The official BSA rules for Pinewood Derby cars is as follows.

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 for Adults.

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

CAR SPECIFICATIONS: Width- 2 3/4",  Weight- Not over 5 ounces,  Width between wheels - 1 3/4 ",  Bottom clearence between car and track- 3/8".

RULES: Wheel bearings, washers and bushings are prohibited. The car shall not ride on springs. Only the official Cub Scout Grand Prix Pinewood Derby wheels and axles are permitted. Only dry lubricant is permitted. Details, such as steering wheels 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 ( Set up by each Pack) 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 reinspected unless the car is damaged in handling or in a race.

It is up to the individual packs and districts to adjust and change rules which govern adult races, open classes and anything else that would be a concern of the event.

We've placed this on the reviews because we had a concern from one buyer who has taken the issue of height to a new extreme. We just wanted to show him that no where in the official rules and regulations is there a height restriction. BSA has been selling devices and kits like the Semi trucks which are taller than the official BSA kits. Also no where in the rules it says anything about what type of block can be used, there are several types available to the scouts, official kits new and old have different sized blocks kit# 17006 is different sized from the older #1622 kits, then you have Pinecar kits, Anwa kits and so on. So if you have any questions about rules on height, there are none unless your district or pack has them. But the official BSA rules have no height restriction for Pinewood Derby cars.

This review was posted for the benifit of Mr. Dave Dibbern/ DJ_Tidalwave. He has gone to the extremes of attacking our boy scouts for there efforts over a height restriction. I'd like to see his official BSArules, ours came from the kit and national BSA web sight.