The Pinewood Derby race is typically scheduled in January of each year.  Car kits are handed out in November/December.

These are the rules included with the kit.
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A CUB SCOUT/PARENT PROJECT
KIT NO. 17006 OFFICIAL GRAND PRIX PINEWOOD DERBY KIT Please read these Rules and Instructions before building your car.

The Pinewood Derby is open to all Cub Scouts. Cars should be built by the Cub Scouts with some adult guidance. Any technical assistance should be fully explained to the Cub Scout so that he can use that knowledge on future projects. Because it is difficult to establish how much help was given in building the car, some Packs have a separate Pinewood Derby Race for adults.

IMPORTANT: The Race Committee should decide on rules and race procedures, then have them printed and distributed to all participants at least two weeks before the race.

CAR SPECIFICATIONS:

• Width: - 2-3/4" - Length - 7" - Weight - Not over 5 Ounces
• Width between wheels - 1-3/4"
• Bottom clearance between can and track - 3/8"

RULES
Wheel bearings, washers, and bushings are prohibited. The car shall not ride on springs. Only official Cub Scout Grand Prix Pinewood Derby wheels and axles are permitted. Only dry lubricant is permitted. Details, such as steering wheel and driver are permissible as long as these details do not exceed the maximum length, width and weight specifications. The car must be free-wheeling, with no starting devices. Each car must pass inspection by the official inspection committee before it may compete. If, at registration., 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 time period to make the adjustment. After final approval, cars will not be re-inspected unless the car is damaged in handling or in a race.

BUILDING INSTRUCTIONS
Check the grooves to ensure that each is at a perfect 90-dearee angle to the car body. A car with untrue axles tends to steer to one side or the other, causing it to rub up against the side of the lane strip, slowing it down. You can check the groove angles by using a square, a protractor, or even a piece of paper.

Lay square on block to check for squareness and alignment of slot.

Use two hacksaw blades side by side to redress the slots. Use the edge of the square as a guide.

NOTE: If the car design you chose has a narrow body, make sure the area where the axles are inserted into the body remains 1-3/4" wide, or wheels will not fit over the guide strips of the track.

PAINTING AND WHEEL ASSEMBLY Apply several coats of sanding sealer; then sand entire car with a fine-grade sandpaper. Give model at least two coats of fast drying paint, in your choice of color. When paint is completely dry sand with a fine sandpaper, apply a final coat of paint and allow to dry thoroughly. TO FINISH, rub entire car with a rubbing compound. Details such as windshield, driver, racing numbers, etc., should be added now. For a super finish apply a coat of auto wax and rub to a high gloss. Pre-lubricate axles and wheels using, dry powdered lubricant. Do not use regular oil or silicone spray, since it may soften the plastic. Slide wheels over axles, then gently tap them into the car body grooves with a 1/4" dowel or similar object to within 1/32" of car body. (See Figure 4). Make sure wheels turn freely.
Due to many requests we have eliminated the cockpit section in the Pinewood Derby block to allow for more designs.

Copyright ©, 1997, Boy Scouts of America, All Rights Reserved

Official Pack Rules attached

Synopsis

• Use the parts provided:
  • Use only the wheels provided, no third party wheels.
  • Use the axels provided, no third party axels (especially no solid axels).
  • Use the block of wood provided (including the grooves for the axels).  No extending of the wheel base.
• Use the building of the car as a bonding experience with your boy.  And help him learn some woodcrafting skills.
• Have FUN!
• Last, there is a Pack event where we race the cars.

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Guidelines for race day.

The Pack has a 4 lane track with an electronic end gate that records place and time which is fed back to a computer running the race management software.  Race heats are typically by Den but with the software the entire Pack is run at the same time.  Each car races in each lane of the track (once or twice depending on overall length of event).  To determine places the slowest time for each car is dropped and the remaining times are then summed.  Awards are given out for the top 3 by Den and Pack.  Most years certificates are also awarded for car design.

Check In / Inspection

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A great movie about some competitive dads and the true spirit of the PWD.

Down and Derby (IMDB)

Down and Derby (Amazon)

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* add links to other derby related cartoons

There is no one tried and true method to making a fast car but here are some tips to help guide you:

• Have fun building the car with your son.  Make is a teaching moment for your son on woodworking skills.
• The car should be as close to the weight limit of 5.0 ounces as possible.  The car with wheels attached out of the box weighs around 3 ounces.  At this weight the car will have trouble making the finish line.
  • Add weight inside the car body.  If unable to put the weight inside the car body then attach the weight to the back or top of the car body.  Weights on the bottom (depending on how the wheels are attached) can catch on the track and cause the car to go slow.  Lane #1 on our track is notorious for this.  The pack does check for clearance at check in but lane 1 can still catch some cars.
• The wheels.  Polishing the axles, removing burrs from the wheels and axles are important.  But more important is to ensure that the wheels are straight, level, and lubricated. 
  
  • The wheels should be set with minimal "wiggle room" against the body of the car. 
  • The wheels should all touch the ground.  An unbalanced car jumps around on the track and goes slower.
  • The wheels should be straight.  Push the car on a level surface and it should travel straight.  If it tacks to one side or the other it will hit the center guide on the track, travel farther to get down the track, and go slower.
  • The wheels/axles should be lubricated.  Use graphite not powdered teflon (white).  The powered teflon is sold for the same purpose but does not work as well.  After lubrication each wheel should spin for 30+ seconds with minimal effort applied.
• Body type doesn't really matter.  We have seen over the years blocks of wood (some put together in minutes) race just as well as the finely crafted cars.  It is all in maximizing the weight/location and the wheels/axles.
• Have fun on race day.  The event is not about winning or losing on race day but about the experience of building something with your son.