still be visible. You may not remove material from the inside of the wheel. The molded lettering on the inside and outside of the wheel must be intact and visible to the judges. The wheels may be polished if desired. All four wheels MUST be in contact with a flat surface when the car is placed on it. (Roll the car on a flat surface and all 4 wheels MUST turn). 

Note: BSA official wheels are now available in several colors and even glow-in-the-dark!

Axels

The official kit provides nails for the axles, and you must use the official BSA axles. Wheel bearings, washers, bushings, axle sleeves, and wheel covers are prohibited. The axles may be smoothed and polished if desired. The axles may be glued to hold them in place in the slots. The angle of the axles can be adjusted, as long as all four of the wheels contact the surface as mentioned in the wheel rule above. Do not buy axels from any other source, they are not allowed.

Physical Dimensions

Overall maximum dimensions:
3" wide by 7" long by 3" high.
If the official kit contains a block longer than 7" they must be trimmed. Note that these rules allow a 3" width vs. the 2-3/4" width specified in the kit instructions. The width between the wheels must be greater than 1-3/4", inside measurement. No part of the car can extend forward of the starting post. Your car dimensions will be measured at our weigh-in/registration event.

Track Clearance

Track clearance is specified at 3/8" to clear the lane strips that are 1/4" high. Your car must clear the lane strips. Beware of adding weights to the bottom of the car which don’t clear. Your car's bottom clearance will be measured at our weigh-in/registration event, and often prevents cars from qualifying.

Weight 

The car weight shall not exceed 5.000 ounces (141.75 grams). No loose material of any kind is permitted in or on the car. The car may be hollowed out and built up to the maximum weight by the addition of solid materials such as wood or metal provided it is securely attached or built into the body chassis and fit the dimension and clearance rules. The weight must not be taped on. No liquid weights are permitted inside or attached to the outside of the car body. No weights may be added after the car has been checked in. Lead weights should be avoided due to the toxicity of lead. Pre-made metal weights, or steel, brass, or tungsten should be used instead. If lead is used it must be under the surface, sealed from touch with paint or glue. All other types of weights can be exposed.

Note that many low-cost scales and most post office scales are not very accurate and your car may be overweight if you rely on them. At the district race, an official BSA 5oz. weight is used as the reference, and all cars must not weigh more than it does. Our pack has an official 5oz. weight we use as the reference for our electronic scales. We cannot guarantee it matches the district weight exactly, but our goal is to be as close as we can so that our pack winners are ready for the district race.

Springs

The car shall not run on any type of springs. The car must be freewheeling with no starting devices.

Lubrication

The wheels and axles may be lubricated with a dry lubricant such as graphite. The district allows liquid lubricants but we will not. Any car that is dripping excessive amounts of graphite will not pass inspection and will be asked to clean up their car during check-in. No additional lubricant may be added after car check-in. 

Exceptions

These rules don't apply to siblings or family cars, which are not in competition.

Parents and siblings can join the fun with our Family Races. These are held between the scout races, as time allows. Siblings and parents can run their cars (no weigh-in or registration required) for fun, without the full rulebook scouts have to follow. Dig out your own childhood derby cars or make a new one along with your scout. Car kits and accessories are available at the Scout Shop or ScoutStuff.org.