Pinewood Derby

Schedule:

• Tue 20 Jan 2026, 7:00 pm: Car Cutting for Lions, Tigers, Wolves
• Tue 27 Jan 2026, 7:00 pm: Car Cutting for Bears and Webelos
• Tue 3 Feb 2026, 6:30-8 pm: Registration, Check-In, and Impound
• Sat 7 Feb 2026, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm Pinewood Derby Race

Participation: Open to all Pack 925 Cub Scouts and siblings. Parents can race a car in the Open Division. You do not have to be present to race! We will stream the race virtually for those who cannot attend in person. You can pick up your car at the 6 Feb den meeting if you do not attend.

Registration: We will have check-in and impound for ALL racers on Tuesday, February 3^rd, from 6:30 to 8:00 pm. Tools will be available for modifications if required. PLEASE HAVE YOUR CAR MOSTLY FINISHED. This should be time to fine-tune the weight of the car. No wet paint or wet glue will be accepted.

Construction: The car must be newly built for the current Cub Scouting year. The Scout should make the car independently. Parental supervision in the construction of the car is encouraged.

Inspection: Cars will be inspected during registration to comply with these specifications:

• Body: The body from the official BSA Pinewood Derby Kit must be used. It may be shaped, hollowed out, or built up from the original block. Any additions to the original body (i.e., steering wheels, drivers, decals, paint, weights, etc.) must be firmly attached and within length, width, and weight limits. No car part may sit forward of the start line on the track at the start of a race.
• Weight: The car may not exceed 5 ounces and must weigh at least 4 ounces as measured on the official scales. Mercury should not be used to add weight. No exposed uncovered lead weight.
• Ground Clearance: Must be at least 3/8″ above the track and have a smooth bottom.
• Width/ Wheelbase: The car width at the wheels may not be modified and must be the same as the original kit. Total car width may not exceed 2-3/4″. The wheelbase (distance between front and rear axles) may be altered if the car’s overall length does not exceed 7 inches.
• Wheels: Wheels and axles must be official BSA wheels from the kit or colored BSA wheels. No washers, bushings, bearings, or springs are allowed. Wheels may be sanded to remove flash only. No reductions in the width, diameter, or shape of the wheels are allowed. Axles may have burrs removed and polished.
• Lubrication: Only dry, powdered lubricants, such as graphite, may be used.
• Other: Cars must free-wheel with no stored energy devices or moving weights. The supplied body has no designated front or back; either end may be the front.

Impound: After a car has cleared the registration area, it will be taken and placed in the impound area until after the last race. A “Pit Area” with a workbench, hand tools, hot glue gun, spare wheels and axles, weights, and lubricants will be available for repairs.

Racing Method: Racers will be divided into Pack, Sibling, and Open divisions. Each car will race in each of the six lanes 1 time for a total of 6 races. The races will be timed, and standings will be determined by the average time of each racer. The top three finalists and finishing order within each Den will be decided by the combined time of all their races. The Fastest overall combined time for the Pack Division will be awarded the Fastest Car Trophy.

Other Awards: Award categories may very, but typically include those listed below. A web link will be published after check-in with pictures of each car for voting on the awards.

• Best In Show for Design
• Best Display of Scout Spirit
• Best Food Car
• Best Paint Job
• Best Retro Car
• Best Superhero Car
• Best Use of Color
• Best Use of Flames
• Best Use of Legos
• Best Use of Stickers
• Desperate Use of Weight
• Fastest Design
• Futuristic
• Most Creative Car
• Coolest Design
• Wildest Looking Car
• Best Animal Car
• Best Snack Car
• Most Unusual Car
• Shiniest Car

Open Class:

This class is for everyone interested (scouts, parents, leaders, siblings, etc.). Scouts may also enter a car in the Open class if they enter a car in their respective “rank” class.

• The above rules apply with the following exceptions for the open class:
  • Wheels and Axels – Official BSA wheels may be altered or replaced with any style wheel and axel.
  • Weight may be moveable (NOT mercury).
  • “Quickstart/Faststart/Headstart” body style is allowed in the open class (i.e., part of the car can be in front of the start line.)