Pinewood Derby 2026

Get Your Car Kit

You can get your pinewood derby car kit from your den leader.  Each kit contains a block of wood, axles (nails), wheels, and basic instructions.  You will need to supply any desired paint, decorations, and tools used to construct the car.

Review the Rules

There are strict rules that need to be followed in the design and construction of the car.  Please review the following documents to fully understand the requirements.

• Pack 508 pinewood derby presentation

• Polaris district pinewood derby rules

Here is a short list of some of the most important requirements.

• Max weight: 5.00 oz / 141.75 g

• Max dimensions: 7" L x 2.75" W x 3" H

• Min clearance under car: 3/8"

• All four wheels must contact the track and spin freely when rolled.

Design and Build

Time to come up with a creative design and build your vision!  Although the pinewood derby is a speed race, there are a ton of design award categories as well (fastest looking, most realistic looking, best paint job, best car that is not a car, and best Scout themed car).

Need some help with the woodworking part of the build process?  The Landau family has graciously offered to host a car building workshop, where you can cut your wood block and shape it.  The workshop is on Sunday 1/11 from 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM, and you must sign up for a slot at the link below if you'd like to attend.  Please come prepared with a design already drawn on your wood block, as there will only be a limited amount of time to work on your car.

Sign up for the workshop at the link below.

Sign up link

Car Check-In

There is a mandatory car inspection and check-in a few days before the race.  This ensures that all cars meet the race requirements, and that the race day goes smoothly.  Once cars are checked in, they will be kept by the pack until race day, and can no longer be modified.

Two options: Tuesday 1/20/26 or Wednesday 1/21/26, both 6:00-8:00pm.

Please bring the car, and any tools (in case the car needs adjustments to pass inspection).  Make sure all paint & decorations on the car are dry!

Please sign up for an inspection slot at the link below.

Sign up link

Outlaw Race

We will have an additional Outlaw Race after the main race competition has ended.  Cars in this class do not need to meet the strict requirements listed above.  Cars can be as heavy as you want, and may be powered!  There are only a few guidelines:

• Nothing flammable.

• Cars must be able to safely travel down the track without causing damage.

• Cars must be self-contained (no launching devices that remain at the starting line).

• Cars must not intentionally interfere with neighboring cars.

Who is eligible to enter the outlaw race?  ANYONE in Pack 508 may enter a car (including Scouts, parents, and siblings).  There is no need to check-in your car ahead of time, just bring it on race day!

Let's Race!

The big race is on Saturday 1/24/26 at 9:30 AM in Richards Hall.  Please come dressed in your class A uniform and bring plenty of Scout spirit!  Family members are welcome to attend and watch the race as well.

The Results Are In!

Here are the results of the big race!  Congratulations to all of the winners, and to everyone who participated and brought their Scout spirit to the event!

• Overall Race Results

• Individual Car Statistics

Here's the winner list for both the speed competition and the design awards.

• Fastest car

  • 1st - Silver Webelo, by Colin K. - 3.0139 seconds

  • 2nd - Strike, by Ethan L. - 3.0190 seconds

  • 3rd - Rocket Racer X, by Rocco C. - 3.0493 seconds
    
    

• Turtle race

  • 1st - Mach 10, by Vihaan R.

  • 2nd - Pizza, by Tyler W.

  • 3rd -Mono E-Racer, by Ramachandra V.
    
    

• Fastest looking

  • 1st - Strike, by Ethan L.

  • 2nd - Lightning Derby, by Reza V.

  • 3rd - The Blazing Meteor, by Sashva D.
    
    

• Most realistic looking

  • 1st - Eugene's Cybertruck, by Eugene M.

  • 2nd - Katch Up, by Ryan C.

  • 3rd - Six Seven, by Roman P.
    
    

• Best paint job

  • 1st - Glitter Bomb, by Lincoln C.

  • 2nd - The Bounce Car, by Jonah F.

  • 3rd - The Laser, by Harrison C.
    
    

• Scout spirit

  • 1st - Silver Webelo, by Colin K.

  • 2nd - Mach 10, by Vihaan R.

  • 3rd - TORPEDO, by Sebi U.
    
    

• Car that is not a car

  • 1st - Mono E-Racer, by Ramachandra V.

  • 2nd - Carception, by Vilgot E.

  • 3rd -Pizza, by Tyler W.

Questions?

If you have any questions about this event, please contact the Cubmaster.