description Pinewood Derby Overview
The Pinewood Derby is a miniature-car racing event associated with Cub Scouting in the United States. It was created by Cubmaster Don Murphy and first held in 1953 in Manhattan Beach, California, as an accessible alternative to full-size soapbox racing. Participants typically shape and decorate small wooden cars, then race them by gravity on a sloped track, combining craft work, basic engineering, and organized youth competition.
help Pinewood Derby FAQ
What is the Pinewood Derby?
The Pinewood Derby is a miniature-car racing event primarily associated with Cub Scouting in the United States. Participants carve small wooden cars from kits and race them down a sloped, gravity-powered track.
Who invented the Pinewood Derby and when?
The event was created by Cubmaster Don Murphy and was first held in 1953 in Manhattan Beach, California. Murphy designed it as an accessible alternative to full-size soapbox racing for boys who were too young to build full-sized carts.
What are the standard weight and size rules for a Pinewood Derby car?
The official rules dictate that the car cannot exceed 5 ounces in weight, 7 inches in length, and 2.75 inches in width. Scouts use strategic placement of the provided weights to maximize the car's momentum without breaking these limits.
Can girls participate in the Pinewood Derby today?
Yes, since the Boy Scouts of America opened its Cub Scout program to girls in 2018, both boys and girls can officially build and race cars. Many local packs also invite siblings and parents to participate in open racing divisions.
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