Pinewood Derby Playbook

Overview

Many Cub Scout cherish the memory of the Pinewood Derby, and it is not uncommon to see Pinewood Derby cars from a generation ago displayed proudly by adults in thier house.

A Pinewood Derby event provides Cub Scouts with the opportunity for the following:

• Express creativity

• Craft something with their own hands

• Take ownership of a project

• Younger Cub Scouts work in partnership with their parents

• Older Cub Scouts work independently under the guidance of their parents

• Light Competition

Pinewood Derby Rules & Instructions

The Pinewood Derby is one of the larger efforts, and when splitting up the tasks, it can take 6-7 adults to execute the event successfully. 

Adult Volunteer Requirements

The following adult volunteer roles will be required:

• Pinewood Derby Chair

• Garage

• Quartermaster

• Computer Operator

• Track Setup

• Track Setup

• Master of Ceremonies

• Marshall

• Marshall

• Bandsaw

Note: Many of these roles can also be filled by a capable Den Chief. 

Plan of Action

3+ Month Prior to the Race

• Start Assigning adult volunteers

• Search for a family with a bandsaw or access to a bandsaw. 

• Identify the number of Scouts in the Pack

• Find the Leftover Cars from the prior year

• Purchase Pinewood Derby Supplies online at https://www.scoutshop.org/

  • Replenish Pinewood Derby cars so that there is one available for each Cub Scout, plus 10 for open class. (Left over cars will be used the following year)

  • Trophies for 1st, 2nd & 3rd

  • 20+ Ribbons for Design Awards, Open Class Awards & Cubmaster's Choice Awards

• Review Pinewood Derby Rules (Request modifications from Webmaster)

4-6 Weeks Prior to the Race

• Coordinate a meeting of the Pinewood Derby Committee to walk through each member's responsibilities

• Announce the Upcoming Pinewood Derby

• Host the Build Night

• Communicate contact details for the Pinewood Derby Garage for Pinewood Derby Kit pickup

2 Weeks Prior to the Race

• Follow up with Pinewood Derby Committee to ensure all tasks are on track

1 Weeks Prior to the Race

• Pinewood Derby Impound Completed by the Pinewood Derby Garage Team

4 Days Prior to the Race

• Track Inspected, and Maintenance Completed by Pinewood Derby Track Team

• Receive Design Award Voting Survey from Pinewood Derby Garage Team

• Email Design Award Voting Survey to the Pack

1 Day Prior to the Race

• Cut off Design Award Voting 

• Write out Design Awards (If it is close, award multiple cars with the design award)

• Make up additional "Cubmasters Choice" awards to give away all ribbons

Race Night

5:00 PM    Track Team arrive at the event venue with Track and Begin Setup

5:00 PM     Computer Team arrive at the event venue with Computer and Begin Setup

5:45 PM     Master of Ceremonies Arrive & Setup Flags & AV

5:45 PM     Pinewood Derby Garage arrive with Cars

5:45 PM     Marshalls arrive and help setup cars for the Race

6:15 PM     Time Trials Begin (Each Car Races Once)

The purpose of the time trial is to test if all the equipment is working as expected, and the people operating the race are comfortable with their responsibility. 

These time trials do not count towards the final result. 

6:30 PM    Flag Ceremony

                  Open Class Race

                  Showcase of Open Class Results

                  Presentation of Open Class Ribbons (1st / 2nd / 3rd)

                  Cub Scout Class Race

                  Presentation of Cub Scout Class Design Awards

                  Showcase of Cub Scout Class Results

                  Presentation of Cub Scout Class Trophies (1st / 2nd / 3rd)

                  Pinewood Derby Cars may be collected by Participants

                  Closing - Audience Departs

                  Equipment Teardown & Return to Storage

Build Night

The purpose of a build night is to provide Cub Scouts with their car, and an access to a bandsaw to have their car cut to the desired shape. 

This could take the place of a pack meeting, or be a casual stand alone meeting. 

Garage

The responsibilities of the Pinewood Derby Garage are to 

• Obtain Pinewood Derby Supplies from Storage (with the help of the Quartermaster)

• Distribute cars at the Pinewood Derby Build Night, and by appointment

• Host 2 Pinewood Derby Impound Sessions; 2-3 hours each session

• Verify all cars are in compliance with the Pack Pinewood Derby Rules

• Create a gif file of each car submitted (Giphy Capture has worked well in the past)

• Setup the Design Award Voting Survey

• Provide a list of all racing cars to Computer team

• Bring Cars to Race Night

Track Setup

Track Setup Instructions

The responsibilities of the Pinewood Derby Track Setup team are to 

• Obtain the Pinewood Derby Track from Storage (with the help of the Quartermaster)

• Become familiar with the setup of the Pinewood Derby Track

• Inspect the Pinewood Derby Track prior to the race, and address any maintenance concerns

• Setup the Pinewood Derby Track on Race Night

• Teardown the Pinewood Derby Track and return to storage

Computer Setup

The responsibilities of the computer team will be to

• Obtain the Pack Computer (from Cubmaster or Committee Chair)

• Become familiar with Grand Prix Race Manager

• [Optional] Upgrade the Race Software to the latest version

• Receive list of all racing cars from the Pinewood Derby Garage

• Create Open Class and Cub Scout Class Races

• Print Out Head Sheets for use on Race Night

• Operate the computer on Race Night