What is the new ceramic coating for the axles?  We have very strict rules, so wondering if this would break the rules.  We are allowed dry lube only, graphite. 

A coating of a bare metal axle is not a lubricant.  It is a coating that contains ceramic in a suspension that helps harden and fill in micro surface gaps.   It replaced my Krytox metal sealant that I had been using for years as it was discontinued.  I do this to ensure that the bare metal does not rust.  and that the surface is as frictionless as possible.   Look up ceramic coatings in search engine.  Its going to be one of those.  The ceramic layer is just a nice hard layer that seems to take graphite much better than bare metal.  And it keeps the axle from rusting.  SO it does it’s job very well.    

So why do you interpret a lube and a coating as the same thing?

There are 2 type of friction.  A static “sticky friction” and then mechanical friction.  Axle coatings and bore polishings are done to reduce the friction of your pinewood derby at rest – static sticky.  The forces needed to get the wheel moving.  Higher friction surfaces will cause those forces to hold the car in place just a tad bit longer than the person who took the time to reduce the friction of those surfaces.  Polishing reduces surface area “fingers that hold”….  Coatings then alter the natural friction coefficients of those materials.  So by introducing these nano coatings on the wheels and axles…. we enable the car to require less work to start or get going.  Also lighter wheels improve this process even more.  

NOW that everything is moving.  You need something to keep that work from having friction or slowing down.  All the coatings in the world have zero impact of reducing rotational friction. The just wear off. This is what the added lube does.  Ideally for rolling things…. OIL is the best because of surfactant properties it sticking in place.  But BSA idk… old school thinking.  Rather have this dry lube that gets spun into the air and all over everyone’s beautiful projects and makes a mess and doesn’t last long because its just gone.  It’s a mess for everyone.  But whatever.  This is what your rules state… You are only allowed dry lubes….. graphite is a type of dry lube and truly the best dry lube there is. There is Teflon, boron, moly, tungsten.  

And if you are super worried, just don’t order it.