This page provides information about our annual Pinewood Derby. Any additional questions or comments regarding this event can be raised via the Contact page.
2023 Race Day Results
Thank you to everyone that assisted and participated in our Pinewood Derby as it was a great success. For those who’d like a copy of their Pit Pass Photo, I’ve made them available on our Google Drive.
Here are our Design Award Winners and the Times for all the boys, I’ve marked the speed awards (Four Fastest, Fastest in Den & Turtle with an *):
| Design Award Name | Car Number & Car Name & Scout Name |
| Scout Pride | 13 – Noah Jet – Noah Delpesche |
| Most Futuristic | 23 – Speeding Thur Time – Ethan Edwards |
| Most Patriotic | 12 – American Flag – Liam Laukhuf |
| Funniest | 15 – Du’Whiskey Mobile – Eli Kauffman |
| Leader’s Choice | 27 – U.S. Patriot – Ross Hindle |
| Place | Car # | Name | Car Name | Time | Den |
| 1* | 15 | Eli Kauffman | Du’Whiskey Mobile | 3.1499 | Bears |
| 2* | 8 | Austing Oliver | The Creeper | 3.1674 | Wolf |
| 3* | 6 | Corbin Hoover | Flaming Fire | 3.1865 | Tiger |
| 4* | 9 | Cooper Fissel | All-Star | 3.192 | Wolf |
| 5 | 14 | Brogan Mayhew | Huggy Racer | 3.1956 | Bear |
| 6* | 23 | Ethan Edwards | Speeding Thru Time | 3.1974 | Webelos |
| 7 | 10 | Gavin Lau | Cavalier | 3.2054 | Wolf |
| 8 | 12 | Liam Laukhuf | American Flag | 3.2222 | Wolf |
| 9 | 7 | Daniel Fernandes | Puppy Power | 3.2271 | Tiger |
| 10* | 29 | Ruben Abbiss | Modern Art | 3.2274 | Arrow of Light |
| 11 | 19 | Luke Fernandes | Fastest Car in the World | 3.2631 | Bear |
| 12 | 27 | Ross Hindle | U.S. Patriot | 3.2746 | Webelos |
| 13 | 31 | William Fazekas | Gear 31 | 3.2958 | Arrow of Light |
| 14* | 4 | Ian Hill | Flash | 3.323 | Lion |
| 15 | 18 | Joshua Hawley | Geno Smith | 3.3241 | Bear |
| 16 | 21 | Oliver Wells | Something Smells Fishy | 3.4547 | Bear |
| 17 | 2 | Elijah Michal | Elijah Michal | 3.461 | Lion |
| 18 | 1 | Adam Preuss | America | 3.5167 | Lion |
| 19 | 24 | Hudson Shofner | RZDZ | 3.5181 | Webelos |
| 20 | 5 | Leo Jin | Crazy Eight | 3.5439 | Lion |
| 21 | 3 | Hyland Almond | The Batmobile | 3.6994 | Lion |
| 22 | 11 | Khang Nguyen | Cosmic Racer | 3.7026 | Wolf |
| 23 | 22 | David Boyer | Patriotic Streak | 3.8001 | Webelos |
| 24 | 13 | Noah Delpesche | Noah Jet | 3.8195 | Wolf |
| 25* | 30 | Ryan Osei Asibey | G.H. Racer | 4.5394 | Arrow of Light |
Key Dates:
| Activity | Date |
| Distribution Pinewood Derby Car | Pack Meeting – 12/16 |
| Cut Day @ Makersmiths (Sign-Up) | 01/13 @ 6:30pm |
| Car Inspection & Check-In | Pack Meeting – 01/20 |
| Car Inspection & Check-In (Track Setup) | 01/27 @ 6:30pm |
| Pack 998 Pinewood Derby | 01/28 @ 9am |
| Goose Creek District Race (Registration Open) | 03/11 |
What is the Pinewood Derby?
The pinewood Derby is the wood car racing event of Scouts BSA. Pinewood Derbies have been run by Cub Scout Packs since 1953. With the help of adults, Scouts build their own unpowered, unmanned miniature cars from wood, from kits containing a block of pine wood, plastic wheels, and metal axles.
Who can participate in Pack 998’s Pinewood Derby?
Our Pinewood Derby is open to scouts, their families and friends. On the day of our race we start with our Cub Scout races, followed by the Friends and Families races which are open to everyone and all car types.
What do I need to participate in the Pinewood Derby?
In order to complete in the Pinewood Derby Scouts will need an official Pinewood Derby kit, which is provided by the Pack, and their own unique design. Each kit will come with the a set of numbers as well. Scout’s will be assigned a car number by the Pack which allows us to track the cars on race day. Scouts should incorporate this number into their design or place it on the bottom of the car. Additional kits can be purchased from the Pack, if available, or at a Scout Store.
What tools will I need to build my car?
Blocks can be whittled with a hand knife, bandsaw, or a carving tool. Other than the basic design rules of the Pack, found below, the Cub Scout is able to carve and decorate the car as he/she chooses. Cars vary from unfinished blocks to whimsical objects, to accurate replicas of actual cars. Weights can be added to the final design to bring the car to the maximum allowable weight. A high-density metal weight, such as tungsten carbide which is not toxic like lead, reduces the volume of wood, which reduces air friction and increases speed. Axle friction can be reduced by polishing the nails and applying graphite as a lubricant.
Assistance is available for those that don’t have the necessary tools or are making their first car. The Pack tries to setup a cut day each year where the basic shape of the car can be made. From there sanding and painting can be completed at home. The Pack also has tools to help put tires on the car, drill holes for installing weights and checking the balance of the car. You’ll find a couple of videos below that provide some guidance on different aspects of the build. If you do need help with the car please contact your Den Leader or reach out to Pack using our email address (pack998leesburg@gmail.com).
What are the rules for Pack 998’s Pinewood Derby?
Pack 998 follows all the Goose Creek District rules which can be found on the website for the District Races scheduled for 03/11. These races are open to all Scouts regardless of their placement in our races.
Below are the key rules for Pack 998’s Derby and all cars :
- The front of the car must have a minimum of a ¼” flat surface in the center to be placed against the starting mechanism.
- Race cars may weigh no more than 5.00 ounces of (total weight) as determined on the official scales.
- Race cars may be no longer than 7 inches, nor wider than 2-3/4 (2.75) inches
- Maximum height shall not exceed 5.25 inches
- Three wheels must simultaneously touch the track surface. All four wheels must be able to come into direct contact with the body of the car.
What are the award categories?
- Design:
- Most Futuristic
- Funniest
- Most Patriotic
- Cub Scout Pride
- Leader’s Choice
- Speed Awards
- First Place in Each Den
- Top 4 Overall
- Turtle Award (Slowest to Finish)
Helpful Videos:
- Mark Rober – Note: As stated above we require all 4 wheels to touch the ground.
- Basic Guide – Simple Tools
- Axle Installation
Pack 998 