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Pinewood Derby

Race Day 2025 - March 8

The 2025 Derby will be held at Hyatts Middle School on March 8.

Race Day:

7:30-9 a.m. - Check-in, official weighing and inspection. No cars after 9 a.m. will be accepted. All cars must pass official race day inspection, pre-inspections do not qualify (they only assist to make sure you're prepared).
9-9:30 a.m. - Design voting by Scouts
9:30 a.m. - Race begins!
Once races conclude - Award ceremony

Please plan to be around until approximately 12:30 p.m. There will be a food truck from 10:30 - 12:30 available for lunch.

This is a family event so bring the grandparents, uncles, cousins, and anyone else who might enjoy the race.

About the Derby

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. Scouts can design and build their own "grand prix" car to enter in the race. While this is a fun event, there are a lot of rules/regulations that need to be followed.

Building your car

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. Cars may not exceed 5 ounces in weight and must conform to certain size restrictions and specifications. See the rules linked below. Decorating the cars are up to the imagination of the scouts. The complete set of rules are available below.

Pack 489 Printable Rules and Beginner Tips

Official Pinewood Derby Rules

Pinewood Derby FAQs

Helpful videos to learn more about building derby cars:

Resources

Many local stores (Zettler and Woodcraft Columbus) will cut your car for free! All you need to do is have a plan as to what you want them to cut, and they will help you out.

Race Day Highlights

There will be three divisions...

1) The Scout Derby - with the three fastest cars qualifying for the District Pinewood Derby (if applicable)

2) The Parent and Older Sibling Derby - a chance for the parents, and kids 6th grade and older, to get in on the fun, and competition!

3) The Sibling Derby - Scout siblings through fifth grade can enter their own cars. Kids who are in sixth grade or above will participate in the parent division.

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. Awards will be given in areas of:

Pack Overall - 1st, 2nd, and 3rd

Each Den - 1st, 2nd, and 3rd

Siblings - 1st, 2nd, and 3rd

Parents/Older Siblings - 1st, 2nd, and 3rd

Not interested in speed cars? We have theme awards as well in:

Best Cub Scout Theme
Most Unusual
Most Creative
Most Colorful
Most Patriotic
Most Realistic Car
Scout's Choice
Cubmaster's Choice

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