RACE INFORMATION – The race will be held at John A. Logan Community College in Carterville, Illinois.  Be sure to arrive no later than 1:00 pm so that you can check your car in as the race will start promptly at 1:30 pm. Registration will open at 12:00 pm. Please be sure to read these rules, cars that are not in compliance will not be allowed to race. 

CARS – Scouts must use the official BSA pinewood derby kit. No precut hobby shop cars or “Kit” cars will be allowed. Cars are to be built new for 2026, please do not bring cars from years past.

INSPECTION – Cars must pass inspection on the day of the race to compete. Race officials may disqualify cars at any time if found to be in violation of these rules or otherwise illegal.

WIDTH – Overall width must not exceed 2.75 inches. The width between the wheels must remain at 1.75 inches.

LENGTH – Overall length must not exceed 7.00 inches. The shape of the body cannot allow the car to extend beyond the starting pin on the race track.

WEIGHT – Cars shall not exceed 5.00 ounces. You may hollow out the body to insert weights or build the body up by adding wood, metal, etc. Be careful when placing weights under the car, cars need a minimum of 3/8” between the wheels and the bottom of the car to clear the track center guide. All cars will be weighed using the official scales on the day of the race. If your car exceeds the weight limit, you may use your own tools to decrease the weight.

WHEELS – Only official BSA wheels will be allowed. Wheels may NOT be altered in any way. Sanding (even a little bit) or otherwise modifying the wheels is absolutely prohibited. Wheels shall be installed so that the entire surface of all four (4) wheels is in contact with the race track. You must use the wheels provided in your kit. Applying graphite or other lubricant to the wheel surface (tread) is not allowed and will be required to be removed prior to weigh-in.

AXLES – The nails provided in the official kit must be used for the axles. The nails may NOT be turned down by machine. They may be smoothed lightly with sandpaper and the burr on the nail head may be filed down. No bearings, bushings, washers, tubes, or springs will be allowed. No one-piece axles will be allowed.

AXLE SLOTS – You are required to use the axle slots that are provided in the wood block, axle slots may NOT be moved or otherwise drilled or modified. The distance between axles will be measured at the weigh-in for compliance. Please be sure the axles should be positioned to give the car at least 3/8-inch ground clearance.

LUBRICATION – Only dry graphite lubricant is allowed; no type of liquid or other lubricant is permitted. Once the car has passed inspection, it may NOT be retrieved for lubrication; re-lubrication during the race is not allowed.

REPAIRS – If a car malfunctions during a race, the race will NOT be restarted unless the car interferes with another racer’s car. If the car crosses the finish line in its lane, the results will stand and race officials will determine if the participant will be allowed to make a repair before the vehicle's next race. After the car has passed inspection, any approved repairs must be made under a race official's supervision and within a five-minute time limit. Upon completion of the repair, the car weight will be rechecked for compliance.

UNIFORMS – On race day, Scouts are encouraged to wear their Field or Activity uniforms.

GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP – It is required! Any Scout, parent, or member of the audience being disruptive or displaying poor sportsmanship will be asked to leave; this should be a great day for everyone so let’s have fun!

RACE INFORMATION – The race will be held at John A. Logan Community College in Carterville, Illinois.  Be sure to arrive no later than 1:00 pm so that you can check your car in as the race will start promptly at 1:30 pm. Registration will open at 12:00 pm. Please be sure to read these rules, cars that are not in compliance will not be allowed to race. 

CARS – Scouts must use the official BSA pinewood derby kit. No precut hobby shop cars or “Kit” cars will be allowed. Cars can be built for the 2026 race, or they can be cars that were built in past years, as long as they meet all of the requirements listed below.

INSPECTION – Cars must pass inspection on the day of the race to compete. Race officials may disqualify cars at any time if found to be in violation of these rules or otherwise illegal.

WIDTH – Overall width must not exceed 2.75 inches. The width between the wheels must remain at 1.75 inches.

LENGTH – Overall length must not exceed 7.00 inches. The shape of the body cannot allow the car to extend beyond the starting pin on the race track.

WEIGHT – Cars shall not exceed 5.00 ounces. You may hollow out the body to insert weights or build the body up by adding wood, metal, etc. Be careful when placing weights under the car, cars need a minimum of 3/8” between the wheels and the bottom of the car to clear the track center guide. All cars will be weighed using the official scales on the day of the race. If your car exceeds the weight limit, you may use your own tools to decrease the weight.

