PINEWOOD DERBY 2024
Pack 55's & 56's 2024 Pinewood Derby Homepage
Race Day
This year's 2024 Pinewood Derby will be held at the Scout Cabin (140 West Ave) on Sunday, March 17th. Weigh-ins start at 1pm, racing starts at 1:30 prompt. This is a family event so bring the siblings, grandparents, uncles, cousins, and anyone else who might enjoy the race.
Click here for the official rules as posted by the District.
Car kits are available now. Contact us if you still need a car kit.
Some dens are arranging a few days when Scouts are able to attend build sessions at people's houses if you need access to tools, but if you'd prefer to purchase your own tools, some suggestions are included in these pages.
This national website has lots of other tips, design ideas, and videos. Note however that some of the tips (e.g., bending your axles) are not allowed under our District rules. Feel free to review the links on our own site's navigation menu for lots more tips and instructions that are within the District rules.
"Be Fast... or Look Good Trying"
Race Day Highlights
The Derby is about doing one's best and having fun, so don't focus on winning but rather the experience of designing, building, and decorating the car.
But that doesn't mean our race winners won't take home some shiny hardware.
The Pack is able to send three contestants from each Den to the Powahay District championship Pinewood Derby on Saturday, April 22nd, 2023.
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. The kits are provided at our Pack meetings, but if you still need one, please contact the Cubmasters or your Den Leader.
Cars may not exceed 5 ounces in weight and must conform to certain size restrictions and specifications. Decorating the cars are up to the imagination of the cubs. The complete set of rules are available at the link above. Please don't worry about the small print (though we must conform to the rules for the cars we send to the District Championships).
Derby Workshops
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 "grand prix" car to enter in the race.
Derby cars are meant to be built with guidance and help from a parent. If you need access to tools, please watch for communications about build days at a few of the parents' houses. We've also provided some links to recommended tools in these pages.