The Pinewood Derby is a time-honored tradition in Cub Scout packs across the country. Before this event, each boy builds a model car from a kit. On the night of the derby, the pack races their cars down a sloped track, with prizes awarded for the fastest cars and the best designs. If you’ve been invited to participate in this competition, here’s what you should know.

History

The Pinewood Derby was founded in 1953 by Cubmaster Don Murphy of Manhattan Beach, CA. It spread quickly through the Los Angeles area and was publicized in Scout Life—formerly Boys' Life—magazine in 1954. Many packs soon adopted the tradition, and they continue it to this day.

Rules

The rules for each event are specific to your pack, so check in with the local Cubmaster. In general, scouts use a kit that comes with a standard-sized block of wood, four small axle nails, and four plastic wheels to design their model car. 

Since the cars rely on gravity to propel them forward, heavier cars are faster; your pack will set a weight limit, which is usually about 5 ounces. You’ll also need to follow the provided instructions about wheel spacing and height since most tracks have grooves at a set width to keep the cars moving in a straight line.

Construction Tips

It’s advantageous to get as close to the weight limit as possible. Use a kitchen scale or another sensitive device to gauge the ounces. Scales can vary, so you need a way to add or remove weight at the weigh-in; small fishing weights, coins, or specially designed derby weights can help with adjustments. 

The farther back the car’s center of gravity is, the higher up the weight will be on the slope when your model car is at the starting line. This will give it more of a push. However, centering the weight at or behind the axle may tilt the car backward, making the front wheels lift off the track. Center the weight in front of the rear wheels to avoid this.

Friction also plays a role. Wheels that rub against the wood of the car will slow it down, but they will be inefficient if they rattle around loosely. Once you have the axles nailed into the car, bend them so they tilt up slightly; this pushes the wheels toward the nailhead at the end of the axle, which is smoother than the wood and provides less friction. Polish this piece to smooth it out and use graphite for lubrication to minimize resistance.

For supplies to build a model car for the derby, visit Hamilton Hobbies. This family-owned and -operated hobby shop offers a full range of trusted model brands, including Axial®, Traxxas®, Kyosho®, Sig Manufacturing®, Thunder Tiger. They have been serving Hamilton, OH, hobbyists for almost 20 years. Their knowledgeable staff will help you find the right materials for your needs. Call (513) 892-1456 to get started, or visit them online to learn more.