WHEELS – Only official BSA wheels will be allowed. Wheels may NOT be altered in any way. Sanding (even a little bit) or otherwise modifying the wheels is absolutely prohibited. Wheels shall be installed so that the entire surface of all four (4) wheels is in contact with the race track. You must use the wheels provided in your kit. Applying graphite or other lubricant to the wheel surface (tread) is not allowed and will be required to be removed prior to weigh-in.

AXLES – The nails provided in the official kit must be used for the axles. The nails may NOT be turned down by machine. They may be smoothed lightly with sandpaper and the burr on the nail head may be filed down. No bearings, bushings, washers, tubes, or springs will be allowed. No one-piece axles will be allowed.

AXLE SLOTS – You are required to use the axle slots that are provided in the wood block, axle slots may NOT be moved or otherwise drilled or modified. The distance between axles will be measured at the weigh-in for compliance. Please be sure the axles should be positioned to give the car at least 3/8-inch ground clearance.

LUBRICATION – Only dry graphite lubricant is allowed; no type of liquid or other lubricant is permitted. Once the car has passed inspection, it may NOT be retrieved for lubrication; re-lubrication during the race is not allowed.

REPAIRS – If a car malfunctions during a race, the race will NOT be restarted unless the car interferes with another racer’s car. If the car crosses the finish line in its lane, the results will stand and race officials will determine if the participant will be allowed to make a repair before the vehicle's next race. After the car has passed inspection, any approved repairs must be made under a race official's supervision and within a five-minute time limit. Upon completion of the repair, the car weight will be rechecked for compliance.

UNIFORMS – Show your team pride - what ever team that may be.  Field Uniforms are encouraged for Scouts. 

GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP – It is required! Any Scout, parent, or member of the audience being disruptive or displaying poor sportsmanship will be asked to leave; this should be a great day for everyone so let’s have fun!

This is our first open class race for Southern Illinois Scouting.
The rules below are intentionally limited; we want to see where your imagination can take you.

RACE INFORMATION – The race will be held at John A. Logan Community College in Carterville, Illinois.  Be sure to arrive no later than 1:00 pm so that you can check your car in as the race will start promptly at 1:30 pm. Registration will open at 12:00 pm. Please be sure to read these rules, cars that are not in compliance will not be allowed to race. 

CARS – All manner of cars are allowed, including 3-D printed in a material of your choice, wooden kits, and built cars from standard pinewood kits. 

INSPECTION – Cars must pass inspection on the day of the race to compete. Race officials may disqualify cars at any time if found to be in violation of these rules or otherwise illegal.

WIDTH – Overall width must not exceed 2.75 inches. The width between the wheels must remain at 1.75 inches.

LENGTH – Overall length must not exceed 7.00 inches. The shape of the body cannot allow the car to extend beyond the starting pin on the race track.

WEIGHT – Cars shall not exceed 6.00 ounces. *** You get an extra ounce in this car class ***
Be careful when placing weights under the car, cars need a minimum of 3/8” between the wheels and the bottom of the car to clear the track center guide. All cars will be weighed using the official scales on the day of the race. If your car exceeds the weight limit, you may use your own tools to decrease the weight.

WHEELS – Plastic wheels are required.  Official BSA wheels are encouraged.  Wheels may be modified and machined as desired. Care clearance requirements must be met.
Wheels shall be installed so that (3) wheels are in contact with the track.  Full wheel surface contact is not required.

AXLES – provided kit axles, after-market axles, and solid piece axles are all allowed, as long as clearance and spacing requirements are met.

AXLE SLOTS – Axle slots may be moved and repositioned as long as clearance and wheel contact requirements are met.
Please be sure the axles are positioned to give the car at least 3/8-inch ground clearance.

LUBRICATION – Only dry graphite lubricant is allowed; no type of liquid or other lubricant is permitted. Once the car has passed inspection, it may NOT be retrieved for lubrication; re-lubrication during the race is not allowed.

REPAIRS – If a car malfunctions during a race, the race will NOT be restarted unless the car interferes with another racer’s car. If the car crosses the finish line in its lane, the results will stand and race officials will determine if the participant will be allowed to make a repair before the vehicle's next race. After the car has passed inspection, any approved repairs must be made under a race official's supervision and within a five-minute time limit. Upon completion of the repair, the car weight will be rechecked for compliance.

UNIFORMS – Show your team pride - whatever team that may be.  Field Uniforms are encouraged for Scouts. 

GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP – It is required! Any Scout, parent, or member of the audience being disruptive or displaying poor sportsmanship will be asked to leave; this should be a great day for everyone, so let’s have fun!