🏎️ Pack Tradition

Pinewood Derby

The Pinewood Derby is a Cub Scout car race where scouts build a small wooden car and race it down a sloped track. It's one of the best-loved traditions in all of scouting — and a great project to build together as a family.

Car Specifications

Build to these limits

Every car is inspected before it can race for trophies. Stay within these maximums and you're good to go.

7"Max length
2¾"Max width
5 ozMax weight
1¾"Min wheel spacing
⅜"Min bottom clearance
The Details

Rules, timeline & awards

How the season runs

  • Kit distribution: Car kits are handed out at the February pack meeting (Cutting & Construction Day) or by den leaders at January and February meetings.
  • Cutting & Construction Day: Held at the February pack meeting — a chance to shape and build cars together.
  • Inspection & check-in: Cars are weighed and assigned numbers before racing begins.
  • Race day: Scouts wear their Class A field uniform.

Official rules

  • Use only the official Cub Scout Grand Prix wheels and axles from the provided kit.
  • The wood block may be shaped and decorated however you like.
  • Dry graphite lubricant only — no bearings, washers, or bushings.
  • Cars must be free-wheeling, with all four wheels riding on the track.
  • Every car must pass inspection before it can compete for trophies.

Trophy categories

Speed awards (scouts): Overall 1st (Grand Prix Champion), 2nd, and 3rd place, plus division winners for Lion/Tiger, Wolf/Bear, and Webelos/Arrow of Light. There's even an "MPG" award for the slowest car overall.

Judged award: Crowd Favorite for design — open to both scouts and siblings.

Building help

Looking for the car template or this year's exact dates? Check with your den leader or the Contact page.

🏁 New to the derby? Don't worry about winning — the fun is in building it together. Every scout who races gets to be part of the pack's favorite day of the year.