Planning And Executing A Pinewood Derby
Successful Cub Scouting events, like the Pinewood Derby, require advanced planning and lots of parental involvement. Listed below are sources of information that will guide you towards a successful event for the Pack, and a fun experience for your Cubs and their families.
- History of the Pinewood Derby
Many Pinewood Derbys have come and gone over the last 4 decades. Learn where this Derby 'stuff' came from, and who our forebearers were. (Our thanks to Randy Worcester for this great research job!)
- Roles of the Pinewood Derby Committee
A successful and fun Pinewood Derby is highly dependent on the work of the "Pinewood Derby Committee." Assemble this group of volunteers early in the race year. These pages include job descriptions that illustrate the responsibilities of each of a successful Pinewood Derby's functional positions.
- Pinewood Derby Model Car Racing
A nice Pinewood Derby Planning guide from the U.S. Scouting Service Project. See their "Ten Steps to a Successful Derby" pages
- Pinewood Derby Rules
How many times have you heard this question? The reason that the question gets asked so often is because one can encounter considerable confusion in interpreting the "guidelines" that are published in several BSA documents.
- The Night Before Pinewood
A skit from Jay Jenkins. Jay says: "My den and I wrote this poem in 1994. They performed a skit at a pack meeting based on it, but it would also work as just a poem. They had a lot of fun with it, and it helped them earn their Showman pin. I have received a few requests for it, so here it is for anyone that would like to use it."
- Pinewood Derby Songs and Yells
Part of the fun of a big event like the Pinewood Derby is showing spirit through participation. Most Cub Scouts have a few intense minutes in the limelight of competition, but spend most of their time spectating and rooting for their fellow Scouts. The entire experience can be enriched with a little audience participation in songs, stunts, or Den yells. Here are a few to get started.
- Race Methods for a Shape N Race Derby
This document describes ways to determine which derby cars are the fastest. It should be useful to organizers of any similar
race event (e.g., model sailboat or model rocket races), since it addresses logistical issues that are applicable to any race
event, and isn't tied to the specific details of model car races like the Shape N Race Derby or the Pinewood Derby.
- Pinewood Derby Tips for Tool Impaired Cub Scout Leaders
The Ultimate Pinewood Derby site from Randy Worcester includes: tips on building cars, running races, and giving awards. This is one of the "Original Pinewood Sites."
- Conducting a Pinewood Derby
The quintessential study of race management methods from Stan Pope
- Pinewood Derby Car Plaques from Stan
Each Cub that brings a car to this Pack's Derby gets a plaque to take home. This page describes the entire process of creating your own recognitions for the hard-working Cubs in your Pack.
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Designing and Building Your Car
Collected below are the secrets that you've been looking for! From the preeminent masters of Pinewood Derby automotive engineering, here is THE collection of design ideas, basic and advanced construction techniques, and performance data. Soup-to-nuts, you've come to the right place!
- Car Performance Experiments
Yet another masterpiece from Dr. Cory Young of Pack 146 (Chantilly, VA)! Cory built a custom track, and utilized a very accurate digital timing system for this study of car design (and racing environment) vs performance. He takes us through 18 unique tests (and 144 runs), each focused on examining a different car design or race parameter (i.e. weight location, lubrication, aerodynamics, car-to-track placement, etc.) How often do you get to take advantage of this kind of data prior to helping your son build his car?
- Pinewood Derby Car Design
A great page that summarizes essential strategies and tactics of car design. A prelude to "Learn to Build A Winner." The most complete textbook on Pinewood Derby Car performance design and construction available. It is published on-line, and for a $10 donation to the W.D. Boyce Council of BSA, it can be yours. Excellent!!
- Jay's Pinewood Derby Page
Jay's Pinewood Derby Page features tips and tricks to help all Cub Scouts be more competitive in their Pinewood Derby. It contains many images of cars to help inspire creative and imaginative designs.
- Darin McGrew's Shape N Race Derby Page
A very comprehensive Shape N Race Derby site with information, advice, and resources for anyone organizing or participating in any derby, whatever name it goes by. There are also photographs of unusual and creative derby car designs.
- How To Improve A Pinewood Derby Racing Car
A student of the 'Master of Pinewood Knowledge' shares his ideas with us. This is Brian D.'s Tutorial - A must read!
- Making a Pinewood Car with my Dad
Your Cubs have got to see this before beginning their construction project. From the Cub's perspective, the message here is "Grown ups: hand over your tools, and stand BACK! Let us kids do the work. We want your help, your advice, your guidance, your encouragement..... and your tools! LET US DO MOST OF THE WORK." These guys in Cub Scout Pack #1 (Westhampton Beach, NY) KNOW what they're talking about!!
- Our Pinewood Masterpieces
Can't decide on a "COOL" car design? Need design ideas before whittling? Browse our collection of photo images depicting some of our more successful Pinewood Derby designs. Each car is represented by a 'thumbnail' allowing you to browse without waiting for long downloads.
- Jay Jenkins "Cars" page
An awesome collection of car images! Get some ideas about your car design before you start cutting the block.
