Pinewood Derby

Pack 47 Pinewood Derby March 9th, 2024

Doors open at 9am. Racing begins at 10.

What is the Pinewood Derby?

Below are a couple of sites for car templates. Google and Pintrest are also great resources. 

http://templatelab.com/pinewood-derby/

https://www.template.net/design-templates/print/pinewood-derby-template/

https://www.derbymonkeygarage.com/free-pinewood-derby-templates-s/1869.htm

Google and Pintrest are also loaded with information.

Be sure to visit the scout shop, they have a wide array of decals, lights, sirens and accessories for your pinewood derby car. 

Tips & Tricks to build a fast car

Pack 47 Pinewood Derby Rules 

Click Here for a printable copy of the Pack 47 Pinewood Derby Rules.

Not all Pinewood Derby Rules are the same, so please read all the rules. NEVER assume anything.

The cars must be present at the start of racing. Once racing starts, additional cars cannot be entered.

• Cars must have been constructed during the current scout year. (No re-using old cars)
• Car width shall not exceed 2 ¾”.
• Car length shall not exceed 7″.
• Car weight shall not exceed 5 oz.
• Car width between wheels must be at least 1 ¾”
• Use of axle slots is NOT a requirement. There is no minimum distance requirement between axles.
• Car bottom clearance between car and track surface must be at least 3/8”.
• Recess the weights on the bottom of the car.
• Don’t use axle guards because they may violate the 3/8” clearance under the car rule.
• Car is required to have at least 4 wheels. Car may ride on 3 wheels. One wheel is allowed not to touch.
• Only powdered graphite is permitted.
• NO wet lubricant is permitted.
• After the car goes to the Pit area, NO more graphite can be added to any car at any time. No adding graphite between races.
• Must use BSA wheels, BSA axles, and BSA car body.
• The wheel’s tread area must remain flat (parallel) to the wheels hub and cannot be altered, but light sanding is permitted.
• All parts and weights must be secured to car. Any weight that falls off the car during the race stays off for the duration of the race.
• No liquid mercury.
• Wheel bearings, washers and bushings are prohibited.
• Washers may be used as weight as long as they do not touch the wheel.
• The car shall not ride on springs.
• No wheel covers or hubcaps.
• Details, such as steering wheel and driver are permissible as long as these details do not exceed the maximum length, width, height, and weight specifications.
• The car must be free wheeling, with no starting devices, magnets, slip weights, or adhesives.
• All parts of the car must rest behind the gate side of the starting post. The front part of the car which will rest on the starting post must be at least ¼” wide and not pointed.
• Each car must pass inspection by the Official Inspection Committee before it may compete.
• If, at check-in, a car does not pass inspection, the owner will be informed of the reason for failure, and will be given time within the official check-in time period to make the adjustment.
• A car is NOT declared as passing any part of the inspection until it has passed all of the inspected areas at one time.
• It is the responsibility of the racer to make sure their car is facing the proper direction on the track at the starting line and that their car is placed on the proper lane.
• Any problem must be immediately addressed before that race begins.
• The finishing order determined by the finish line will stand as the official results.
• If a car jumps the track and interferes with the other cars, then the heat will be rerun.
• Cars that don’t pass inspection may be allowed to race, but they will not be eligible for prizes.

What is the Pinewood Derby?

Basically, the Pinewood Derby is a type of racing event performed by cub scouts. The scouts have to build their own wooden cars with the help of their parents. They can build their car from scratch while using a template as a guide.

They can also use complete kits which already contain all the materials needed for the car. As the years went by, the fun even became more and more popular.

Because of this popularity, other groups and organizations have started too. They’ve come up with events similar to the Pinewood Derby. Nowadays, there are industries which provide timers, scales, tracks, trophies, and much more.

They’re available to the public in order to support the event. Cub Scouts have other events similar to the Pinewood Derby. These include the Space Derby, the Raingutter Regatta, and more.

In May of 1953, the Scout House hosted the very first Pinewood Derby. The Cub Scout Pack in Manhattan Beach, California first held the fun event. The pack’s Cubmaster, Don Murphy, created the concept of the Pinewood Derby.

At that time, his son was too young to enter Derby races so he thought of the idea. The cars used for such races are small and easy to build, unlike regular Soap Box Derby cars.

Since the first time it came out, the Pinewood Derby was very well-received. Murphy and the sponsors sent out flyers to those who requested information about it. Because of this, information about the event spread like wildfire.

So, scouting groups held competitions of their own all across the country. Among all the groups though, only the Boy Scouts of America made the derby part of their official program. In May of 2005, they registered the event as an official trademark.