Welcome to the Pinewood Derby!
Welcome to the Pinewood Derby!
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The Pinewood Derby is an opportunity for scouts to develop and practice many skills including engineering & physics, artistic expression, project planning, construction, teamwork, and sportsmanship. And, of course, it is also a lot of fun!
The Pack 548 Pinewood Derby is one of the biggest events of the year for our pack. Scouts and their families come together for a day of racing, food, and fun.
Pinewood Derby car kits are normally handed out int December to registered scouts. Scouts and their parents/guardians work on their cars till the race in late February or early March.
Often times a member or friend of the Pack will open up garage space for scouts to come design, build, and finish their cars.
Just prior to the race, Scouts submit their cars for inspection and acceptance.
The race is conducted a couple days later.
Important Dates for the 2025 Derby:
Important Dates for the 2025 Derby:
December 2024: Car kits handed out
January through February: The Garage is Open for design, construction, and decoration. A signup will be emailed to the Pack for Scouts to sign up to come work on their cars.
Friday, February 21, 2025, 5pm - 8pm: Weigh-in - Scouts bring their completed cars to the conference room at Willowfork Fire Station #2 (26950 Cinco Ranch Blvd), to be weighed and measured and accepted to race. Once cars are accepted, no further modifications are allowed and the cars will be left at the fire station until Race Day
Sunday, February 23, 2024, 12pm - 3pm: Race Day - Food, Fun, and Racing! Each car will get to race at least three times. Trophies and awards will be presented to race winners and for a variety of design categories.
Volunteers Needed!
Volunteers Needed!
Adult volunteers will be needed on both Weigh-in and, especially, Race Day. Check your email for the sign-up links to help out. We need help setting up, conducting the race, cooking & serving food, and cleaning up!
Official Rules
Official Rules
Car Specifications
Car Specifications
The maximum overall width (including wheels and axels shall not exceed 2 ¾ inches.
The minimum width between the wheels shall be 1 ¾ inches so the car will clear the center guide strip on the track.
The minimum clearance between the bottom of the car and the track surface shall be ¾ inch so the car will clear the center guide strip on the track.
The maximum overall length shall not exceed 7 inches.
Weight shall not exceed 5 ounces. The reading of the official scale will be considered final. The car may be hollowed out and built up to the maximum weight by using additional materials (e.g. wood or metal), provided the material is securely built into the body or firmly affixed to it. No liquids or loose materials of any kind are permitted in or on the car.
Details such as steering wheel, driver, spoiler, decals, painting, and interior details are permissible as long as these details to not exceed the maximum length, width, or weight specifications.
Cars with wet paint will not be accepted.
Axles and wheels shall be only as provided in the official Grand Prix Pinewood Derby Kit.
Wheel bearings, washers, bushings, and hub caps are prohibited.
The car shall not ride on any type of springs.
The car must be free-wheeling, with no starting device or other type of propulsion.
Only dry lubricants (graphite or powdered Teflon) will be allowed for lubricating the wheels.
All lubrication must be done prior to checking in the car. No lubrication will be permitted on race day.
Ground Rules and Competition
Ground Rules and Competition
The race is open to all Cub Scouts registered in Pack 548, and their siblings (Cubby Buddies).
Each participant may enter only one car in the competition.
The car must have been built during the current year (the school year in which the Derby is held. Cars that have competed in a previous Derby are not permitted.
Every car will race at least three times.
If a car becomes damaged and can be repaired in a reasonable amount of time (not more than 5 minutes), the race will be run again. If not, the damaged car will automatically lose that race.
Only race officials can handle the cars once cars have been entered and accepted into the race.
Only race officials and scouts participating in the current race may enter the track area.
Inspection and Registration
Inspection and Registration
Each car must pass a technical inspection before it may compete. Technical inspection and registration of cars is normally conducted the Friday prior to the race.
Once accepted to race, cars will be surrendered to the race committee until the race.
The inspection committee shall disqualify cars which do not meet these rules. If a car does not pass inspection, the owner will be informed of the reason and will be allowed to make any last-minute adjustments up until the end of the weigh-in period.
To enter the race, cars must have passed inspection and be registered by the final inspection deadline.
No cars may be altered in any way after they have been registered. Damage repair shall be allowed during the derby only if it does not delay the race, but no modifications/lubrication shall be allowed.
After passing inspection, no car shall be reinspected unless repaired after damage in handling or in a race.
Unsportsmanlike conduct by any participant or spectator will be grounds for expulsion from the competition and/or the race area.
Trophies & Awards
Trophies & Awards
Trophies for Race Rankings:
1st, 2nd, & 3rd Place within each Rank (Lions, Tigers, Wolves, Bears, Webelos, Cubby Buddies)
1st, 2nd, & 3rd Place Overall
Cars will also be judged and eligible for the following design awards:
Best Cub Scout Themed Car
Best Patriotic Themed Car
Best Race Car Themed Car
Best Truck, Bus, or Train Themed Car
Best Animal Themed Car
Best Military Themed Car
Best Cartoon Character Themed Car
Best Sports Themed Car
Best Funny or Comical Themed Car
Best Food Themed Car
Most Original Car
Best of Show
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