Pinewood Derby!

There’s nothing quite like watching a little wooden car you’ve sweated and labored over finally take off down the track, rolling toward glory.

Since 1953, Pinewood Derby has been a cornerstone of the Cub Scouting experience. Every year, thousands of Cubs around the nation (and the world!) gather to race their cars and make lifetime memories. Generations of Cubs, past and present, come together to share in what has become a quintessential part of Cub Scouting.

And Pack 309 is no different. Our Pack has a long history of Pinewood Derby, and that history continues every year! Whether we’re racing against our fellow Cubs, or opening our doors to our fellow Girl Scouts or older Scouts, the thrill of Pinewood Derby calls to us all!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Pinewood Derby?

Pinewood Derby is a race involving small wooden cars rolling down a track. Cars are propelled only by gravity as they roll down the track toward the finish line. Each car races in multiple heats and the final time is an average of the heat times.

How do I get a car to race?

Part of the fun of Pinewood Derby is that our Scouts build their own cars, with the help of family and friends (many of our fondest memories of the event come from building the car together!). It all starts with an Official Pinewood Derby Car Kit – a simple block of wood, wheels, and axles from which the car is crafted.

Pack 309 Cubs have one kit provided to them by the Pack, generally during the December Pack meeting, well before Race Day.

What tools are needed to build a car?

A simple block of wood probably isn’t the race day vision our Scouts have! It’ll need to be cut and shaped into their dream racer. Some work with a saw will get the rough shape, and some sandpaper can take it from there.

Pack 309 hosts a “cutting day” during our December Pack Meeting, where volunteer parents from the Pack come with saws to get the cars into shape.

And, of course, once the car is shaped, our Scouts love to paint and decorate and really make it theirs!

What are the race rules?

Cars may only be propelled by gravity
All cars must weigh less than or equal to 5.0 ounces (as determined by the scale at weigh-in)
Cars should be no more than 7″ long and 2 3/4″ wide (the dimensions of the block in the kit with the wheels attached)
Cars must use the wheels and axles that come with the Official Kit. No bearings, washers, or bushings are permitted.
Wheel lubricants are permitted, but must be of the dry powder type. No wet lubricants.

What are the best practices for the car?

It’s best not to attach anything to the bottom of the car, if possible. The track has a rail down the center of each lane, and in the past undercarriage decorations have gotten snagged on that (and slowed the car down!)
The best performing cars are those that are as close to the 5.0 ounce weight limit as possible. You’ll need to add some weight to achieve this, as the wood block by itself weighs around 3oz before cutting. Decorations, fishing weights, and batteries are all good ways to add weight, and there are even various purpose-made weights for Pinewood Derby cars to help dial it in perfectly. A kitchen scale is just fine for checking your car’s weight, but remember to include the wheels and axles!
A car’s center of gravity should be an inch or so in front of the rear axle. You can test this by balancing the car on a pencil, and where it balances is the center of gravity.
A little powdered graphite on the axles can do a lot for a car’s speed!
Be creative! Fast cars come in all different shapes and colors and themes. There is no one “winning” design, so have fun with it!

What can I expect on Race Day?

Race Day actually begins the evening before, during Check In. At this time all cars are weighed and checked for size. Once each car is cleared, the car and racer are entered into the race system. After check-in, all cars are held by the organizers until the race begins.

(We have a second check-in period for our Girl Scout racers just before their race begins – Girl Scouts are welcome to check in either way)

During the race, each car will run four heats, once on each lane in the track. This ensures that every car has the best possible chance to perform at its best. The Pack uses a software controller to schedule all heats, and cars do not run them sequentially. There are monitors in the room showing which racers are up, and an announcer calling out the participants in each hear. Keep an eye and ear out for your car!

Once all heats are run, results are tabulated and we celebrate our racers!

What awards are available?

During the Pack 309 Pinewood Derby, the top 3 finishers in each Den are recognized, as well as the top 3 finishers in the Pack overall.

Each Pinewood Derby also has a few design/decoration awards, and the winners are chosen by you in a vote! Instructions on how to vote will be posted in the room during the race, be sure to vote!

Awards for non-Pack races, such as those we host for our Girl Scout and other friends, are determined by the organizers of those events.