These are the rules we used for our Cub Scout Pack Pinewood Derby race.

All Cars MUST PASS INSPECTION to qualify for the race

General Rules

1. Pinewood Derby Car Kits are provided by the pack at the January Pack meeting.
   
2. Scouts should not begin making cars before the kits are generally available at the January meeting.
   
3. Race day is not to be earlier than the February Pack meeting and no later then March 1st. 
4. Each car must pass inspection by the official inspection committee before it will be allowed to compete. The Inspection Committee has the responsibility to disqualify those cars that do not meet these specifications.

Following are the inspection points

1. The car weight shall not exceed 5.0 ounces. The official race scale shall be considered final.
2. The overall length of the car shall not exceed 7 inches.
3. The overall width of the car shall not exceed 2 ¾ inches.
4. The car must have 1 ¾” clearance between the wheels.
5. The car must have 3/8” clearance underneath the body.
6. The wood provided in the kit must be used. The block may be shaped any way that is desired.
7. The wheels supplied with the kit must be used. The wheels may not be cut, drilled, beveled or rounded. You may remove the seam from the wheels.
8. The axles supplied with the kit must be used. They may be polished or lubricated.
9. Wheel bearings, washers or bushings are prohibited.
10. The car must not ride on any type of springs.
11. The car must be freewheeling, with no starting devices.
12. No loose material of any kind, such as lead shot, may be used.
13. The car body may have no moving parts.
14. Only dry lubricants such as graphite or powdered teflon "white lube" will be allowed for lubricating the wheels. Lubricants may not foul the track.
15. Details such as the steering wheel, driver, decals, painting, and interior detail are permissible as long as these details do not exceed the maximum length, width, and weight specifications.

Additional Race Day Rules

1. Only one lubrication is allowed before the beginning of the first race and then once again before the beginning of the first race of the semi-finals and finals.
2. If a car leaves its lane, at his sole discretion, the track chairman may inspect the track and, if a track fault is found which probably caused the initial violation, the track chairman may order the race to be rerun after the track is repaired.
3. If, during a race, a car leaves the track without interfering with its opponent, it shall receive a maximum time, for example 9 seconds.
4. If, during a race, no car reaches the finish line on the track, all cars will receive the maximum time.
5. If, during a race, a car leaves its lane and, in so doing, interferes with another racer, then the car at fault shall be declared to have lost the race heat, receiving the maximum time. The that was interfered with receives a time no faster then the heat winner or no slower than the slowest completed time .

Siblings and Guests

1. We allow siblings and guest to race along with our scouts. Siblings and guests are not eligible for trophy awards, but may receive an "Honorable Mention" or similar certificate.
2. Siblings should be involved in the making of their PWD car. Involvement is to the discretion of the parent.
3. Guests are defined as invited boys in the 1st through 5th grade and are accompanied by their parents or are in the charge of the invitees' parents.
4. Guests may use "loaner" cars that are supplied by the invitee or other scouts. 

More information about running a pinewood derby race can be found here.