Competition will consist of heat races within each Den, and a series of final heats at the Pack level. Track officials are responsible for the proper conduct of the races.  

C-1. Inspection Gages: The race-day "Pit Stop" area will have the official scale and length box. That check-in equipment will be the official equipment for the race. (The same 5 oz. Master Weight used for scale calibration in pre-race check-in will also be available on race day. Please stress this fact to all Cub Scouts. They should be prepared to make adjustments to their cars if necessary.)

C-3. Car Handling Responsibility: Scouts will not handle their own cars on race day. Cars will be staged on the tracks by the "Starter Team" of adult and scouting volunteers.   

C-4. Lane Assignment:  Multiple heats are run, with lane assignments made by the race control software.   In most cases, this ensures that each car has a chance to run on most lanes, eliminating performance differences between lanes.   In run-off (tie breaker) heats, cars may only race one time, and lane assignments may appear to have an impact on the winning of the race.  The lane assignments and structure of the heats and run-offs generated by the computer are completely random and final.  Results of a race may not be appealed based on any perceived inequity in the computer generated lane assignments.   

C-5. Car Leaves Lane : If, during a race heat, a car leaves its lane but proceeds down the track in a manner that does not interfere with its opponent, then the race will be called normally, with the errant car finishing in last place for that heat. If the car leaves it's lane and interferes with another car, the race will be re-staged and re-run.

C-5b. Track Fault: If a car leaves its lane, at his sole discretion, the Trackmaster may inspect the track and, if a track fault is found which probably caused the initial violation, the Trackmaster may order the race heat to be rerun after the track is repaired.

C-6. Car Leaves Track: If, during a race heat, a car leaves the track without interfering with its opponent, it shall be considered to have ended its heat at that point and will finish last place during that heat.  If two cars leave the track, the car which travelled the furthest distance in the opinion of the race committee will finish ahead of a car which travelled a shorter distance.

C-7. Car Repair: If, during the race, a wheel falls off or the car becomes otherwise damaged, then the pit crew will,  to the best of its ability perform repairs.  If extensive repairs are required which would unduly delay the continuation of the race, the damaged car may need to be eliminated from the race.  

C-9. No Finishers: If, during a race heat, no car reaches the finish line on the track, the car which went the farthest in its lane shall be declared as the heat winner.

C-10. Call to Race: Competitors will be called by Den number prior to each heat.  Note: Some dens may be broken up or put together to equalize the size of each heat.  Heat assignment is at the sole discretion of the Race Committee.  When his Den number is called, each SCOUT will retrieve his car from "the stage" and present himself, with his car, to the Starter.  If the Cub does not respond, his name will be called a second and third time. If the Cub has not presented himself in time for his heat, he will be judged as placing last for that race heat. If no competitor is present, the track chairman may, at his sole discretion, defer the race heat in a manner that does not interfere with progress of the racing.

C-11. Scoring and Elimination.  Cars are started simultaneously with an automatic starting mechanism.  An electronic eye is triggered when the cars leave their starting gate.  Another electronic eye is triggered when the car crosses the finish line.  The electronic display indicates which car is in first, second, third, or fourth place in the heat.   First place is awarded 0 points, Second place receives 1 point, etc.   Cars are eliminated from the heat by the computer when they surpass the designated point total. 

C-11. Track Champion:  The top three racers from each Den shall bring their car from the track to the staging area for awards and photos. Their cars will be impounded on the stage until the start of the Final Heats. Inspection, repair as necessary and addition of graphite, performed with the assistance of Pit Crew members, will be permitted prior to the start of the Final Heats.  NOTE:  not all place finishers in each heat will be included in the Finals.  Participation in the finals is based on point totals achieved, and is computed by the race management software.  Finals participants can not be determined with certainty until the start of the finals.

C-13. The Race Area: Only race officials and designated assistants may enter the track area. This rule will be strictly enforced.

C-14. Rewards and Recognition: The most important values in Pinewood Derby competition are parent/son participation, good sportsmanship and learning how to follow rules. The Awards Committee is responsible for recognizing and encouraging these qualities in addition to traditional racing awards. Racers will be recognized as follows:

a.) Every participating Scout will receive a Pinewood Derby patch, pin,  and/or certificate.

b.) Every car will be awarded a certificate and/or a ribbon for winning its own unique appearance category (Most Creative, Most Humorous, Most Colorful, Best Paint Job, and so on).

c) Medals will be awarded to the first, second and third-place finishers in each Heat.

d) Trophies will be awarded for the first thru third-place finishers overall in Pack 1776 (based on results of the finals heat).