Pinewood Derby

"Be Fast... or Look Good Trying"

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 boy can design and build his own "grand prix" car to enter in the race.

Important 2022 Dates

Derby Workshop: Saturday, Jan 22nd, from 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM at Aspen Ridge Church (see below for more details)

Mandatory Weigh-in: Friday, Jan 28th, from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM at Aspen Ridge Church (upstairs)

Derby Race Day: Saturday, Jan 29th from 10:30 AM - 2:00 PM at Aspen Ridge Church

Race Day Highlights

There will be three divisions...

1) The Scout Derby - with the three fastest cars qualifying for prizes.

2) The Parent Derby - with the leaders and parents competing against each other.

3) The Sibling Derby - Scout brothers and sisters through fifth grade can enter their own cars. Kids in sixth grade or above will be placed in the parent division. Bring Kleenex.

Prizes and Recognition

The Derby is about doing one's best and having fun, so all child participants will be recognized. But that doesn't mean our race winners won't take home some shiny hardware.

Derby Workshop

Outside of your own garage, there will be one opportunity to mold and shape the block of pinewood into a mean, lean, well-decorated racing machine. On Saturday, January 20th, from 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM you and your son can join us at Aspen Ridge Church for a Derby Workshop. The boys are not permitted to use power tools but they are encouraged to design the shape of their cars, sand them, and decorate them accordingly. Parents are encouraged to assist the child but they should let the child do most of the work.

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 sold at the local Scout Shop or online. All active Scouts will receive a kit as a Christmas present in December. Parent and siblings are on their own. 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 boys. The complete set of rules will be available at the Derby Workshops. Please don't worry about the small print specifically worded to exclude the leaders from some or all of the rules.

Printable Rules

In addition to the guidelines and rules on the right side of this page, Pack 39 also enforces these rules. Please print and become familiar with these rules before participating in the Pinewood Derby.