By Mark Houlahan

On May 15, 1953, the first-ever Pinewood Derby was held in California. Since then, it has become a yearly highlight for Cub Scout troops around the country. Scouts work with an adult, usually a member of their family, to build a wooden model car with metal axles and plastic wheels. There are two ways to win in most events. The fastest car wins, but so does the most interesting or innovative design. Each pack or district make their own set of rules, but most follow the same basic guidelines. There are many companies, many owned by former scouts that sell Pinewood Derby gear like car kits.

Pinewood Derby

The Pinewood Derby is fun and rewarding not just for Scouts, but for their families too.

What Is the Pinewood Derby?

Cub Scouts work with their parents or other chosen adult to build and race a car of their own design.

Pinewood Derby Model Car Racing

Over a million scouts work with their families each year to build and race a Pinewood Derby model car. The first derby was held back in 1953 and since then, generations of Cub Scouts have participated each year.

From Soapboxes to Scouts: The History of the Pinewood Derby

Back in 1953, Soapbox Derbies were very popular with kids. However, participants had to be at least twelve years old to join in. The father of a Cub Scout who was too young for Soapbox Derbies,\ thought the building and racing model cars would be a fun activity for younger kids and a great activity for Cub Scout packs.

What Are the Official BSA Pinewood Derby Rules?

There are no national rules set by the Boy Scouts of America for the Pinewood Derby. Instead, each pack makes its own rules. The car kits do come with suggested rules and safety measures, though.

Watch How a Pinewood Derby Car Kit Gets Made

Pinewood Derby kits are made in Indiana before being shipped to derby participants around the country!

Pinewood Derby 500 Winners

The NASCAR Hall of Fame honors all Pinewood Derby winners, both past and present.

Basic Pinewood Derby Car Building Instructions

Any kid, with some adult help, can build a derby car following these instructions.

Making a Pinewood Derby Car

Sometimes scouts overlook priming the car's wood, but it's important so that when paint is applied it goes on smoothly.

How to Build the Fastest Pinewood Derby Car

Since each pack or district, makes its own rules for its Pinewood Derby, participants should check with their local council before beginning to build their car.

Building a Fast Pinewood Derby Car: 14 Tips From a Former Scout

Different packs hold their derbies at different times. It's important to know when the event will be held and make plans for working on the derby car. It takes longer than some people expect! This article will shed some light on why it takes some time and effort.

Here Are Some Great Tips for Building Your Pinewood Derby Car (Using Science!)

The best tip for a winning car? Make sure it weighs no more than five ounces.

Pinewood Derby Car Design Tips

Some scouts really enjoy personalizing and designing their model cars even more than they enjoy racing them.

Build the World's Fastest Pinewood Derby Car

Pinewood Derby is a chance for kids to learn and practice science and engineering skills in a fun way. Building a successful derby car requires kids to learn about aerodynamics and apply those principles to their model cars.

5 Quick & Easy Tips For Improving Your Pinewood Derby Car's Speed

Building a car where the weight of the car is centered on the rear axle improves the chance the car can win.

How Do I Choose the Best Pinewood Derby Axle?

The axle is one of the most important derby car parts, especially for scouts who are trying to build a car that will go as fast as possible.

How to Build a 1st Place Pinewood Derby Car

Sometimes parents and adults need a reminder that building a derby car is a project for kids, and except where safety or following the rules is involved, the kid should be in charge of the project.

Top Tips to Build A Pinewood Derby Car

Floor wax is the perfect finishing touch to make a derby car shine.

Build a Fast Pinewood Derby Car

Small details, like polishing the model car's axles, matter a lot when building a race car.

Taking Pinewood Derby Up a Notch

Rocket cars aren't allowed in Pinewood Derby, but building and launching one is a great way for kids to learn about aerodynamics and propulsion.

Building a Pinewood Derby Car (PDF)

Designing a derby car starts with pencils, crayons, and paper, not with the car kit!

4 Must-Follow Tips to Make a Winning Pinewood Derby Car

Not only do all the wood pieces of the car need to be sanded, but reducing friction requires the plastic wheels also get sanded to be as smooth as possible.

Tips For Fast Pinewood Derby Car Designs

The axles that come in every Pinewood Derby kit have small burrs around the head of the axle. It's super important to remove those burrs because they will significantly slow down the car.

Pinewood Derby Tips and Tricks

Scouts should do as much of the work of building their derby cars as possible, but adults should supervise the building of the car. Learn some important safety tips before getting started.

Best Pinewood Derby Ideas and Designs

Rubbing graphite on the axles is one cool trick for increasing a derby car's speed.

Ultimate Guide: How to Build a Winning Pinewood Derby Car

Building a winning derby car requires knowing what kind of track the local district holds its race's on, metal or wood. Each track requires different things for a car to be a champion.

Build a Fast Pinewood Derby Car in 6 Steps

Friction is speed's enemy, so the first step in building a fast model car is figuring out how to reduce friction.

Pinewood Derby Car Designs

Part of the fun of Pinewood Derby is that kids aren't just trying to build fast cars. It's also a chance to build a dream car. These designs will give kids and parents some basic templates on how to make the derby car of their dreams into reality.

20 Tips for Planning and Hosting the Best Pinewood Derby

Packs put a lot of work into hosting derbies. Often, they also hold pre-derby events like building workshops and inspection events.

Engineers Try To Build Faster Pinewood Derby Cars

Adult engineers took on the challenge of building derby cars, and what they learned along the way is valuable information for all Scouts thinking about building their next car.

The Science Behind Making The Fastest Possible Pinewood Derby Car

An engineer made a very thorough video that walks model builders through each step of building the fastest possible derby car.

Pinewood Derby Car Goes 240 MPH

A former scout made a derby car as a graduate school project.

The Physics of the Pinewood Derby

Physics powers every car entered in the derby.

How Do You Paint a Pinewood Derby Car?

Sanding the whole body is the first step in painting a derby car.

5 Best Paint For Pinewood Derby Car: Get Coolest Decorating Metal Painting Today

Some kids choose to use spray paint to apply the base color to their model cars.

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Pinewood Derby

Authors of a book about the Pinewood Derby had to make a lot of model cars, and along the way learned some valuable lessons that are helpful to all model builders.

Unicorn Pinewood Derby Car

Pinewood Derby cars can be decorated to look like anything, including unicorns!

Custom Painting Pinewood Derby Cars with Spray Cans! (Video)

Even very complicated paint designs can be accomplished with spray paint. However, an adult needs to supervise and make sure all safety rules are followed.

Pinewood Derby Car Designs

Using a foam paint applicator is another way to get a very smooth finish on a racecar.

Simple STEM: Pinewood Derby Comes Back Around…

The Pinewood Derby is fun, but it's also a great way for kids to get practical exposure and experience with STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics).

Pinewood Derby Car Regulations

The Potomac District only allows cars that are six inches or less in height to compete in their derby.