Weight and Appearance

Weight shall not exceed 5.0 ounces. The reading of the official scale will be considered final. The car may be hollowed out and built up to the maximum weight by the addition of wood, metal, or other solid materials, provided the material is securely built into the body or firmly affixed to it. No liquids or loose materials of any kind are permitted in or on the car.

Strive to max out the weight! If you are trying to get the best times, you will be disappointed by building a sleek car that only weighs 1.5 ounces.

Plan ahead and include a few bits of weight to add/remove at official weigh-in. Your scale may differ from the official scale!

Everyone has an opinion on where to put the weight. My belief is that the weight needs to be predominantly in the rear so that gravity can act upon the weight further up the incline and for a longer distance down the starting ramp. A car with more weight to the rear generally grabs more speed down the slope. Many suggest having the center of gravity at 1 to 1-1/2 inches in front of the rear wheels. But be careful not to put too much in the rear or you'll pop a wheelie.

What kind of weight? I think the melted lead is dangerous and unnecessary for a child's car. Parents - go for it. Tubular weights can be sunk in the sides; flat weights, like those sold at hobby & council stores can be attached to the car bottom if it is carved in a bit. Incremental weights (with pre-marked grooves) are easier to snap off into the size you need. Some folks just use BB's, nuts & bolts, etc., but these must be glued so that they can not move. No movable weights or mercury are allowed. If lead is used, it must be painted, contained, or sealed into the body of the car. This is to provide safety against lead contamination to the race officials as well as your Scout while handling his car during the build and after the race. Remember to wash your hands after handling lead. This is a good practice to instill early in your child.

I like the round weights found at the hobby shops and craft stores. This allows us to stick the weights out the back of the car (keeping overall length no more than 7 inches!). We paint them and tell everyone that they are jet engines or tail pipes. What they really do is allow us to get the weights as far back as possible.

Keep the weight low on the car and in the center (Left/Right of the car). Put the weight just in front or behind the rear wheels for less wheel chatter.