Pinewood Derby

The Pinewood Derby is open to all Cub Scouts registered in Pack 1833.  Siblings and friends may also enter in a separate division.  Leaders and parents will be placed in their own division.  Any Scout/sibling/parent/Leader may participate in the Outlaw Derby with a non-regulation car.

Each Scout/sibling may enter only one car in the official competition. Several cars may be constructed but only one may be registered and raced. 

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.

Competition will consist of a full track of cars for each race. (We have a six lane track.)  The races will be determined using cumulative times from all six heats for each racer in which the lowest time wins.

Race Day

 The Derby will be held on Saturday, January 27th, 2024 at St. John Neumann Catholic Church.  Inspection/registration starts at 10:00 am, racing starts promptly at 11:30 am.  Pre-inspection/registration will be available on Friday, January 26th from 6:30 - 7:30 pm for those that are not able to attend race day inspection/registration.  Scouts need not be present for their car to race.  Only on Friday will you be able to test your car to be sure it passes race inspection and run test laps.  Once you submit your car for final inspection, it will be "impounded" until racing is complete.  At this point you will not be able to make any further adjustments or modifications to the car.  All cars will be returned after the awards ceremony. This is a family event so bring the grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and anyone else who might enjoy the race.  Games and activities will be provided as well.

Racing Order:  Lions  |  Tigers  |  Wolves  |  Bears  |  Webelos  |  AOL  |  Siblings  |  Parents  |  Outlaw

Tentative Schedule (Saturday)

10:00 - 11:00 am:  Registration (bring a non-perishable food item for each car as registration fee)

11:30 am - approx. 1:30 pm:  Racing

Awards will be presented after all racing has ended.

"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 child can design and build their own derby car to enter in the race.

 Race Day Highlights

There will be four divisions...  

1) The Scout Derby - Scouts compete by Rank for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place

2) The Sibling Derby - Scout brothers and sisters under the age of 16 can enter their own cars.  Youth that are 16 and older will race in the Parent or Outlaw Derbies.

3) The Parent Derby - Adults who wish to play by the official rules just like the Scouts

4) The Outlaw Derby - This is the race where anyone can enter and there are limited rules.

Prizes and Recognition

The Derby is about doing one's best and having fun.  All Scouts will receive a Pinewood Derby Patch at registration.  There will be trophies presented to the 3 fastest cars for each Rank in the Scout Derby (Lion, Tiger, Wolf, Bear, Webelos, Arrow of Light) and in the Sibling Derby.  The 1st place winner in Parent and Outlaw Derbies will receive recognition as well.  Additional awards will be presented for various design categories for craftsmanship and aesthetics.

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.  All active Scouts will receive a kit as a Christmas present in December. The kits are sold at the local Scout Shop or online if you need an extra kit.  Cars may not exceed 5 ounces in weight and must conform to certain size restrictions and specifications found HERE.  Decorating the cars is up to the imagination of the Scouts.  The complete set of rules is available at the link at the top of this page.

We need volunteers to make this race happen!

Additional Information

Please feel free to browse the Pinewood Derby pages here on our website for more information.