Pinewood Derby 2025

Event Phone: 07799 542471

Pinewood Derby has been a popular event in the District and has been running for well over 30 years. Last years event 150 kits went out and we had entries from 9 Scout Troops in the District, this year we have geared up to accommodate all the Troops!

This years competition will be held on Saturday 1st March at Hobbs Hill Wood School, upper hall.

Registration from 10 – 10.45 a.m. The event should finish around 2 pm. Cars race on a special track and there are prizes for the fastest cars and also best looking (split in 2 age groups). These are presented at the end so do make sure you stay till the end even if your car does not progress
to the final race as it may still win a prize. Spectators are welcome on the day. You can see pictures of a previous event on page 2 which was held at another venue.

Kits cost £ 6.00 (wood, wheels, axles) from which you make a car or vehicle of some sort which are raced on a special four lane metal track to see which car goes the fastest. Cars are raced in groups, the fastest cars from each group race in a final league.

No cars from previous years are allowed to be entered, they must be new from this years kits. No joint entries. A full set of rules, guidelines and entry form comes with the kit.

PLEASE NOTE: It is important that Scouts making their cars do as much as possible on their own, from designing to shaping and finishing. Adults may help with the difficult tasks of cutting and can show how to use tools but it is not a ‘Adult’ event. The organisers have the right to disqualify entries which have had obvious adult input beyond the capabilities of the young person.

So can you turn your mind and hands to this challenge? To enter the competition just go on line to: www.hemel-scouts.co.uk/activities/pinewoodderby/ in the New Year and book a kit which will be distributed in mid January.

A template to help you with your design, ideas and tips are available to download on the same page, any specific questions email pinewood.derby@hemel-scouts.co.uk.

Scouts can count this towards badgework, by making the car and entering it into the competition meet requirements for the Model Maker and/or parts of the Creative and/or Teamwork Challenges, discuss this with your leader as to which badge you wish to put this towards (but not all of them!).

There is a limit of 200 kits so suggest young people act immediately after Xmas to avoid disappointment.