Pinewood Derby

The Pinewood Derby is one of the most popular and successful family activities in Scouting when Cub Scouts race small wooden cars they made with help from family.

How It Works

First, Cub Scouts build cars with help from their families or an adult. Cars are made from official kits distributed at the November pack meeting.

Next, cars are brought to the “Impound” event for inspection. Cars are checked to ensure adherence to the rules of the race. In order to race, cars must be registered on this day — there is no registration on race day!

Finally, the big day arrives: Race day. Cars race in heats, once per round. Each car’s track time (speed) is recorded. Each car will race in an equal number of heats based on how many cars are racing.

Award Categories

Cars will also be judged in the following categories:

2024 Pinewood Derby Information

Pinewood Derby Impound

Impound: Thursday, January 11 from 7-8 p.m.

Gloria Dei Evangelical Lutheran Church (22 E 18th St) - Main Church Vestibule

If you are unable to attend the Impound, someone else can register the car for you.  Just be aware, they may need to make modifications to your car if it doesn't pass inspection. Cars must be registered at impound!

Pinewood Derby Race Day

Race Day: Friday, January 12 at 6:30 p.m.

Gloria Dei Evangelical Lutheran Church (22 E 18th St) - Olsen Hall

Building a Pinewood Derby entry is a Cub Scout–adult project. Families should help with the cars but it is the Cub Scout’s project. Our recommendation is to keep it simple and have fun!

Official "RULES OF THE RACE"

Building a Pinewood Derby entry is a Cub Scout-adult project. Remind parents that they should feel free to help with the cars, but to keep in mind that it is each Scout’s project. All cars entered must be newly built after September 1, of the current-scouting year using the materials in the Official Pinewood Derby Racing Car Kit (Can only be purchased at a Scout Shop or scoutshop.org part #17006) or the Official Wheel/Axle Kit (part #17553, #17554, #17555, #17556, #17557). Wheels must be made in the USA so everyone starts out with the same kit and the same wheels.

The maximum length of the car shall not exceed 7 inches.

The maximum width (including wheels and axles) shall not exceed 2-3/4 inches.

The minimum width between the inside surfaces of the wheels shall be 1-3/4 inches so that the car will clear the center guide strip

The maximum height shall not exceed 3 1/2 inches.

All cars will be weighed in and inspected. The maximum weight is five (5) ounces. Any car over this weight will not be accepted.

The minimum clearance between the bottom of the car and the track shall be at least 3/8-inch so that the car can clear the center guide strip. (Check clearance on the track your pack uses)

Items such as steering wheels, model drivers, spoilers, decals, painting and other details are allowed as long as these details do not exceed the maximum length, width, height and weight specifications. Loose materials of any kind are not permitted on the car.

The car or any part of the car may not extend beyond the starting pin. Pin height 1-1/4 inches.

The Scout’s name and pack number must be indicated on the car. Most participants put it on the bottom.

Pinewood Derby Car Standards

Wheels

Axles

Body

Lubricants

Examples of Allowed Modifications

Addendum

These car dimensions are very important. Each car runs down a track over a guide rail with three other cars. If the car does not fit correctly on the track, it cannot race.

The car should be labeled with the Cub Scout's name, den number, and pack number (usually written on the bottom). We recommend including the year!

Rules last modified April 7, 2022.

2024 Matinecock Distrct Pinewood Derby

The top six cars from Pack 406 will compete in the Matinecock District Pinewood Derby! Please be sure Cubmaster Chris has your cars before impound on 3/9!

2024 Matinecock District Pinewood Derby
Saturday, May 4, race starts at 10 a.m.
William T. Rodgers Middle School, 97 Old Dock Rd, Kings Park, NY 11754

Pinewood Derby Resources

A Few Tips and Techniques

You must use the pre-cut axle slots to mount your wheels. Don't drill holes to mount your wheels elsewhere.

Weigh your car before impound! It must weigh less than 5.0 oz. (Always check that your scale is on lb:oz and not fl oz.)

To work with the starting gate, make sure the front of your car does not come to a point.

All four wheels must touch the track at all times. To check, roll your car on a flat surface to ensure all four wheels move.

Wheels must run flat on the track, i.e., axles must be installed in the slots 90° to wheels.

Front wheels cannot stick out further than the front of the car. This example car would not be allowed.

