2012 Pinewood Derby

A great turnout was on hand for the 2012 Pinewood Derby races for Pack 380. With family and friends on hand, all the scouts were able to show off the results their hours of shaping, sanding, polishing, painting and fine-tuning of their pinewood derby cars.

There were cars of all shapes and sizes. Some had to undergo last-minute adjustments to qualify for the races. In the end, Ryan's pick-up truck with what looked like a rocket engine took first place, second place went to another Wolf Cub Owen and his Formula 1 race car, and third place to Webelo David and his green machine.

The "coolest design" award based on a vote of his peers, the scouts, Tiger Cub Zachary won with his Humvee design. The "Turtle Race" was won by Tiger Cub Richard in a squeaker over Bear Cub Kevin.

We had one special award called the "Spirit of Scouting," with its own trophy made by Cubmaster Llata. This award went to Wolf Cub Erik who ran home on the night of the weigh-in to make changes to the car so that it would fit on the tracks, not giving up and making it back just in time to qualify his car for the races. A special nod also should go out to Antonio and his shark as they too had to make adjustments at the weigh-in to reduce weight.

The night also included Unit Commissioner Bernie Zurlo awarding Pack 380 with its rechartering.

Special thanks go to Cubmaster Chris and Den Leader James for helping all the scouts that they did with their cars. Also, the same thanks go out to all of the families who worked on their cars with their boys. Thanks to the pit crew also that included Tracy and Kimm as the official starters, Girl Scouts Naomi and Bonnie as the car retrievers and Scout David as the computer operator for the first time. Thanks to Alicia for the yummy snacks and picking up the pizza! And finally let's not forget Gene Dodge of Troop 364 who lent us the track for this year's race.

This year's race over so time to start planning for next year. We're thinking about have an open class race open to all non-scouts too!

Pinewood Derby Car Races Tonight!

We have our race tonight!

The event starts at 6pm at the Multi-Use Room at Woodside Elementary.  We have an evening of fun planned for the scouts.  We have 18 cars checked in for racing.

Pinewood Derby Car Races - 2012

Pack 380 Pinewood Derby

Friday, March 9, 2012

6pm-9pm in Woodside MUR

Only one car per scout may be registered in the Pinewood Derby.

Each car must pass inspection by the official inspection committee before it will be allowed to compete. Upon weigh-in the cars will be numbered and held by the pinewood derby committee until the official race.  Once a car passes inspection and is entered into the race, only race committee members are allowed to touch it.

Inspection will take place at the Pinewood Derby Weigh-In on Thursday, March 8, 2012 in the Woodside classroom anytime between 6pm-8pm

Here are the inspection points:

1. The car weight shall not exceed 5.0 ounces. The official race scale shall be considered final.


2. The overall length of the car shall not exceed 7 inches.


3. The overall width of the car shall not exceed 2 ¾ inches.


4. The car must have 1 ¾” clearance between the wheels.


5. The car must have 3/8” clearance underneath the body so it does not rub on the track.


6. The wood provided in the kit must be used. The block may be shaped any way that is desired.


7. The wheels may not be cut, drilled, beveled or rounded. You may remove the seams and imperfections from the wheels.
 The wheels supplied with the kit may be replaced with BSA official wheels.

8. The axles may be polished. The axles supplied with the kit may be replaced with BSA official axles.

9. Only dry lubricants such as graphite or powdered teflon "white lube" will be allowed for lubricating the wheels.

10. Wheel bearings, washers or bushings are prohibited.


11. The car must not ride on any type of springs.


12. The car must be freewheeling, with no starting devices.


13. No loose material of any kind may be used.

14. Details such as the steering wheel, driver, decals, painting, and interior detail are permissible as long as these details do not exceed the maximum length, width, and weight specifications.

At the Pinewood Derby…

• If a car leaves its lane, at his sole discretion, the track chairman may inspect the track and, if a track fault is found which probably caused the initial violation, the track chairman may order the race to be rerun after the track is repaired.
• If, during a race, no car reaches the finish line on the track, the car which went the farthest in its lane shall be declared as the heat winner. 

1. Top three fastest cars will win a trophy.
2. Best looking car, as determined by a vote, will win a trophy.
3. The slowest car that passes the finish line will win a trophy will win the "Turtle race" trophy.

We are offering pre-orders for Pizza and Sodas through Thursday, March 8, at the weigh-in of the cars.  Den leaders will be providing order forms that can be turned in.

Also, see this link to see all the fun that we had last year's Pack 380 races: 2011 Pinewood Derby