1st Annual Pine-Car Derby

Bow Market and Somerville Cub Scouts Pack 3 is excited to host the 1st annual Bow Market Pine-Car Derby! On Sunday, April 26th (Rain Date Sunday, May 3rd). Participants and teams in this all-ages event will create a car from a block of wood to race for prizes. Funds raised will support scouting in Somerville.

Test your mettle to see if you have what it takes to take the checkered flag!

Day-of Information
Cub Scout Pack 3 volunteers are looking forward to racing some cars on Sunday at Bow Market. It should be wonderful weather, and Bow Market has a number of vendors that offer food, drinks and unique finds, so this will be an afternoon full of fun! The event is free for audience members, so bring family and friends as well.

The funds raised from this event stay in the Somerville community and contribute to greater accessibility of scouting activities and event. Thank you for supporting us!

Here is some information to help you plan for the day!

Please check in on time
The racing software requires us to have everyone checked in before the heat schedule is generated,so check in will close 30 minutes before the race starts for each category.

Adhere to race rules
At check in, a volunteer will check car measurements, weigh the cars, and confirm that all car design rules for each category are met. Please read the design rules carefully and confirm that you meet them.

Any cars registered for the classic race category that don't meet classic design rules will have their registration transferred to the later Somervillain category. In particular, note that altering the kit wheels in any way (removing tread) or polishing axles are against the Classic rules. Please also check that your car is driving on all four wheels for the classic race--all wheels should make consistent contact with the ground. Coming in at or under 5 oz is also critical. These are the rules that people overlook most often, leading to disqualification.

Design Awards
All cars, including disqualified cars, can win a design award. Check the Derby Registration page for the current list of design themes and awards sponsored by Bow Market Vendors. Race organizers and/or vendors will judge design awards.

Thank you to Bow Market, Give Good Home Shop, Nook Cocktail Bar, The Bright Spot, Side Quest Books & Games, Bakery Oma, maca boston, Buenas, Tiny Turns Paperie, The Barbers Den, Remnant Brewing, and Zeloof Designworks for sponsoring design award prizes. Even if you don't win a design award, you can still be a winner by stopping into these and other Bow Market vendor spaces during the event!

Timing of events

Classic: 

• Check-in: 11:00 - 11:30
• Race: 12 - 1:30

Somervillain:

• Check-in: 1:00 - 1:30
• Race: 2:00 - 3:30

Design:

• Check-in: 11:00 - 1:30
• Design awards announced: 3:30 - 3:45
  

What is a Pine-Car Derby?

What is a Pine-Car Derby? Inspired by Scouting’s Pinewood Derby, our Pine-Car derby lets participants build a model car from scratch with pinewood, wheels, axles and a bit of creativity. The cars roll down a special sloped track and the first one to the finish gate wins. See a video clip of the Pack 3 2025 Pinewood Derby here.

The official kit can be bought at the infosession on 4/4, at the Scout Shop in Woburn, online from the Scout shop, or online at Amazon (they’re more expensive on Amazon).

We are offering two categories: One for classic cars that meet all the standard rules of Pinewood Derby cars and the Somervillain category where almost anything goes.

Please read the linked Rules and Frequently Asked Questions document for specific rules. It’s trickier than you’d think to create a car that meets requirements for this classic race, and it requires a bit of strategy to win. If a car registered for the classic race does not comply with classic race rules at check-in, their registration will be transferred to the Somervillain race so long as they meet the rules of that race. If a car does not comply with the rules of either race, it cannot race but it will still be eligible for the design awards.

Link to additional rules and frequently asked questions.

Questions? Email derbyteam@somervillepack3.org

Participation and Details

Races ($30 to Register)
The Somerville Classic: The big one! A race where cars will be held to the exacting standards borrowed from Scouting America. The winner will be the first to receive the Somerville Classic Trophy! 

        Participation is limited to 40 cars, you must register before race day

The Somervillain: This race will be for folks to really push the pinewood to its limit!

        Participation is limited to 50 cars, you must register before race day

For specific design rules and regulations, please read our Info sheet and FAQ

Design ($15 to Register, if not racing)
There are many ways to win a best design award:

• Most Bow Market | Sponsored by Bow Market | Win a Bow Market Swag Bag!
  
• Smoothest Ride for Automotive Excellence in Grain and Finish  | Sponsored by Give Good Home Shop | Win a year's supply for Wood Wax!
• The Shadiest | Sponsored by Nook Cocktail Bar | Win a Nook Hat!
  
• The Creative Spark Award | Sponsored by The Bright Spot | Win a Art Supply Mystery Pack!
• The Most Fantastical | Sponsored by Side Quest Books & Games | Prize details forthcoming
• The Sweetest ride | Sponsored by Bakery Oma | Prize details forthcoming
  
• The Cutest Ride I Sponsored by maca boston I Prize is box of 6 macarons 
• Most "Looking Like A Snack" Ride | Sponsored by Buenas | Win Buenas Happy Meals for 2!
• Most Stationary Car | Sponsored by Tiny Turns Paperie | Win a Tiny Turns gift card!
  
• Most Stylish | Sponsored by The Barbers Den | Win a free hair cut! 
• Name: TBD | Sponsored by Remnant Brewing | Prize details forthcoming
  
• Name: TBD | Sponsored by Zeloof Designworks | Prize details forthcoming

All cars entered to race are automatically entered into the design competition, competitors wishing to only be entered in the design competition can register the day of the event.

Registration
For Races, please register below. All proceeds go to support Somerville Cub Scouts Pack 3
For Design, all racers will be automatically registered
Participation is open to all ages

Car Design Options

For folks looking for access to tools to shape and build their cars: 

Car Cutting Workshop

April 21st, 2026 5pm - 8pm Drop-in at Bow Market Upstairs. Please register.

• Learn to make a derby car
• Get your derby car cut to your specifications
• $8.00 for derby car kit or free to derby registrants

FabVille Open Shop Schedule:

• Tuesday: 5 PM to 9 PM
• Wednesday: 4 PM to 9 PM
• Thursday: 4 PM to 9 PM

FabVille is located at the Somerville High School. It is closed the week of the Derby, so plan ahead.

About this fundraiser

The Bow Market Pine-Car derby is a fundraiser supporting Somerville Pack 3 Cub Scouting activities and gear as well as registration fees and dues for kids and families who need financial support to participate. Cub Scouts is an inclusive organization for any kid kindergarten through fifth grade. Learn more about our pack and events at https://somervillepack3.org/ or email info@somervillepack3.org for more information. For information about enrolling kids 6th - 12th grade in scouting, please email info@troop3somerville.org.