- Photos of Unusual Model-Car Designs by Youth
This is one of Darin McGrew's car 'photo' pages. Excellent photos of car designs to "get those creative juices flowing."
- A COOL Car
This is a neat Pinewood Derby Car design photo from the industrial design portfolio of a Carnegie Mellon student.
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Our Favorite Pack Pinewood Pages
Looking for the best unit-related Pinewood Derby sites? Well, here they are! Whether you are a seasoned racer, or you are just getting into this 'Derby-thing,' visit these GREAT Web-sites for information on how other Packs do their Derbies!
- Kub Kar Racing Page - 15th Burlington
Canadian Pack's "Kub Kar" page featuring background, rules, and suggestions for "alternate" activities on rally day.
- Pinewood Derby Pictures
Cool Pinewood Race and Car photos from Pack 636 in Brook Park, Ohio
- Pack 146 Pinewood Derby, Chantilly, VA
A pack level Pinewood Derby site, but with some items of general interest, such as as racing charts and plans, racing chart analysis software, and a Pinewood Derby poem.
- Cub Scout Pack 1036 Pinewood Derby News and Information
Information on Cub Scout Pinewood derbies. Car building, race software, race timers, derby organization, rules and results for Pack 1036 derbies, rules and results for Gray Owl District derbies. Pack 1036 of Garland, TX; is a part of the Gray Owl District of Circle 10 Council of the Boy Scouts of America.
- Cub Scouts Pack 117 Pine Wood
Visit Camp 117! The Best Cub site On The Web. You Will Need A Java Savvy Browser, though.
- Pinewood Derby - The Thrill of Victory, the Agony of Defeat.
Interviews from Pack 6's 1996 race.
- Golden Arrow District's Pinewood Derby Rules
Ground Rules, Construction Requirements, Lubrication, Inspection and Disputes
- Pinewood History and Guidelines
A nice Pack page from Pack 588 in Fontana, CA
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Pinewood Derby Tracks
If you are looking into building or buying a Pinewood Derby track you may have noticed that finding track and track-component manufacturers and suppliers is 'difficult' to say the least. Well, we have done the market surfing for you! Check out the following information sources for those hard-to-find products that you've been looking for.
- Aluminum Track Plating
If you are looking for a way to revitalize your existing Pinewood Derby track, or even if you are building a new one, read on... Aluminum Track Plating is available from the BSA Supply Division as follows: "Six high quality 93" x 4" aluminum sections that can be attached to your track framework and attached together end-to-end and side-by-side to form the ultimate Pinewood Derby racing surface!" Resists the shrinking, warping, and aging that wrecks wood surfaced tracks. Includes pins and instructions. Part Number: V7696A - Cost: $119.95 pkg" The plating is available from BSA by calling 1(800) 323-0732 or send mail orders to: Boy Scouts of America, P.O. Box 65989, Charlotte, NC USA 28265-0989
- Download Track Plans
This is a "zip" compressed Pinewood Derby Track plan from the "Cub Scout Leader How-To Book" (BSA 33832 - 1996.) After zip de-compression, the resultant 'gif' image is a very high resolution (600DPI) Track plan that can be printed on 8.5" x 11" paper, or output to your favorite large format laser or thermal plotter at 34" x 44" (E-size). (Also, see Pack 1036's plans below!)
- Tips on Buying or Building Pinewood Tracks
Do you BUY or do you BUILD? Check this page out! It might help you decide... (Created by "New Directions")
- Pack 240 NETletter// Tales from the internet
Very fast formica covered with electronic start/finish line. Has a device to safely stop cars without damaging them. We call it "gasoline alley"
- Pinewood Derby Track Plan from Pack 1036
Build a Pinewood Derby track with this plan. Download the track plans via FTP - Free...
- Track Manufacturers
From Darin McGrew's "Resources for a Shape N Race Derby"
- Electronic Pinewood Derby
Interesting ideas for a unique 'Track Design.'
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Pinewood Derby Timers
When the Pinewood Derby was conceptualized back in the early 1950's the need for 'robotic judges' was science fiction. But today, after 45 years of experience with line disputes, the need for a digital 'backup' to your human line judges is practically mandatory. Buy the best, or build it! The option is your's!
- The Do-It-Yourself Pinewood Derby Timer
These pages were created by a few electrical engineering students from the University of Missouri-Rolla to share the benefits of their design efforts with the rest of the world. The plans presented here were designed and developed in 1997 by the students working in their free time. The information is free and is provided by them primarily as a service to Cub Scout Packs who have grown tired of running races under the problematic double-elimination format.
- Build your own Computerized Infrared Detector !
Pack 471 in Gladstone, MI has created a "Computerized Infrared Detector" for Pinewood Derby finish lines. Their on-line design includes a schematic diagram, bill of materials, and the BASIC code required to operate the detector. Also included is a narration concerning the construction of the detector. Use their design to build your own timer. You supply the parts, an external power supply, and an IBM compatible computer with an available parallel port (and the soldering iron!).
- TimeStoppers by Intelligent
Automation
Timestoppers are highly accurate electronic devices designed to time and/or judge Pinewood Derby races. Built by Intelligent Automation (in the Silicon Valley of California), they employ the latest in solid-state electronics, including photosensors for start/stop.
