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Maximize Potential Energy
The physics of Pinewood racing indicates that the weight placement is dictated by your car's length, the track's initial slope and following drop, if any. Hills, waves, loops, etc. make no further difference. All tracks begin down hill. Some have drops (s-shaped). Not all flatten at the end.

Three design factors will determine how much potential energy is available to your car at the starting line. Potential energy is your car's reserve of power. The shape of your track will determine how that reserve is actually used in a race. Sometimes decreasing it can turn reduced friction to your advantage! Alter your use of these design factors depending on the over-all shape of your track:

Pack 220's track is a ramp style, which means it does not have a gentle slope and then levels off or it is not an "S" shaped track with a sudden drop and a short flat. The ramp style track is a ramp with no flat.

Rules:
Cars are to be built from the Official BSA Pinewood Derby Kit. No pre-cut kits from hobby shops.
* Cars are to be built new for this year's derby. Cars raced in previous years are not eligible to be raced.
* Car width shall not exceed 2 3/4 inches.
* Car length shall not exceed 7 inches.
* The lateral distance between wheels must be at least 1 3/4 inches.
* Car weight shall not exceed 5.0 ounces
* The car shall not ride on any type of spring.
* The car must be free-wheeling, with no starting device
* No loose materials of any kind are allowed on or inside the car.
* Wheel bearings, washers and bushings are prohibited.
* Light sanding and polishing of wheels is acceptable, however wheel surfaces cannot be wafered, beveled, ridged, crowned or rounded. Full tread-width must contact the surface.
* One-piece axles are prohibited.
* Axles may be lubricated with dry powdered lubricant only.
* After final inspection and registration by derby officials, the cars will be confiscated until races are complete.