Pinewood Derby
Pack 246's Pinewood Derby Homepage
Race Day
The Derby date is January 20th, 2024 (time TBD). This is a family event so bring grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and anyone else who might enjoy the race.
"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 their own "Grand Prix" car to enter in the race.
Race Day Highlights
There will be two divisions...
1) The Scout Derby - with the fastest cars qualifying for the District Pinewood Derby.
- Award for "Best in Show".
2)The Parent/Sibling/Leader Derby - More for bragging rights than rewards.
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.
Derby Workshops
More information on the work shops as the time nears. We will have an opportunity to mold and shape the block of wood into a mean lean well-decorated racing machine. Please arrive with an idea of how you would like your car to be cut. 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.
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 sold at the local Scout Shop or online. All active Scouts will receive a kit as a Christmas present in December. Parent and siblings are on their own. 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 kids. The rules will be the same as last year, and the rules included with the kit will be followed. Please don't worry about the small print specifically worded to exclude the leaders from some or all of the rules.
Printable Rules