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Start Your Engines! Design, Build, and Race.
The Pinewood Derby is the highlight of the Cub Scout year! Scouts receive a simple block of wood and—with the help of their parents—turn it into a custom race car. It’s about creativity, engineering, and sportsmanship.
The Road to Race Day
The Road to Race Day
Step 1: Design & Build
Step 1: Design & Build
📅 Timeline: Throughout January
📍 Where: Den Meetings & Weekend Workshops
The Goal: Turn your block of wood into a car!
Den Meetings: Leaders will dedicate meeting time to planning designs and sanding.
Build Days: We are hosting specific weekend "Workshop Days" for families who need help cutting the wood. We provide the saws, safety gear, and expert guidance to help you make your cuts safely.
Step 2: Weigh-In & Car Show
Step 2: Weigh-In & Car Show
📅 Date: Thursday, January 29
📍 Location: Joy Carroll's home
3705 Cascades Dr, McKinney, TX 75070 (map)
⏰ Time: 4:00p - 8:00p
The Goal: Get "Race Ready" and vote on designs.
Weigh-In: We weigh every car to ensure it meets the size and weight requirements. We have a "Pit Crew" with drills and weights to help you make last-minute adjustments tonight!
Voting: Scouts vote for "Best Build" and "Most Creative" awards. (Voting happens only tonight!)
The Impound: Once your car is checked in, it stays with us. Leaders will safely transport all cars to the race track.
Step 3: The Big Race!
Step 3: The Big Race!
📅 Date: Saturday, January 31
📍 Location: St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church
8000 Eldorado Pkwy, Frisco, TX 75033 (map)
Room: Great Hall B
⏰ Time: 12:00p - 2:00p
👕 Uniform: Class A Uniform
The Goal: Speed!
Arrive: Please arrive 15 minutes before our start time. We are guests at a District event and have a strict racing window.
Race: Sit back and cheer! Your cars are already at the starting line.
Celebrate: We award trophies for Speed and the Design Awards voted on during Tuesday's meeting.
New to the Derby? Start Here.
New to the Derby? Start Here.
Step 1: Get Your Kit
Every Scout receives an official Pinewood Derby kit (block of wood, wheels, and axles) from the Pack at our December pack meeting. If you miss the handout, contact your Den Leader.
Step 2: Design & Build
Start with YouTube tutorials. Two great videos for beginners are by Mark Rober and Eng Workshop.
Get detailed instructions. Check out our step-by-step build guide in the resources section.
This is a partnership project! Parents handle the sharp tools (saws/drills), and Scouts handle the design, sanding, painting, and weights.
Need Tools? Come to our Pack build days throughout January. SciTech Discovery Center in Frisco also hosts workshops to shape, cut, and drill cars.
Step 3: Follow the Rules:
Iron Horse District Rules: We will be following our district's official rules to avoid having to modify cars before competing in district races.
Common "Gotchas":
⚠️ Weigh in Grams: To ensure accuracy, cars are weighed in grams, rather than ounces. The maximum weight is 141.7 grams (~5.0 ounces).
⚠️ Four Wheels Touching: Contrary to some YouTube videos, all four wheels must touch the track and roll flat; "rail-riding" with a lifted wheel is not allowed.
⚠️ No Bent Axles: Axles must be straight (not bent or "canted") so the wheels sit completely flat against the track surface.
⚠️ Official Wheels Only: You must use the official BSA wheels provided in the kit; "speed wheels" purchased online or heavily modified wheels are prohibited.
⚠️ Flat Nose Required: The very front of your car must have a flat edge (not a sharp point) so it can rest fairly against the starting pin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I really have to leave my car on Tuesday night?
A: Yes. This is called "Impounding." It ensures fairness (no modifications after weigh-in) and allows us to start the race on Saturday instantly without wasting hours checking cars in. We promise to transport them safely in padded boxes!
Q: Can siblings race?
A: Absolutely! We have an "Outlaw" division for siblings (and competitive parents). You can purchase an extra car kit for $7 from your leader.
Q: What if my car is too light or too heavy on weigh-in day?
A: Bring it anyway! Our "Pit Crew" station will have tungsten putty (to add weight) and drills (to remove weight) to help you hit the perfect 141.7g mark.
Q: What happens if my car is fast?
A: You might move on to the next level! The top 5 fastest cars in our Pack will qualify to represent Pack 970 at the Iron Horse District Championship on March 7.
Parents, We Need You!
Parents, We Need You!
This event is 100% volunteer-run. We need help on Saturday, Jan 31 to retrieve cars at the finish line, manage the "Pit Crew" table, hand out trophies, and manage the snack table. Contact your Den Leader if you can lend a hand!
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