Pack 40 Natick - Pinewood Derby

2026 Pack 40 Pinewood Derby

(Step 1) Receive your Pinewood Derby car kit at the December pack meeting. If you missed it, contact Greg Kinchla at greg@kinchla.com to arrange another time to pick up your kit.

(Step 2) Read the rules, start thinking of ideas and working on your car! Attend the Jan 10 Pinewood Derby car workshop if you need car ideas or help making the first "big cut"! Sign up for a spot at the workshop here.

(Step 3) Click here to register for the race by January 29, 2026.

(Step 4) Click here to sign up to help - we have large and small jobs...all are important!

(Step 5) Bring your car for weigh-in/drop off EITHER:

The night before the race, Friday Feb 6

Sometime during 4-7pm at the Kinchla house: 14 Appleton Rd, Natick, MA

Click here to sign up for a slot for the Feb 6 option.

The morning of the race, Saturday Feb 7

Sometime during 9am-10:45am at White Lodge (1 Nobscot Rd, Sudbury, MA )

** Weigh-in/drop off should take about 10 minutes, unless you need to adjust your car to meet the requirements.

** Look below for a description of what happens at weigh-in / dropoff.

(Step 6) Come to the Pinewood Derby!

Race start time: Saturday, Feb 7, 2026 --11am

Address: Nobscot Scout Reservation, 1 Nobscot Rd, Sudbury, MA .

Building: White Lodge, next to the Nobscot main entrance & parking lot. Circled in red on this Nobscot map

Scout attire: Class-A (blue/tan) uniforms

Cost: $0

Questions? Email dianeorf@gmail.com

Rules

Cars must be made from the official Scouting America car kits.

We will pass out kits at the December pack meeting. If you missed receiving yours, contact Greg Kinchla at greg@kinchla.com.

Parents and non-Scout siblings who want to participate in the race can purchase their own cars at the Scout Shop (23 Turnpike Rd, Southborough, MA) or online at https://www.scoutshop.org/official-pinewood-derby-car-kit-17006.html.

Cars must comply with the official 2025 Mayflower Council rules (click to follow link to rules) *Will update for 2026 when available. We don't anticipate big changes. *

FAQ: Are adults allowed to help make the cars? Yes! This is supposed to be a Scout + parent/guardian activity. Make great memories together!

If the adult does everything, the Cub Scout doesn't learn anything, make memories, or feel personal pride in their car.
With no adult involvement, the Cub Scout may end up with a car that performs poorly on race day.
Best situation is where an adult works on EVERY aspect of the car WITH the Cub Scout - design, cutting, sanding, painting, wheel/axel prep, weight, etc. Through this the Cub Scout learns the what/why and the science behind PWD. They come out with a car that they and parent/guardian built together, and a memory and skills that will last their lifetime!

What happens at "Weigh-in and Dropoff"?

Each car will be weighed and measured by a race volunteer.

In order to compete, cars must meet all requirements specified in the 2025 Mayflower Council rules *Will update for 2026 when available. We don't anticipate big changes. * . The Pack's official scale and measuring box are the final ruling.

There will be tools available to make adjustments at weigh-in to comply with rules.

Once the owner is satisfied and the car meets weight and size requirements, the car is taken by race volunteers. Owners may not touch their cars after this point until the races are complete (unless the car is damaged during racing, at which point the owner has the chance to fix their car.)

Race Day!

If it's your first time, check out photos from last year's Pinewood Derby to see what it's like.

Restrooms are available in the building.

Pizza lunch will be served.

Each race will run multiple times, giving every car a chance in various lanes.

Prizes will be awarded within each rank for speed, and other awards will be given as well. The Scouts from each rank who win 1st-3rd place in speed will be invited to represent Pack 40 at the Mayflower Council Pinewood Derby on Saturday May 9, 2026 (location not announced yet).

Schedule :

Night before volunteers setup start time: 7pm
Car Weigh-in / Drop-off time: 9am-10:45am
Race start time: 11am
Awards ceremony
Photos
Post-race cleanup and track takedown