🏎️PINEWOOD DERBY🏆
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Don't forget to order your Class B T-Shirt and purchase tickets for events at the Pack Store!
The annual Pinewood Derby is a highly anticipated event in Cub Scouts that combines hands-on engineering, creative design, and thrilling competition!
The annual Pinewood Derby is a highly anticipated event in Cub Scouts that combines hands-on engineering, creative design, and thrilling competition!
This is the ultimate Scouting highlight where Scouts design, carve, paint, and fine-tune their own wooden race cars. The Pinewood Derby is an exciting opportunity for Scouts to:
Apply their knowledge of gravity and aerodynamics.
Develop craftsmanship and use tools safely (with adult supervision!).
Work as a team with their families on a fun project.
Experience the thrill of seeing their unique creation zoom down the track in a friendly, high-energy race!
It's more than just a race; it's a memorable lesson in sportsmanship and perseverance that concludes with a checkered flag and lots of cheering! If you have never seen or participated in a Pinewood Derby, you are in for an awesome time!
PINEWOOD DERBY INFORMATION
PINEWOOD DERBY INFORMATION
Check-In:
Check-In:
🗓️ Friday, February 13th, 2026 at
🗓️ Friday, February 13th, 2026 at
⏰ 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Race Day
Race Day
🗓️ Sunday, February 15th, 2026
🗓️ Sunday, February 15th, 2026
⏰ 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
📍 Meredith Academic Center
PRIOR TO THE RACE
Consider attending one of the Council Pinewood Derby Workshops on January 3rd or January 10th for assistance with cutting your Pinewood Derby Car.
If you would like to attend our Pack's Pinewood Derby Workshop on January 18th for assistance with cutting your Pinewood Derby Car,
Be sure to follow all of the Pack 107 Rules and Regulations!
1. DESIGN and SHAPE your Pinewood Derby Car
1. DESIGN and SHAPE your Pinewood Derby Car
First, design and plan your car. Sketch out the shape you want and carefully mark where the axles will be placed. You must stick to the official rules for length, width, and ground clearance.
Next, cut the wood. Under adult supervision, use a saw to cut the wooden block into your desired, aerodynamic shape. Make sure your cuts are smooth and precise for better performance.
Attend one of the Pinewood Derby Workshops for assistance with cutting your Pinewood Derby Car: January 3rd, January 10th, or January 18th.
2. ENHANCE your Pinewood Derby Car to maximize SPEED
2. ENHANCE your Pinewood Derby Car to maximize SPEED
Pro TIP: Weight Placement
Pro TIP: Weight Placement
This is where the speed comes from! The goal is to hit the maximum legal weight (5.0 oz) and shift the Center of Gravity (COG) rearward.
Strategic Weighting: Drill holes, typically on the underside or rear, and insert weights (like lead or tungsten).
Rearward COG: Place the majority of the weight (about 70-80%) toward the back of the car, roughly one inch in front of the rear axle. This placement maximizes momentum as the car rolls down the track.
Final Check: Use a precise scale to ensure you are exactly at the maximum legal weight before race day.
Pro TIP: Reduce Friction
Pro TIP: Reduce Friction
Friction is the enemy of speed! Focus on making the wheels and axles as smooth as possible.
Axle Preparation: Polish the axles until they are mirror-smooth using fine-grit sandpaper or a file. Any roughness slows the car down.
Wheel Preparation: Ensure the wheels spin freely on the axles with minimal contact against the car body or the axle heads.
Lubrication: This is critical! Apply a generous amount of powdered graphite to the axles and inside the wheel hubs. Do NOT use any liquid lubricants. Graphite drastically reduces rolling resistance.
3. PERSONALIZE your Pinewood Derby Car
3. PERSONALIZE your Pinewood Derby Car
Lastly, make your car look great and ensure it runs true!
Sanding and Finishing: Sand the entire car from coarse to ultra-fine grit to ensure a smooth finish that reduces drag. Then, apply primer, paint, and decals to personalize your racer.
Final Assembly: Carefully insert the prepared axles into their slots, making sure they are perfectly straight. Check that all four wheels touch the track evenly and roll smoothly to prevent scraping or wobbling.
Lastly, bring your assembled car to the Pinewood Derby Check-In to register for Race Day!
CHECK-IN INFORMATION:
CHECK-IN INFORMATION:
🗓️ Friday, February 13th, 2026 at
🗓️ Friday, February 13th, 2026 at
⏰ 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
The Check-In event is mandatory. You do not have to be there the entire time. The check-in process takes about 15 minutes and you can come anytime.
