Pinewood Derby

Typically occurring in late January, the Pinewood Derby is one of Pack 654's biggest events of the year! Scouts, parents and siblings alike have a blast while learning the basics of woodworking and good-natured competition.

What is the Pinewood Derby?

The Pinewood Derby is an annual racing event which allows Cub Scouts to build their very own wooden race car and compete against their fellow Pack members. The Pinewood Derby is an age old tradition for Cub Scouts. The very first Pinewood Derby was run in 1953 by Pack 280C in Manhattan Beach, right here in Southern California. It's a fun way for Scouts to learn to use woodworking tools while bonding with their Akelas, by going through the end to end process of designing their car, building it out, and then seeing the results of their hard work at the Pinewood Derby day!

Build Day

The fun begins at the December Pack meeting, when each Scout receives their Pinewood Derby kit and begins dreaming about what cool designs they can build. Siblings and Parents can get in on the fun as well, as Pack 654 typically offers a separate race for non-Scouts. Additional cars for non-Scouts may be purchased from the Pack at a nominal price.

In early January, Pack 654 hosts a Pack Build Weekend, providing all the tools necessary for Scouts to take their cars from a simple block of wood to a slick finished product. This is a great opportunity for parents who might not have all the tools or woodworking experience to take advantage of the tools and knowledge of parents who have been doing this for a few years. Dens may also hold their own Build Den Meetings during this time.

Race Day

The big event comes at the end of January, when the whole Pack gets together to race their cars. This is a big event with food and activities for the entire family.

The race is run in heats, and times are tracked using software by the racemaster. Scouts with the top times at the Den level and Pack level will be recognized for their speed. Pinewood Derby cars will also be judged in other categories as well. Cars that may not have the fast design may win "Best Sports Theme", "Wildest Paint Job", or "Scariest Design", among others.

This is one Pack 654's favorite traditions. Join us to see what the fun is all about!

Resources

Design Tips

Have your child draw a design on paper then cut it out and use it as a template. The paper with the little squares on it to makes it easier. Draw a side and top view on the paper by tracing around the block of wood.
Keep the car a full seven inches. It has to do with the physics of velocity and length of travel of the weights.
Use the full 2 3/4 inches (outside wheel to outside wheel) that the rules give you. This will allow the wheels to travel farther before hitting the center strip.
Leave a lot of wood in the back to put in the weights.
Use the groove closest to the end of the block of wood as the rear axle.
Do not make the front of the car pointed. It is hard to set up against the starting dowels.
Use your imagination. Be creative. Shape has the least to do with winning. A beaver driving a log or even a pickup truck is more interesting than a wedge and will be just as fast. The aerodynamics of a small block of wood doesn't mean much in thirty feet.

Note: The Race Starter will place the car on the track according to axle location. The back axel is nearest to the end of the car. The front axel is furthest away from the end of the car. This determines the direction the car will race unless the contestant clearly marks "Front" on the car.

Be Prepared... for Race Day

Have extra axles and wheels on hand. You never know when your car may be the one dropped by your son as he shows off his handiwork.
Have a derby tool kit handy. It should include superglue, sandpaper, a drill, extra screws for your weights, extra weights, a small screwdriver. You may not use it, but it will make you the most popular person at the event.
Transport your car in a shoebox. Dropped cars are unfortunately a too common experience.
Add LOTS of graphite right before check in.
Explain to your Scout that running the car along the floor prior to the race will cause it to lose!

Videos

Ground Rules & Competition

Official Inspection Committee Decisions are FINAL

Build Rules

The car must have been built during the current year (the school year in which the Derby is held). Cars that have competed in a previous Derby are not permitted.
Details such as steering wheel, driver, decals, etc. are permissible as long as these details do not make the car exceed the maximum length, width or weight specifications.
Axles and wheels provided in the BSA kit shall be used.
Official BSA wheels must be used. The wheels may not be cut, drilled beveled or rounded. You may remove the seams and imperfections from the wheels.
Axles may be slightly filed / sanded to remove burrs and polished. Grooves cut into the axles are prohibited.
The area of the body where axles are inserted must remain 1 3/4 inches wide, otherwise wheels will not fit over the guide strips on the track.
The car must have a 3/8 inch clearance underneath the body or the car will rub on the guide strips on the track. If you plan on applying additional weights underneath the vehicle, make sure you have adequate clearance.
Wheel bearings, washers, bushings, oil, grease or any foreign substance is prohibited, except dry powdered graphite. Powdered graphite may be applied at home prior to racing, though it will also be provided at the event.
Springs for suspension are prohibited.
The car must be free wheeling with no starting devices.
The front bumper of the car may be rounded or square. Take note that the starting gate (a vertical rod in the center of the lane) is holding the vehicle in place).
Cutting a notch / wedge in the front of the car to go around the starting gate pin (so that the front of the vehicle protrudes past the pin) is prohibited.

Size and Weight Requirements

Width shall not exceed 2 3/4 inches
Length shall not exceed 7 3/8 inches
Height shall not exceed 4 1/4 inches
Overall weight shall not exceed 5.0 ounces

The car may be hollowed out and built up to the maximum weight by the addition of wood, metal, etc. that is securely fastened in / onto the body. Loose and / or free moving weights (e.g. lead shot in a hollowed cavity) are prohibited.

The official race scale that is used at car check-in / inspection shall be considered final.

Inspection / Registration

Each car must pass inspection by the Official Inspection Committee, at the Inspection Station. This includes:
- Meeting overall length, width & height requirements
- Minimum of 3/8 inch ground clearance under the vehicle
- Correct car number per assignment sheet
After inspection, the car will be taken to the Race Ready area. No further handling / modification of the vehicle is permitted by Scout or Parent.
If repairs are needed, it will need to go back through the Official Inspection Committee.
Once racing starts, only Race Committee members are allowed to handle the vehicles.
If minor damage to vehicle occurs during racing (lose a wheel), the racer is allowed 5 minutes for repair. The vehicle will then be checked again for maximum weight.

Racing Rules

Competition will consist of a full track of cars for each race. (We have a three lane track.) The competition committee will determine how to race the cars in the fairest manner possible to determine the fastest cars.
If a car jumps the track, the race will be run again. If the same car jumps the track a second time, that car will automatically lose that race.
If a car leaves its lane and interferes with another car, the race will be run again. If the same car leaves its lane a second time and interferes with another car, the interfering car will automatically lose that race.
If a car becomes damaged and can be repaired in a reasonable amount of time (a few minutes), the race will be run again. If not, the damaged car will automatically lose that race.
Only race officials and scouts participating in the current race may enter the track area. This rule will be strictly enforced. Please help to keep the boys and siblings inside the marked areas.

Awards / Judging

Besides the fastest cars, there are other categories which will be considered.
There will be judging of the vehicles, and recognition will be given for the best vehicles in various categories, such as Best Detail, Most Colorful, Most Humorous, etc.