Pinewood Derby for Beginners

For our new families to Pack 406, Den Leader Scott made a video quickly (but isn't very quick) to help guide you and your scout in making their first Pinewood Derby car. If you have any questions, just ask!

Basic Steps in Building a Pinewood Derby Car

1. Pick a Design

This is the hard part — deciding on a design. Have your Scout think about what kind of car they will make. Do they want a car to be fast? Try for one of the appearance categories? 

2. Rough Cut the Pinewood Block

Draw or trace the template on the block of wood. You can get as creative as you want. Keep in mind that intricate designs often sacrifice speed for looks. A basic wedge design often performs very well and is easy to paint and customize.

Using a coping saw by hand or, with an adult’s help, a bandsaw or scroll saw, cut your design just outside the design lines. You will sand down to the actual lines after cutting.

3. Sand and Shape the BodyCar

Using a sanding block or sanding sponges available at any hardware store, sand and shape your car. A basic progression would be starting with 120 grit and ending with 220 grit. If your design is rough, you can start with 80 grit to more easily shape your car — careful, you can easily sand off more wood than you may intend to! For a smooth finish, lightly sand with 320 grit.

4. Add Weight to the Car

Finally, an opportunity to discuss Newtonian physics with your Scout! Cars race down a sloped track, propelled only by gravity. Thus the heavier your car is, the more potential energy it has and the faster it will go! Using a scale, put your car, wheels, axles, and enough weight to be close to (but not over) 5 oz, the weight limit. In my opinion, it’s better to be underweight than over. At impound, you can always glue on a penny if you’re under, but if your car is 5.1 oz it will not be registered until it is 5.0 oz or lighter!

Weights can be placed on the outside of your car (externally) or inside your car by drilling or cutting out holes (internally). Externally is easiest but must be glued firmly and creates resistance. Internally is best but requires drilling holes. A good place to put weights is close to the rear axle — be careful not to overweight the rear, this can cause cars to pop a wheelie!

Weights can be purchased from a hobby store. There are many types. I prefer cylinder types are very easy to install internally: Simply drill a 1/4 or 3/8” hole (check the weight diameter) in the bottom of the car and insert the weight. Fishing weights are good but be careful with lead.

If your Scout is adding decorations, be sure to include these when weighing your car. Even if you’re not aiming for 1st place in speed, your car must weigh ≤ 5 oz!

5. Paint!

Spray paint is fast and gets the job done. Krylon or Rustoleum paints are fine. If your Scout is going for a more elaborate designs, they’ll have to paint it by hand. Nontoxic acrylic paints (like Testors) are great for detail painting.

While at the hobby store, you may find some decals to apply. Basic science has proven that a car with flames on the sides will go faster. Allow the paint to fully dry (up to 24 hours) before applying any decals or detailing on top of the paint. 

Finally, you may want to apply a gloss clear coat to really make the car shine. The clear coat will help seal in the decals as well as protect both the decals and the paints. I find the spray variants of gloss clear coat the easiest to use. 

6. Ready and Attach Wheels

This is where casual racers diverge from the super serious. The best way for your Scout’s car to go faster is to polish the axles and lubricate the wheels. You will find many tutorials online about polishing the axles (must be mounted in the factory slots!), removing burrs from wheels (do not change the shape!), lubricating and other ‘secrets.’ Always check the official rules first!

Graphite is the most common dry lubricant. Before mounting your wheels, place some graphite in each axle hole and spin the wheel around a few times to ensure that the entire inside of the hole is covered. Be careful, it is an extremely light powder and a bit messy.

Mounting the wheels is a key step. The wheels should be aligned to minimize friction. Thread the axle (nail) through the plastic wheel and place the pointed end of the nail into the axle slot leaving a slight gap (1/8”) between the wheel and the body. Test the car to see how straight it rolls. If it veers, straighten the wheel by pushing on the wheel gently — don’t push very hard! Make lots of small adjustments instead of a few big ones.

Adjustments should be made slowly with repeated trials. A fun activity is to sit on a smooth floor with your Scout and roll the car back and forth while making slight adjustments. Once you are satisfied with your wheel placement, smear a drop of glue (E6000 is great for this) across the axle and the wood to secure it into place — don’t get any glue on or near the wheels!

Good news: You and your Scout are finished (after you check the car’s weight one last time)!

Items Used in These Steps

Remember the Cub Scout Motto: Do Your Best!