Pinewood Derby
2024 Pack 802 Pinewood Derby Races
Saturday, February 24, 2024
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM @ A&M UMC - Annex Fellowship Hall
Races & Brunch - RSVP Here!!!
Official Race Kits
Cubs received car kits at the December meeting. Additional or replacement kits can be purchased at Burdett & Sons or Hobby Lobby. Please use ONLY OFFICIAL Pinewood Derby kits as pictured below or the latest as seen on Scout Shop. This is critical to make sure everyone is competing from the same platform.
Build Safety
Make safety your top priority. David Meade, author of Pinewood Derby® Speed Secrets, offers useful guidelines for maintaining safety:
Gather your safety essentials: dust mask, goggles, and latex gloves.
Wear eye protection at all times.
Monitor Cub Scouts' use of tools.
Wear a dust mask when appropriate.
Work in a well-lighted and well-ventilated area.
Consider wearing gloves when using sharp tools.
Do not wear loose-fitting clothing.
Do not melt lead; handle lead with care.
Follow all safety rules and precautions listed on the tools and products you use.
Keep your work area clean and organized.
General Race-Day Itinerary
Please include the following written CLEARLY on the bottom of your car.
Name - So that we know whose car it is.
Den - Write your critter so that we know what den you're racing with.
Tech Inspection opens at 9:00 and closes at 9:30. Be checked in by 9:30 please.
First race by 10:00 and should be all cleaned up by noon.
Snacks will be potluck breakfast style, so bring something yummy.
Awards will be provided for overall winners and step-and-repeat podium pictures for each grouping. No 7th place trophies up in here, but we'll have plenty of winners. You are allowed to proxy race if you cannot attend, just make sure your car is within regulation specs and make arrangements for someone to check it in.
Types of Races
Typically they will be a best of three to five, depending on the size of the group. The winner will be decided by best overall finishing average. If there is a tie, a head-to-head race will be run to determine the winner.
Den semi-finals - The top three places from each den into the overall pack race.
Pack Championship - The podium (1st, 2nd, & 3rd) finishers will receive prizes.
Adults & Siblings - For adults and siblings to race regulation cars also.
Outlaw Class - Bring whatever design you want to run for this race.
Grudge races - Want to challenge someone? Bring it on!
Only the Unlimited and Grudge races should be outside of regulation designs if you wish to be in the running.
We will take the top three qualifiers from each den level semi-final bracket to compete in the overall Pack Championship race.
Additional Awards
Just like in real life, not every car is built for speed. We will have voting for the following fields, prior to the race:
Best in Show
Most Creative Use of Materials/Accessories
Best Craftsmanship/Woodworking Skills
Best Paint Job
Best Use of Stickers/Decals
Best Theme (Movie/Show/Game/Etc)
Most Aerodynamic
Most Interesting Shape (Unique)
Most Colorful
Most Realistic Looking Vehicle
Best Car That’s Not Shaped Like A Car
Official Rules
BSA’s Pinewood Derby Car Building Rules
Each local Pinewood Derby committee determines the rules for building and racing cars. The committee will need to make sure their rules don't conflict with those of the district or council to ensure their members can participate in events at those levels.
According to the BSA's Cub Scout Leader How-To-Book, the general rules are as follows:
All cars must pass the following inspection to qualify for the regulation championship:
Width shall not exceed 2-3/4 inches.
Length shall not exceed 7 inches.
Weight shall not exceed 5.000 ounces for any of the classes.
Axles, wheels, and body shall be from the materials provided in the kit. Additional wheels can be purchased separately but should match in design of the original kit. They do not have to match in color (of the plastic).
Wheel bearings, washers, and bushings are prohibited.
No lubricating oil may be used. Axles may be lubricated with powdered graphite or silicone.
The car shall not ride on any kind of spring.
The car must be free-wheeling, with no starting devices.
No loose materials of any kind are allowed in the car.
Referemce: Rules for Building Your Pinewood Derby Car