Pinewood Derby

Race Day

The Derby will be held at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church

370 Bowen St, Oshkosh, WI 54901 

Schedule of Events:

Friday, January 23, 2026

6:00 pm – 8:00 pm: Registration & Car Check-In 

Saturday, January 24, 2026

11:00 AM                 Doors Open             

12:00 PM               Racing Begins          

Lion Class

Tiger Class

 Wolf Class

Bear Class

Webelos Class

AoL Class

1:10 - 1:15                     Grand Finale           

(1st place from Tiger - AOL)

1:15 - 1:30         Break for awards tally 

1:30 - 1:45                Award Ceremony    

1:45 - 2:00                  Outlaw Class            

Attendance:

Scouts and their families will be invited to attend in person.  There will not be a livestream this year.

Awards:

Scout Choice and Family Choice voting will happen online this year. Voting will be in-person and close at 1 PM.

For copies of the Race Schedule & Specifications please visit Documents -> Pinewood Derby

"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. Then they race the cars in competition. The cars are powered by gravity and run down a track. Every scout can design and build his own "grand prix" car to enter in the race.

Prizes and Recognition

Trophies will go to the top three winners in each of the den races, as well as the grand finalists. Trophies for the Scouts Choice and the Family Choice will be awarded to the cars with the most votes from our online form. All scouts who participate will also receive a Pinewood Derby race patch.

Derby Workshops

We would encourage those with proper work spaces to invite other scouts/parents over to assist with the building process, but only if it can be done safely. Garage workshops are recommended. The scouts are not permitted to use power tools but they are encouraged to design the shape of their cars, sand them, and decorate them accordingly.  Parents are encouraged to assist the child but they should let the child do most of the work.

Fair Race

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 a kit from the pack. Cars may not exceed 5 ounces in weight and must conform to size restrictions and specifications.  Decorating the cars are up to the imagination of the scouts. Complete rules are here.