Pinewood Derby 2026

Key Dates

• Pack 30 Pinewood Derby: Saturday, March 28, at St. Patrick’s Church. Check in at 12:30; races start at 1:00.

• Pack workshop events: February 12, March 12, and March 19. Plus some dens might host additional workshop events.

• The winner from each den will be invited to compete in the Sons of Liberty District Pinewood Derby, competing against the winners from packs in many nearby cities and towns. The district Derby date has not yet been finalized. 

Rules

Scouting America has a set of basic rules at https://www.scoutshop.org/pwd-rules. Our pack just has a few rules that we emphasize:

• We’re strict about weight. Cars cannot weigh more than 5 ounces.

• Your car cannot be longer than the original block or wider than the standard wheelbase.

• All four wheels must touch the track. (You can’t do the “three-wheel” trick that some people pitch on the internet.)

• No artificial propulsion (e.g., rocket motors).

For those who hope to win for their den, the district Derby has a longer list of rules to be aware of.

How to Make Your Car

The internet is full of “how-to” videos. Some are pretty extreme and over the top, including bending some of the standard rules. So try to stick with the basics. Here are a few videos we’d suggest:

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NowS_Kk5szA gives a good demonstration of the basic steps and the tools you’ll need.

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5A6SCE0eVw explains the science behind the Pinewood Derby and offers design and construction tips to increase speed. It also explains which factors really matter the most. Just beware of the most extreme tips toward the end of the video.

Here are the key steps:

1. Get the kit. The kit is a block of wood plus wheels and axles. Pack dues cover one car kit per registered scout. If you didn’t pick up your kit at the January 29 pack meeting, you can get yours at any of our workshop events or by contacting Cubmaster Chris Lamie or Pack Treasurer David Jewett.

2. Plan the design. Here's one blank template for planning: https://scoutlife.org/hobbies-projects/pinewood-derby/151097/download-a-pinewood-derby-car-design-template/. The internet is full of other options and ideas. Make sure you print it at actual size. When you draw your car, be careful not to narrow the wheelbase, because the wheels will need to fit the grooves on the track. Once you’ve drawn your design, pencil it onto the wood for cutting.

3. Cut. You can do this by hand, like with a coping saw, but we also bring a band saw to each of the workshop events and will have a leader available to use it.

4. File, sand, and chisel. The chiseling part is optional, mainly if you want to cut a notch for weights. Most cars by themselves will be less than 5 ounces, especially if you've cut a lot of the wood away. The Scout Shop sells a few different kinds of weights, and the pack has some available. But you can also just find your own heavy metal objects.

5. Paint and decorate. This part is totally up to you. We’ll have paint available at the workshop events.

6. Add axles and wheels. This may be the hardest part to get right. The internet is full of tips, and some tools are available that can help get the placement right. Some people try to get extra speed by sanding or filing the small imperfections and roughness on the axles and wheels that come from the kit.

Awards

We’ll recognize the scout with the fastest car in each den, as well as the fastest overall in the pack.

We will also give out many additional awards that are less about speed, such as “best design,” “most creative,” and more!

All scouts will also have the opportunity to earn the “Race Time” belt loop or activity pin for their age group. This adventure requires each scout to learn the rules of the race, discuss how to show good sportsmanship, and build and race their car. Wolves and older have some additional requirements that get more into the science of gravity, momentum, and friction.

Safety

Cub Scouts are not allowed to operate power tools.

Cub Scouts may use hand tools with close adult supervision. Please exercise caution and good judgment, recognizing what’s appropriate for your own child’s abilities and maturity level. For example, we would not expect our youngest scouts to be able to use hand saws or chisels safely.

Please use personal protective equipment. Safety glasses and closed-toed shoes (no bare feet or sandals) are a must.

This project offers a great opportunity to build skills and confidence in using age-appropriate tools. We just need to keep it safe so everyone has fun and no one gets hurt.