Pinewood Derby
WHAT IS THE PINEWOOD DERBY?
The Pinewood Derby is a Cub Scout car race where Scouts build a 7-inch wood toy car and race it down a sloped track.
Where to get your car kit:
Scouts may pick up their free car kit at Cutting & Construction Day or from their den leader at our Jan/Feb Pack meeting.
Cutting & Construction Day:
At the Feb Pack Meeting
Inspection and Car Check-In:
You will check in, weigh, and get a number.
Race Day:
Dress Code: Field Uniform “Class A”
TROPHY CATEGORIES
Speed awards (for Scouts):
Fastest cars overall in the pack - 1st place (Grand Prix Champion), 2nd place, 3rd place
Fastest cars by rank - 1st, 2nd, 3rd place (Lion/Tiger, Wolf/Bear, Webelos/Arrow of Light)
MPG award - slowest car overall in the pack
Judged awards (for Scouts and Siblings):
Crowd Favorite - Design
RULES
CAR SPECIFICATIONS (maximum):
Width — 2 3/4″
Length — 7″
Weight — Not over 5 ounces
Width between wheels — 1 3/4″
Bottom clearance between car and track — 3/8″
Pack 99 follows the rules provided by the Sam Houston Area Council of Boy Scouts of America. All cars must pass inspection during pre-registration in order to be qualified to race for a trophy prize.
1. Only official Cub Scout Grand Prix Pinewood Derby wheels and axles are permitted. Scouts must use the kit that Pack 99 provides them.
The wheels supplied with the kit must be used. The wheels may not be cut, drilled, beveled or rounded. You may remove the seam from the wheels.
Drilled holes may be used for the axles instead of the furnished slots, however, extending the wheelbase is not allowed.
The axles supplied with the kit must be used. They may be polished or lubricated with dry graphite only.
The wood provided in the kit must be used. The block may be shaped any way that is desired.
2. Only dry lubricant is permitted.
3. Wheel bearings, washers and bushings are prohibited.
4. The car shall not ride on springs.
5. Details, such as steering wheel and driver are permissible as long as these details do not exceed the maximum length, width and weight specifications.
6. The car must be free-wheeling with no starting devices.
7. All four wheels must run on the track.
8. Each car must pass inspection, the owner will be informed of the reason for failure, and will be given time within the official weigh-in time period to make adjustments.
9. The official race scale used at inspection shall be considered final.
10. After final approval, cars will not be re-inspected unless the car is damaged in handling or in a race.
11. Scouts may race only cars built for this year’s event (not from previous Pinewood Derby races or cars built for other competitions).