Pack 214 Pinewood Derby

This is “Race Central” for Pack 214’s Pinewood Derby — one of the most popular Pack events of the year. Not yet a Pack 214 family? Spectators are always welcome — come see what the excitement is about!

Event Details

When: February 27, 2027
Where: Eagle’s Nest @ MUMC

See the full Race Day Schedule below for inspection, registration, and race start times.

Race Day Schedule

10:00 AM – 12:00 PM — Inspection / Registration

Cars will be checked for weight, length, width, clearance, BSA wheels and axles, and adherence to Council rules. This takes approximately 15 minutes. Don’t wait until the last moment — if there’s a problem, you’ll need to fix it and re-check in before 12:00 PM.
If your car passes inspection, you can either hang out until race time or return later.
Stickers will be applied to cars once they pass inspection.
Cars will be impounded in a holding area until race time.

1:00 PM — Races Begin!

From this point forward, cars are handled only by the Pit Crew running the race.
All results will be displayed to the crowd. Cheering is encouraged; however, good sportsmanship is mandatory!
Lane assignments are rotated, and each car will race in all four lanes against the same opponents.
Scouts in each Rank compete against one another for the fastest average time across 4 heats.
The top two finishers per Rank advance to the Finals.

Cub Scout Pack 214 Pinewood Derby Official Rules

Qualifications to Race

All registered Pack 214 Tiger, Wolf, Bear, Webelos, and Arrow of Light Scouts, along with scout siblings, parents, or grandparents, are eligible to participate.

Materials

All scouts will receive the “Official Grand Prix Pinewood Derby Kit,” distributed by the Pack Committee.
Cars for siblings and relatives can be purchased for $5 from the Pack Committee ([email protected]).

Race Categories

Rank Class — Scouts first race against their Rank. The first- and second-place cars in each Rank are eligible to move on to the Finals. Winners receive a trophy.
Open Class — A race open to siblings and other relatives, held after the Rank Class races. Winners receive a trophy or ribbon; they do not move on to the Finals.
Outlaw Class — A race open to adults, held after the Rank Class races. Winners receive a trophy or ribbon; they do not move on to the Finals.

Attendance

The Cub Scout must enter their own car — meaning the Cub Scout must be present at Inspection and Registration to enter their car into the Pinewood Derby.

New Work

Construction of all entries in the Rank Class and Open Class must have begun after the prior year’s Pinewood Derby.

Single Entry per Person

Only one car may be registered by any person in the Pinewood Derby.

Inspection/Registration

Each car must pass a technical inspection before it may compete. Car Design Standards are outlined below. Technical inspection and registration occur between 10:00 AM and 12:00 PM on Race Day.
A car cannot be registered after 12:00 PM. No exceptions.

Failure to Pass Inspection — If a car does not pass inspection, the owner will be informed of the reason. Cars that fail the initial inspection may be modified and re-inspected up until the 12:00 PM deadline.

Impound

No car may be altered in any way after it has been registered. After a car passes registration, it will be stored in the Staging Area by the Pinewood Derby Race Committee until the start of racing.

Car Design Standards

Important note: these Car Design Standards apply to the Rank Class and Open Class races only, not to the Outlaw Class.

Pinewood Derby Kit: Each entry shall be constructed from an Official BSA Derby Car Kit for the current year. A new car must be constructed each year.
Car Overall Dimensions: Each entry will be placed into a checking device. Overall length shall not exceed 7 inches including accessories. Overall width with axles/wheels installed shall not exceed 2 3/4 inches. The car must have a minimum of 1 3/4 inches of clearance between the wheels, and a minimum of 3/8 inch clearance underneath the entire body so it does not rub on the track.
Car Weight: Maximum weight shall not exceed 5.0 ounces (141.748 grams). This is a strict limit with no “close enough” exceptions — the scale must read a maximum of 5.0 ounces. Given variability between scales, weighing exactly 5 ounces on a different scale may result in an over-weight reading at inspection, requiring weight to be removed or added. If adding weight at check-in, make sure it’s secured appropriately and doesn’t violate car specifications.
Car Body: The wood block provided with the kit must be used and may be shaped any way desired. Note the track uses a launching mechanism that holds the car in pre-launch position at the center of the front of the car — no part of the front may extend past the starting pin, and the full 7 inches of car must be behind the starting pin.
Car Wheels/Axles: All four wheels/axles supplied in the box must be used and attached to the sides of the car, two front and two back. Original shape must be maintained — wheels may not be cut, machined, lathed, drilled, beveled, or rounded, though seams and imperfections may be removed. Tool marks and imperfections may be removed from axles, and axles may be polished and lubricated with dry lubricant.
Car Wheel Position: Racers can adjust fore/aft axle placement as long as wheels don’t protrude past the front/back of the car body. Pre-cut axle slots don’t have to be used — if custom slots/holes are created, the 3/8 inch clearance specification must still be maintained. Not all 4 wheels need to touch the track, but the bottom clearance specification must be maintained.
Extraneous Car Parts: Cars shall not have any loose or moving parts.
Outlaw Class: Cars are limited to 2 pounds or less and may not employ any extra system of propulsion.