Pinewood Derby

Cub Scouts, with the help of parents, build their own cars from wood, usually from kits containing a block of pine, plastic wheels, and metal axles." ... read more about the purpose and the history of Pinewood Derby on Wikipedia.  This event isn't just for scouts!  Siblings have their own race and adults can enter the near-lawless Outlaw Derby!

 -- Pack 1776 Pinewood Derby, January 2018

The 3 city of Murphy Packs (1776, 1783, & 1789) work together to share facilities and track.  After the last Pack completes their races on Saturday, we hold a City of Murphy PWD Finals for the top 3 cars from each Pack.  It is a long weekend for our PWD crew here at 1776, but well worth the fun and the smiles on the scout's faces!!

Scouts, can your car be added to the Pinewood Derby wall of Fame?

"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 boy can design and build his own "grand prix" car to enter in the race.

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.  Especially the leaders who battle and fudge and manipulate their way to the oh so awesome victory lane for that oh so elusive Outlaw Trophy.

BSA PWD Kits

We will have official BSA Pinewood Derby (PWD) kits available for $5 - contact the committee chair or  your den leader.  Cars can also be purchased at a local Scout Shop.  Don't forget that BSA wheels are required to keep the racing fair!

Derby Workshops

There will be several opportunities to mold and shape the block of pinewood into a mean lean well-decorated racing machine.  We will announce dates and times for the workshops once we get the parents lined up who will be supervising the shop tools.  The boys 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.

Race Day Highlights

There will be three divisions... 

1) The Scout Derby - the three fastest cars in each rank qualifying for the District PWD.

2) The Outlaw Derby - the adults cheating their way to contested victory again this year.  Life is not fair boys.  Live with it.

3) The Sibling Derby - Scout brothers and sisters through fifth grade can enter their own cars.  Kids in sixth grade or above will be disenfranchised in the Outlaw division.  Bring Kleenex.

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. The kits are normally sold at November and December Pack Meetings at a reduced cost or you can pick them up 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 of the boys.  The complete set of rules will be available at the Derby Workshops. 

 

Printable Rules

Both the District Rules and the Outlaw Rules are attached below.

Car Designs

Speed!  I need more SPEED!