Pinewood Derby
Download the 2007 District Rules here
The Pinewood Derby is probably the most anticipated day in the entire Cub Scout year. It’s the day each of our Scouts races a 5oz wooden car he designed and built himself down an official, professionally built, electronically-timed Pinewood Derby racetrack in a frenzy of excitement that lasts mere seconds.
Pack 731’s Pinewood Derby is typically scheduled in early January, and held in the Crofton Elementary School cafeteria. Derby car weigh-ins will be held in the evening the week before the event. Please don’t wait until Thursday night to bring your car in for weighing. Once a car has met the weight and rule requirements it will be kept at the weigh-in site until race day. Race times will be distributed prior to the event. Scouts initially race by rank (Tiger, Wolf, Bear,etc..) Later in the day, the top three finishers from each level come back to compete in the Pack championship race. Race order and line-ups are computer generated. Each Scout will race in 4-5 races (depending on the number of Scouts participating). Win or lose, it’s a great time for everyone! Our race is coordinated by our Bear Dens. The Derby is one of the highlights of the year for our Scouts. It’s important that all Scouts follow the Derby rules to ensure a fair race.
Pinewood Derby Tips
Make life easy: adhere to the specifications included in the box. These are enforced.
A car that weighs the maximum 5 oz goes faster than one that weighs less. You may therefore add weight to reach the maximum 5 oz. Any weight will do – official Pinewood Derby weights, washers, nuts, screws, fishing weights, etc. An accurate electronic postage scale helps as you build your car.
Lubricants for the wheels are not allowed, except as put on by the race officials.
Don't put anything on underneath the car or it will scrape the track, creating friction, which will slow the car down.
Design and decoration creativity counts as much as - if not more than - winning.
Most importantly, the Pinewood Derby is an opportunity for your son. He'll get more joy out of you supporting his effort than the other way around.
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