Pinewood Derby

Pack 96's Pinewood Derby Homepage

For 2023 we will be going back to an in person Pinewood Derby event! However, we will again attempt to live stream the race. link to the live stream will be added to the Pack News page. You can share it with your friends and family.

Race Day

The Derby is be held during the February Pack meeting. This is a family event so invite the grandparents, uncles, cousins, and anyone else who might enjoy the race.

"Be Fast... or Look Good Trying"

The pinewood derby is one of the most popular and successful family activities in Cub Scouting. Pinewood derby cars are small wooden models that Cub Scouts make with help from their families. Each scout can design and build their own "grand prix" car to enter in the gravity powered race. There is also a family division for siblings or parents to race their own creations.

Race Day Highlights

There will be two divisions...

1) The Scout Derby - Mixed den races. Trophies awarded by den.

2) The Family Derby - Scouts' brothers and sisters can enter their own cars. Moms, Dads, Grandparents are welcome to enter a car along with siblings.

Prizes and Recognition

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.

Derby Workshop

There will be an opportunity to mold and shape the block of pinewood into a mean lean well-decorated racing machine. We will announce date and time for the workshop once we get the parents lined up who will be supervising the shop tools. Parents are encouraged to assist the child but they should let the child do most of the work to design the shape of their car, sand and decorate them.

Equal Ground

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. All active Scouts will receive two kits; one for the scout derby and one for the family derby. The kits are also sold at the local Scout Shop or online. 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. The complete set of rules will be available at the Derby Workshops. Family derby cars do not have a weight restriction.

Rules

  • Maximum Width (to avoid lane interference) - 2-3/4"

  • Maximum Length - 7"

  • Maximum Height (to fit under finish gate) - 3-1/2"

  • Maximum Weight - Not to exceed 5 ounces

  • Minimum width between front wheels (to sit correctly on starting peg) - 1-3/4"

  • Minimum clearance underneath the body (so it does not rub on the track guide) - 3/8"

  • All nine pieces from the Official BSA Pinewood Derby kit must be used before

  • Wheels and axles may only be lightly sanded

  • Only use dry lubricant (e.g. graphite), no oils

  • No motors or other added means of propulsion


Weigh-In and Impound

An official weigh-in is held to verify rules are followed. This is generally held along with the workshop or the day before the race. All cars are inspected and stored safely. Time is allowed to make modification if needed prior to impound. The cars will be delivered to the race by the race officials