- Precision Race Timing Systems
page
Supplier's Of Super-Accurate Race Timers And Race Management Software including the Pinewood Derby SuperTimer and RaceManager
- The Judge by New Directions
THE JUDGE is a compact, rugged, and affordable electronic finish line that takes the guesswork out of the popular Pinewood Derby races. It makes use of the very latest technology in electronics, and is exceptionally well designed and built. But most of all, it is
accurate, fair and impartial.
- The Micro Wizard
Fast Track pinewood derby timers combine state of the art accuracy with a professional look that builds enthusiasm for the race. One of our family of timers will suit your needs and eliminate disputes even in the closest of competition. Spectators see results instantly at the finish line.
- New Bold Products Timers' DT-1000
The DT-1000 Digital Timer can be used to assist boys, parents, and leaders in building FAST Pinewood Derby Cars. Essential for the Serious Competitor!! Groups can use it on a single lane to adjust cars by adding weights, sanding, etc
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Buying Derby Supplies (and Knowledge)
The Pinewood Derby is an industry! The suppliers below are dedicated to this industry and have amassed a tremendous Derby knowledge base... and they would love to share it with YOU! From some GREAT video tapes covering car construction techniques - to commercially available decals, wheels, paint, and weights, you can find it all here.
- "Top Secret Pinewood Video"
A new video whose producers say: "Your host builder has been building champion pinewood cars for over seven years! He will show you step by step, all of the speed secrets that will get you to the winners circle!. Watch as he builds a pinewood car from the box, start to finish, on your television."
- How to Win a Pinewood Car Derby - Book
A good book from Winning Edge. They say: "After four years of experience, and consistently winning in our Pinewood Derby Car Races, we would like to share our special construction steps with you."
- How to Build Champion Pinewood Cars - Video
Check out this cool video. Their makers say: "Now, you can SEE a detailed 45 minute video demonstration showing you how to build championship Pinewood Derby cars! This professionally produced video includes step by step procedures for building faster cars.
- Hodges Hobby House
Since 1978 Hodges Hobby House has sold Pinewood Derby speed supplies to Cub Scouts and other youth groups.
- Pine Pro Competition Components
They manufacture a full line of high quality Pine Wood Derby Car kits and accessories to help make your car a winner!!!
- Pinecar products
Car kits, decals, custom parts, speed equipment, pre-cut designs, and accessories. Pinecar Products are available at your local hobby shop. Orders can also be placed by phone or mail.
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Race Management Application Software & Tools
What is race management? It is a procedure that allows you to control race-day chaos! When you KNOW who races when, and who has raced, and how they did, you can assure yourself of a Derby that is fun for the Cubs AND the leaders and parents. Computers do this very well. So, let 'em do it! Your time is better used by focusing on the immediate needs of the kids on race day. Right?
- Software for Analyzing Pinewood Derby Racing Charts
Developed by Cory Young of Pack 146. Cory says: Some folks are very passionate when it comes to the racing charts they use to conduct their Pinewood Derbies. In fact, they occasionally exhibit behavior which borders on the obsessive or compulsive! In the interest of promoting this sort of behavior, we offer two Windows-based racing chart analysis tools..."
- Perfect-N Chart Generator
Try this JavaScript-driven tool from Cory Young and Stan Pope to generate "Perfect-N" racing charts. But before you do, you had better visit his "Conducting Pinewood Derby Races" page to learn more about the theory behind it!
- RaceVIEW Pinewood Derby Manager Software
RaceVIEW utilizes the "Point Elimination Derby Format." It is easy to install on a PC or Mac, and is the fairest and easiest Derby method. It manages all aspects of derby - from registration entry to "Champion" display. Includes a built-in simulator for training, and vivid large text displays
- Software from AGENTZ - SCOUTING RESOURCES site
They've gotten an awful lot of requests for the Pinewood Derby program they use. It's not a commercially available software package. Written by one of their previous leaders this is a DOS program to handle the races. If you'd like to check it out, please fill out the form on their page to download it and they'll keep you informed of changes and updates.
- Pinewood Derby Spreadsheet
From our friends in Pack 18, Everett, Washington, this free spreadsheet is a great tool for keeping score at a Pinewood Derby. It's designed for running groups of 6 to 11 cars on a 3 lane track.
- Sterns Elimination Method Software
This zip file contains several text files plus a compiled basic program that can be used to create heats for a round-robin
type of race using Stearns Method. It attempts to let each scout race against either other on alternating tracks. It is an
alternative to double elimination, that many packs prefer. Thanks to: Neil Gould (neilgould@why.net), for this information.
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Searching The Internet For Derby Info
Well, if you've made it this far down the page, you have either found more than you ever dreamed you'd need for your Derby, or you are totally frustrated because you can't find that esoteric 'widget' for your race or car. The links below are the portals into the 'Pinewood-ether', ....the vessel of all Derby knowledge, ....the crucible of Cub car-craft, ...THE WEB! (If you can't find it after all this work, let me know, and I will ferret it out for you!!)
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