Pinewood Derby

History of the Pinewood Derby

The first Cub Scouts to participate in a pinewood derby were from Cub Scout Pack 280c of Manhattan Beach, Calif. The event was originated by Cubmaster, Donald Murphy, and was run in the Manhattan Beach Clubhouse on May 15, 1953.

This event was later publicized in the October 1954 issue of Boys’ Life,with the magazine offering plans for the track and car (which featured four wheels, four nails, and three blocks of wood). Since then, an estimated 40 million fathers (mostly) and sons have participated in races. Millions more-parents, den leaders, Cubmasters, committee members-have been involved in various ways. The rules of the very first race stated:

The derby is run in heats-two to four cars starting by a standstill on a track and run down a ramp to a finish line unaided. The track is an inclined ramp with wood strips down the center to guide the cars. They still roll that way, 42 years later, accompanied by shouts of excitement and grins of delight.
What is a Pinewood Derby? A bunch of fun! At the end it is a Pack of Cub Scouts racing little wooden cars of various shapes and colors on little plastic wheels down a 32′ plywood track. But that is only a small part of it. Each Cub Scout gets a kit with a block of wood, four nails for axles, and four plastic wheels. Then, based on the rules, he shapes and paints his block or wood into a form to race down the track.

Details and Tips

The Track’s start line is approximately 5′ high, and the track slopes down to the floor and levels off for the final 16′ or so. Two judges are used for scoring the finish. Our Pack divides the Cub Scouts by rank, Tiger, Wolf, Bear, and Webelos, and awards a trophy to the top cars for each. In addition we may give a award for ‘Most Unusual’ and ‘Best Looking’ to give credit for creativity and effort. Each Scout will receives a participation award. The culmination of this event is a grand finale championship with the top 2 cars of each den racing each other to determine the 3 fastest cars in the Pack. There may also be an OLD GOATS division for the ADULTS only. The cars in this division will be STRICTLY for adult only manufactured cars!

Tips

  1. The boys and adult should make the car together as a project! It is not the intent that the parent show the Scout the garage door then walk away; nor is it the intent that the boy play video games while the adult cuts and sands. Parents should shape with the power tools and then direct the rest of the action while showing the boy each step in building a car.
  2. Have fun! After all, this is what it is all about.
  3. Know the rules. Being disqualified can be very embarrassing.
  4. Safety first. Let’s not lose any fingers.

Rules for Pack 850

  • Participation: Open to all Pack 850 Cub Scouts, Tiger Scouts, parents and leaders. You must be present to race!
  • Inspection: Cars will be inspected during registration for compliance to the specifications set forth below.
  • Impound: Cars will be impounded when registered. After being impounded, repairs will be limited to replacement of axles/wheels that are broken/lost during the race.
  • Specifications:
    • BODY: The body in the Official BSA Pinewood Derby Kit must be used. Bodies of other materials will be grounds for disqualification. The body may be shaped, hollowed out, or built up from the original block, as long as it meets all other specifications. Any additions to the original body, i.e. steering wheels, drivers, decals, paint, weights, etc., must be firmly attached.
    • WIDTH: The car width at the wheels may not be modified, it must be the same as the original kit. width must not exceed 2 3/4″.
    • LENGTH: Overall length may not exceed 7″.
    • WHEELBASE: Wheelbase may not be modified, it must be the same as the official kit.
    • WHEELS: Wheels and axles must be as furnished in the official kit. NO washers, bushings, bearings or springs are allowed. NO reductions in width or diameter, or changes in shape are allowed.
    • WEIGHT: The weight of the race-ready car must not exceed five (5) ounces as measured on the official scales.
    • OTHER: Cars must free-wheel with no stored energy or movable weights. There is no designated front or back to the supplied body, either end may be the front. Your CAR NUMBER must be displayed on the sides of the car. This number allows for unique numbers of cars when racing.
Racers will be divided into TIGER, WOLF, BEAR, and WEBELOS divisions. Racing will be on a DOUBLE ELIMINATION basis to determine the three finalists in each division. The three finalists will race to determine their finishing order. In addition, there may be a class for adults where leaders and parents can build their own cars and take on the Pack!

There may be judging for additional awards in the categories MOST UNIQUE and BEST LOOKING.

The OLD GOATS division will follow the same rules.

**** Scouting encourages good sportsmanship. ****

Cars will be disqualified if the Scout or his parents display unsportsmanlike conduct on the race site.

NO LUBRICANTS MAY BE USED ONCE THE CARS ARE REGISTERED!

If you have any other questions, email pack850@yahoo.com or info@pack-850.org or contact any leader.