PINEWOOD DERBY | Cub Scout Pack 136

Pinewood Derby

The Pinewood Derby is a car race where your scout will race a small car that he has built

(or helped build). Each scout will enter one car to compete for Design, Speed, or both.

WHEN: Jan 27, 2024, weigh in begins at 12:00pm (complete schedule at bottom of page)

WHERE: Holy Family Catholic Church Parish Hall

CAR SPECIFICATIONS
The official Pinewood Derby rules are located HERE.

In a nutshell, here's what you need to know:

Cars must weigh 5 ounces or less
IMPORTANT: the fastest cars will weigh closest to 5 ounces, so be sure to add weight if needed!
Cars must not exceed 7 inches in length
Cars must not exceed 2.75 inches in width, including wheels
Minimum bottom clearance of the car is 3/8". This includes any weights that are placed on the bottom of the car.
Cars must use official BSA wheels (in car kit box)
Only powder lubricants allowed, and please use them before entering the building
DESIGN - The District Pinewood Derby competition highly discourages cars with a 'brand name' design (think Hershey's, Pokemon, etc.), but we will accept it for our Pack competition. If you have any questions, please email pack136cubmaster@gmail.com.

The Best Pinewood Derby Resources for a Winning Car

SCHEDULE

12:00pm: Weigh in begins.
When you arrive, scouts will check in at the designated area. Scouts must be present and in uniform to check in. Cars will be weighed and checked in if all regulations are met. If there are problems, scouts may visit "Pit Row" to make adjustments, and revisit check in. Once the car is checked in, there are no more adjustments allowed.

12:35pm: Voting for best design begins.
Parents will vote for best design, so please make sure that you are there on time with your car checked in. Cars not completely checked in by 12:30pm will be disqualified for racing and design.

Design Trophies:

1st place winners for each den
1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners for the Pack

12:50pm: Start of meeting and racing begins by rank.
Each scout will race several times, and the racing official will announce the winner of each heat.

Speed Trophies:

1st and 2nd place winners for each den
1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners for the Pack

There will be time at the end for siblings to race cars, if they wish.

Winners for Speed and Design will be announced after all races are finished.

Racing and handing out trophies takes approximately 2-2.5 hours.

STEPS TO BUILDING YOUR CAR

1. Get your car kit. Pinewood Derby car kits are typically distributed to Den Leaders.

2. Design your car. Sketch on a piece of paper the size of your block of wood. Pretty much any shape will do, but the fastest cars look like a wedge, with the front narrow.

3. Use your drawing to trace the design of the car onto the block of wood.

4. Cut the wood, or take the wood block to Woodcraft (209 S Royal Oaks Blvd, Franklin) and they will make a simple cut for free.

NOTE: Although Woodcraft will cut your car for free, they can only make a basic wedge or other simple cut, so keep your design simple or plan to make more detailed cuts on your own.)

5. Finish the design on your car (paint, spray paint, etc.)

Hobby Lobby, Michael's and the Nashville Scout Shop all have extra parts if you break one of yours, or if you are looking for something special to add to your car like stickers, etc.

6. Put on the wheels.

7. Weigh your car. Add weight as needed so your car is 5 ounces or as close as possible without going over. Hobby Lobby, Michael's and the Nashville Scout Shop sell weights, but you could also glue on pennies, etc. to make it heavier. Just be sure that you have 3/8"clearance under your car so it will fit on the track.

TIP: Search online to find tons of ideas, tips, and advice from the many parents before you who have helped build and design these cars. Sometimes the simplest cars are fastest, but it’s also really fun to see all the different and unique designs on race day!

Schedule