Name: Pop's Father's Day Pinewood Derby
Start: 2026-06-20T10:00:00-05:00
End: 2026-06-20T14:00:00-05:00
Location: Pop's Pub on Pioneer

Pop’s Father's Day Pinewood Derby

The Pop’s Pinewood Derby is a friendly, competitive, and slightly ridiculous race for kids, teens, adults, dads, backyard inventors, and people who took the assignment way too seriously.

Racers can compete in traditional age divisions or enter the Open Class / Nerd Division if they want more freedom to build something wild.

The goal is simple: build fast, build weird, build something fun, and let gravity settle the argument.

Event Time

Pop’s Pinewood Derby: 11:00 AM–2:00 PM

Car check in: 10a-11a

Location: Pop’s Pub

Date: June 20

Race Divisions

Kids Division: Ages 6–12

The Kids Division will follow traditional pinewood derby rules.

Parent assistance is allowed, but kids should lead the design choices as much as possible. Parents can help cut, sand, weigh, tune, and assemble, but this division is meant to celebrate the kids’ creativity.

Teen Division: Ages 13–17

The Teen Division gives racers a little more room for personality and creativity while still keeping the cars within standard race limits.

Cars should still follow the Standard Class rules, but creative themes, unique designs, and personality are highly encouraged.

Adult Division: Ages 18+

The Adult Division follows standard pinewood derby-style rules.

This division is mostly for dads, adults, and anyone who suddenly becomes an aerospace engineer for 48 hours.

Open Class / Nerd Division

This is where the laboratory doors get kicked off the hinges.

The Open Class is for cars that do not fit traditional rules but are still safe, gravity-powered, and able to run on the track. This division is for wild ideas, overbuilt machines, experimental designs, and people who own tiny scales and scare their spouses.

Open Class cars must still be safe, must fit on the track, and must be approved by race officials.

Standard Class Car Rules

The Kids, Teen, and Adult Divisions will follow Standard Class rules.

To race in a Standard Division, cars must meet the following requirements:

Maximum car weight: 5 ounces
Maximum car width: 2.75 inches
Maximum car length: 7 inches
Minimum clearance under the car: 3/8 inch
Cars must fit and run safely on the race track
Cars must be powered by gravity only
No motors, magnets, springs, fans, compressed air, chemicals, or active propulsion systems
Cars must have four wheels installed
Wheels must roll freely
Added weight is allowed as long as the car does not exceed 5 ounces
Decorations are encouraged but must be securely attached
No loose parts that could fall off during the race
Cars must not damage the track or interfere with other cars

Standard cars may be sanded, painted, polished, weighted, tuned, and decorated. Axles and wheels may be adjusted for performance, but the car must still meet the standard size, weight, and safety requirements.

If a car does not meet Standard Class rules, race officials may move it to the Open Class if appropriate.

Open Class Rules

Open Class cars may be more creative or heavily modified, but they must still follow these basic rules:

Cars must be powered by gravity only
Cars must fit safely on the track
Cars must not damage the track
Cars must not interfere with other cars
No motors, magnets, fans, rockets, compressed air, springs, or active propulsion systems
No dangerous, sharp, loose, or breakable parts
Cars must be stable enough to race safely
Race officials have final approval on whether a car may compete

The Open Class is meant to be fun and creative, but safety and track compatibility come first.

Registration

Racers are encouraged to preregister.

Registration: $10 per car

Car kits will be available for pickup at Pop’s Pub for $5

Racers may also bring their own car, but all cars must pass inspection before racing.

Car Check-In and Inspection

All cars must be checked in before racing.

At check-in, race officials may: