One of the grand traditions of Cub Scouting is the Pinewood Derby.  This is sure to be a fun event, so get started on your car and be prepared for the big day!  We plan to make this a very exciting event—a mix of high cub scout participation with friendly competition.  Even if you don’t win your races, there will be many prizes in other categories (creative design, best paint job, most likely to hold up traffic, etc.).  You have to have a car to win, so make sure you are ready to race.  Check out the rules to ensure your car will be legal.

Lubrication!!!!
Only BSA Dry White Lube can be applied in the Archer Glen cafeteria!!!!
NO Graphite, Hob-E-Lube, Spray lubricants or oils can be used in the cafeteria.
This is due to the mess it can make on the floor and the difficulty involved in cleaning it up.

Any lubricant can be used and applied outside of the school, but any excess needs to be shaken off before the car is brought into the building.   Anyone caught violating this rule will have to clean the floor.

For the Race Rules: Click here
Here is the schedule for race day at Archer Glen:
12:00 Door open.   Pit Crew table will be open to assist with any last minute car preparation.
12:30: Time trials, weigh-in, registration, impound.  Your car must be weighed and impounded by 1:00.
1:00-2:30: Racing Action!
2:30-3:00: Awards/Clean-Up

Pack will provide drinks and healthy snacks.

Race Day Observations

  • Everyone was working on their car until the last possible moment.
  • As long as the car weighed 5 oz and the wheels spun...everything was fine.
  • Coolness is just as important as speed..
  • Bring an few emergency fix-it tools: superglue, sandpaper, a drill, extra screws for your weights, extra weights, a small screwdriver. You may not use it, but it will make you the most popular person at the event.
  • Transport your car in a shoebox. Dropped cars are unfortunately a too common experience.
  • Running the car along the floor prior to the race may cause it to lose!

Car Workshop (TBD)

Thanks to the generosity of the Sherwood High School Woodshop, we’ll have a special derby car workshop as shown on the main page.   To reach the woodshop, go down the driveway to the right of the high school (when facing the front entrance).  Towards the back of the school is a gate to the shop.  Look for other scouts there to guide you in.
To ease congestion in the shop, we are asking that scouts come according to their assigned shifts.  This isn’t strictly required, but if possible stick to your scheduled time.  Bring your car kit!


For some car ideas, try these templates