Come to the main entrance door (not the one we typically use for pack meetings)
Your car will be checked for length, width, track clearance, wheel modifications and weight. Consult the included rules and spec guide. Please be wary of attaching weights to the underside of your car, these often do not clear the track.
If your car is out of spec any adjustments must be completed before the end of check-in.
Provide a name for your car (REQUIRED)
You and your car will be photographed for your driver's license, so please try to wear your Class A uniform.
After your Scouts car has passed inspection it will be impounded until Race Day. Only cars that have been inspected and checked in will be eligible to race on Race Day.
RACE DAY!
On the day of the race, scouts and their families gather at the Kaneland Meredith Academic Center to watch their cars fly down the track and compete for the speed and design awards. Since we have so many Scouts participating, we have decided to break the day up by racing class. You are welcome to stay the entire time, but if you have other commitments or would like to leave after your Scout is done racing, that is also an option. Each 30-minute block is self-contained with a class introduction, the racing, and the presentation of speed awards for that class.
Race Day Agenda:
Race Day Agenda:
1:00 pm - Lions
1:30 pm - Tigers
2:00 pm - Wolves
2:30 pm - Bears
3:00 pm - Webelos
3:30 pm - AOLs
4:00 pm - Parents/Siblings
4:30 pm - Outlaws
While they are not racing, they can:
Assemble a car stand for them to display their Pinewood Derby Car
Race Lego Cars and Pinewood Derby Cars that have finished racing on a separate track
Enjoy Refreshments: Hot Dogs, Chips, and Drinks will be available for purchase during the event (cash or card)
AWARDS!
There will be 3 speed trophies given to each class (den level) of racer. There will also be an overall "Fastest in the Pack" trophy
There will also be the following design trophies that will be judged by leaders and adult members of the community. These trophies will be presented at the Blue and Gold banquet.
Best of Show Scout - Best overall designed Scout car
Best of Show Parent/Sibling - Best overall designed Parent/Sibling car
Best Movie/TV Car - Car that most looks like a car or character from a movie or TV show
Best Paint Job - Car sporting the best paint job
Funniest Car - Car that looks the funniest
Best Car Driver - Car that has the best driver (LEGO mini, action figure, etc)
Best Non-Car - Car that is the best non-car (rocket, soccer field, pencil, etc)
Best Scouting Car - Car that best represents Scouting (symbols, camping, etc)
Best Real Car - Car the most resembles a real car
Judges Choice
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How do I get a Pinewood Derby Kit?
How do I get a Pinewood Derby Kit?
Free Kit: All registered Scouts receive one free Pinewood Derby Car Kit to enter the main race. These have been handed out a Pack Meetings and Den Meetings. Contact your Den Leader or Cubmaster Joshua Stark if you have not received your kit.
Additional Kits: If you'd like additional kits for family members to enter the Parent/Sibling race, or to build an Outlaw car, they are available for purchase in person ($7.00 cash) or on our Pack Store for $7.50.
Can I change the wheelbase of the car (AKA Can I change the space between the axles?)
Can I change the wheelbase of the car (AKA Can I change the space between the axles?)
No. Per the Pack 107 rules, the distance between the wheels, both front to back and side to side, must adhere to the spec sheet.
The axle wont fit in the wheel I have. What should I do?
The axle wont fit in the wheel I have. What should I do?
There is a known issue with wheels from Mold 6 (you can identify this from examining the inside of the wheel). If you would like to swap out any of those wheels, the Pack will be getting some replacements. Please let your Den leader or the Cubmaster know how many you need.
My Scout and I do not have the tools or experience needed to shape a Pinewood Derby car. What can we do if we still want to enter a car?
My Scout and I do not have the tools or experience needed to shape a Pinewood Derby car. What can we do if we still want to enter a car?
As noted above, both the Pack and the Council will be hosting Pinewood Derby "Build" days. These are FREE events that you can attend that will have all the tools and experienced volunteers needed to help your Scout go from a blank block of wood to a fully functional Pinewood Derby car. All you need to come with is your kit and an idea.
What should the Scouts wear?
What should the Scouts wear?
As this event is one of our biggest and most photographed events, we would like all the Scouts to wear their Class A uniforms, if possible. Please also have your scout wear their Class A uniform to the Check-In night for their headshot photo.
How do we know if a "technique" our Scout wants to apply to their car is "legal"
How do we know if a "technique" our Scout wants to apply to their car is "legal"
As stated in the 2026 Pack 107 Rules listed above, the rules contained in that document supersede all other rules that you may have seen. If your Scout is doing something that is questionable it is better to reach out to "elburncubscouts@gmail.com" to ask for clarification before check-in. We do not want to have to disqualify a car because of a rules violation.
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