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How to Run a Pinewood Derby Race

The Pinewood Derby, introduced more than five decades ago, is a model car racing event that has become a tradition in Cub Scouting. The races, organized by Cub Scouts dens, entails boys designing and building their own wooden model cars from official kits, with the help of family members or other adults, to race down a track that begins with a steep slope and ends on flat terrain. Planning for race day starts months in advance to ensure a smooth event.

Things You'll Need

Pinewood Derby track
Score sheets
Timing device
Trophies and ribbons
Official Pinewood Derby car kits

Instructions

- 1
  Choose the race day several months in advance. Announce the day of the event as soon as possible so scouts and their families can plan accordingly.
- 2
  Select volunteers to help lead various aspects of your Pinewood Derby, including judging, contests, activities and car pit. Discuss with them ideas they may have to add to the event and start compiling a volunteer list.
- 3
  Reserve a location for the event at least two months in advance. Visit the venue yourself before committing.
- 4
  Decide whether you will rent, borrow, buy or build the Pinewood Derby track and timing device. Tracks are typically two to four lanes. You also will need a scale for the official weigh-in of cars.
- 5
  Decide whether the derby will consist of a winner's bracket, which is a competitive race, or will be a noncompetitive event, in which the scouts are provided tokens or tickets for a set number of races. Decide whether the races should be divided by age, depending on the number of participants. Larger groups should be divided among age groups.
- 6
  Order the Pinewood Derby model car kits and distribute them with the derby rules to your scouts at least one month before race day. Local scout shops have the official kits. Rules can be found online at abc-pinewood-derby.com. Order prizes, such as trophies and ribbons.
- 7
  Finalize volunteers and their roles, including check-in personnel for race day. Make sure a table is available for check-in volunteers, sign-up sheets with a list of participants and scoring sheets to track the winners in each heat. Also purchase number stickers for the derby cars, which are provided during check-in.
- 8
  Provide for practice time a day or two before race day, making the track available to participants who want a trial run before the event. At this time, the cars also can be weighed and inspected so participants have a chance to make necessary repairs.
Derby Day
- 9
  Set up a meeting one to two hours prior to the start of the event to finalize positions and make sure necessary supplies are available. Choose one person to serve as the announcer to keep the event moving efficiently.
- 10
  Organize games and activities outside of the races, because there will be down time for families and participants.
- 11
  Distribute awards. Provide prizes the same day as the derby.

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