Pinewood Derby

“Be Fast… or Look Good Trying”
The pinewood derby is one of the most popular and successful activities in Cub Scouting. In December kids the pack provides each scout a Pinewood Derby Car Kit. This kit contains an official pinewood block that they kids with a parent cut sand and shape into a design of their choice. These cars are raced in competition with the entire pack.The cars are powered by gravity and run down a track. Trophy are given to the fastest 3 cars for the pack, and the top car for each den that did not win a pack award. Trophy are given to the top design as chosen by the kids and a Cubmaster Choice Trophy.

There will be two divisions…
The Scout Derby – made by current Cub Scouts.

The Parent and Sibling Derby – Scout parents, brothers, and sisters can enter their own cars.

The Derby is about doing one’s best and having fun, so all child participants will be recognized. But that doesn’t mean our race winners won’t take home some shiny hardware. There will be trophies and other forms of recognition for style!

2019 Pinewood Derby cars on display before the race.

Official Race Timing
The pack owns an extruded aluminum race track about 40 feet long with a final stop section to ensure the cars do not get damaged. There are six lanes and each car is raced on each lane once. The track is hooked up to a computer for official timing and record keeping. The computer display the results of each heat on a projector for all to see.

Asst Cubmaster checking the cars before the next heat of the Adult leaders pinewood derby race.

2)The Parent and Sibling Derby – Scout parents, brothers, and sisters can enter their own cars.
The Derby is about doing one’s best and having fun, so all child participants will be recognized. But that doesn’t mean our race winners won’t take home some shiny hardware. There will be trophies and other forms of recognition for style!

Build your car Workshops
The pack leaders try to offer several workshops to build their cars. It is recommended to attend both workshops. The first workshop is geared towards shaping the cars. We try to have a band saw on hand, a drill press and a combination belt and disc sander. For safety we will have hearing and eye protection and the power tools are used by the adults, however the parents may work with the kids on using the tools at their discretion. After this workshop you are encouraged to bring the car home and with an adult guidance paint the car to your desires. The second workshop is about fine tuning and getting your car up to but not exceeding 5 ounces. We will have a scale onsite for measuring. Parents are encouraged to assist the child but they should let the child do most of the work where possible.

One of the scouts presenting his car before surrendering at weigh in.

Weigh-In
A few days before the race the cars are weighed to ensure they do not exceed 5 ounces. You will surrender the cars at the weigh-in and will not have access to the cars until after the race is complete. This is for fairness and to prevent accidental damage. The leaders will keep and transport the cars in a padded tub.

Check the pack calendar for the latest updates regarding workshops.

Rules and Regulations
All entries in the derby will start with the “Official Grand Prix Pinewood Derby Kit” which includes the body, 4 axles, and 4 wheels. All nine pieces MUST be used before the car can race. The kits are provided for all registered scouts. Parents and siblings can purchase a kit to race as well for about $5. All active Scouts will receive a car kit in December or January. Parent and siblings are on their own. The pack usually purchases extra car kits and sells them at cost. Cars may not exceed 5 ounces in weight and must conform to certain size restrictions and specifications. Decorating the cars are up to the imagination of the scouts.