Boy Scouts to Host 4th Annual World Championship Pinewood Derby in Times Square

By Brigitt Earley June 8, 2018

The Greater New York Councils (GNYC) of Boy Scouts of America will host the fourth annual World Championship Pinewood Derby on Saturday, June 30, in the heart of New York City, according to a press release. This exciting NYC event will take place at the Marriott Marquis between w 45th and w 46th streets in Times Square from 9am to 4pm.

The World Championship Pinewood Derby will culminate with a closing race at 3pm, in which the top 15 finalists will compete for the title of World Champion. Scouts will construct their own Pinewood Derby cars using materials from official BSA Pinewood Derby kits: a block of pinewood, four nails, and four wheels. To qualify for the competition, all cars must be constructed by a Scout, contain all nine pieces, weigh five ounces or less, and not exceed 1.75 inches in width and 7 inches in length. A properly constructed Pinewood Derby car can reach a speed of up to 40 miles per hour.

"The Pinewood Derby is a time-honored tradition for all Cub Scouts, and this year's event is shaping up to be bigger and better than ever," said Ethan Draddy, scout executive for the GYNC Scouts, in a press release. “The event will feature the fastest pinewood cars in history at the same time that it celebrates the hard work and dedication of Scouts throughout the nation.”

The first Pinewood Derby, founded by Scoutmaster Donald Murphy, was held in Manhattan Beach, California in 1953. Since then, more than one million Cub Scouts have participated in the event.

Last year, Michael Olsey, a Scout from Harrison, NY, took home the Championship Cup in the Pro Stock Division with a time of 2.97 seconds. Gregory Merkel, a Scout from Commack, NY, won the Stock Car Division with a time of 3.02 seconds. Olsey is expected to return this year to defend his title.