About Pinewood Derby Cars

The Pinewood Derby is a racing event for Cub Scouts in which boys and their dads work together to build a miniature race car out of a block of pine. The race is often the highlight of the scouting year, with fierce competition between dads about who can help make the best car.
Rules state that the cars should be "boy made," with as little help as possible from the dads. Some Cub Scout packs invite siblings, sisters and leaders to make their own cars to bring to the race.

History

Cubmaster Don Murphy invented the pinewood derby in 1953 as an activity for his scouts who were too young for soap box racing. The Management Club at North American Aviation, where he worked, sponsored kids to race in popular soap box derbies. Murphy asked his club to sponsor a miniature car race, which they did. Another dad built the first 31-foot race track, using light bulbs and parts from doorbells for the finish light. The derby was an instant hit and quickly spread to other packs and councils across the nation.

Size

Pinewood Derby cars must fit to exact standards. All cars must be less than 5 oz. and cannot exceed 2 3/4 inches wide and 7 inches long. They should be carved from the block of pine given in the kit. Cars should only use the standard parts that come in the kit. Many packs will disqualify a car that uses outside parts.

Types

There are many types of Pinewood Derby cars. As long as the car was made from the original block of wood, uses the original parts, meets other requirements and fits on the track, anything goes! Some cars are carved down to flying wedges; some cars are made to look like exact replicas of real cars. Cars can also be carved to look like other things: pool tables, cell phones, fruit, space ships, boats, pencils or fish. If a boy can dream it up, it can be raced.

Considerations

Always check with your pack or other sponsoring organization on the rules of the race. A violation of the rules could get the car disqualified.
There are many legal tricks that can be done on a Pinewood Derby car to make it race faster. Graphite lube, lifting the fourth wheel off the track to reduce friction, sanding and polishing the axles by hand and careful placement of the weight are legal in most packs.
The most important thing to check on a Pinewood Derby car is that it weighs a full 5 oz. and runs smoothly. A car that wastes energy wobbling down the track will not win.

Potential

Pinewood Derby races have expanded from the Cub Scouts to other youth organizations. The Boy Scouts of America have the original Pinewood Derby, the Christian Service Brigade has a Shape N Race Derby, and Scouts Canada has a Kub Kar Rally. Indian Princesses and Indian Guides of the YMCA do a Pine Block Derby. The Royal Rangers also call theirs a Pinewood Derby. Pioneer and Awana Clubs both call theirs a Pine Car Derby. The Girls Scouts of America have a Powder Puff Derby.

Expert Insight

Ask experienced members of your group for pointers on how to make your first Pinewood Derby car. There are many websites and even books to help you along the way. Extra kits can be purchased from the Boy Scout shop or online catalog if you lose your parts. Double-check your organization's rules before purchasing parts from a hobby shop. Decals, weights and cockpits are a safe bet.

Resources

• Interview with Don Murphy
• The Boy Scout Pinewood Derby Kit
• The Rules