Pinewood Derby Planning Guide
Pinewood Derby Planning Guide
Section titled “Pinewood Derby Planning Guide”A comprehensive guide for planning and running the pack’s Pinewood Derby race.
Overview
Section titled “Overview”The Pinewood Derby is one of Cub Scouting’s most iconic traditions. Scouts and their adult partners build a small wooden car from a kit and race it on a track. The event requires significant advance planning to run smoothly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Section titled “Frequently Asked Questions”Where do we get Pinewood Derby kits? Your local Scout shop has them. Leaders may arrange bulk orders to provide them to members of your pack. You can also order kits through scoutstuff.org.
Who builds the car? A Pinewood Derby gives a Cub Scout and an adult a project to complete as a team. They design the car together, build it, and enter it in the race. Each Scout can work with one or both parents, a guardian, grandparent, or other responsible adult.
What are the weight limits? All cars must be within BSA size and weight limits so they have an equal chance to win. Use the official Pinewood Derby kit to start with the correct size. For most derbies, the finished car can weigh no more than five ounces.
What are the rules? Each pack decides its own rules. For most derbies, the car must be built with the parts in the official BSA Grand Prix Pinewood Derby kit — the wooden block, official BSA wheels, and axles. Paint, decorations, decals, and weights can be added as long as the final car stays under five ounces.
Can we substitute our own wheels, axles, or wood block? No. By starting with identical materials, every Scout has a fair chance.
How do we make the car go fast?
- Be sure the wheels are straight
- Heavier cars are often faster — add metal weights (fishing weights work well) up to the five-ounce limit
- Drill a hole in the wood before painting, glue the weight in place, cover with wood putty, sand smooth
- Dry lubricant (graphite) is often allowed; check your pack’s rules
Is lubricant allowed? Check your pack’s rules. Dry lubricant such as graphite is often allowed; oil and other fluids are not.
Can we practice before the race? Practice tracks are available through some Scout shops, and some shops offer free weigh-ins before race day.
Planning Timeline
Section titled “Planning Timeline”| Time Before Derby | Task |
|---|---|
| 3–4 months | Reserve venue (gym, fellowship hall, or meeting space) |
| 2–3 months | Order kits and confirm race software setup |
| 6–8 weeks | Distribute kits and rules to all Scout families |
| 4 weeks | Order trophies, medals, or awards |
| 2 weeks | Send car check-in and race day logistics to families |
| 1 week | Confirm track setup, timer, and volunteers |
| Race day | Set up track, run check-in and weigh-in, run races, awards ceremony |
Race Day Checklist
Section titled “Race Day Checklist”- Track assembled and tested
- Timing software configured and tested
- Check-in table with scale and rules sheet
- Awards/trophies ready
- Volunteers assigned: check-in, track marshal, timing, announcer
- Race brackets printed or loaded in software
- Snacks/refreshments arranged
Six Easy Steps to Planning the Ultimate Pinewood Derby
Section titled “Six Easy Steps to Planning the Ultimate Pinewood Derby”(Source: BSA planning guide)
- Reserve your venue — book the gym or meeting space well in advance; it books fast
- Order supplies — kits, trophies, lubricant stations, track if you don’t own one
- Set your rules — publish the rules to families as soon as kits are distributed
- Recruit volunteers — you need a team for check-in, track, timer, and awards
- Run check-in/weigh-in — confirm all cars meet rules before racing begins
- Run the race — use race management software to fairly schedule all heats
Additional Resources
Section titled “Additional Resources”- See grandprix-race-software resource for GrandPrix race timing software instructions
- BSA Pinewood Derby Leader Guide: bsa-pinewood-derby-leader-guide
Used In
Section titled “Used In”| Resource Used In | Type |
|---|---|
| Pinewood Derby Coordinator | Role |
| Program Chair | Role |