Apr 6, 2024 @ 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Indiana State Museum
Pinewood Derby® | Best in Show Contest & Race Day
On your mark, get set, roll — it’s the second–greatest spectacle in racing! The Indiana State Museum invites you to race your Pinewood Derby cars and watch as they zip down the two-story, 125-foot track and across the finish line. Alumni derby racers can brush the dust off their own Pinewood Derby cars and new racers can fine-tune their car creations or borrow one from the museum’s line-up.
Pinewood Derby runs March 27-30 and April 3-8; Race Day is TODAY, April 6
Price: Included with museum admission; $2/Access Pass members*; $5/Indiana college student with ID*; $7/BSA Scouts and Girl Scouts and their families*
*Tickets must be purchased in person with proof of eligibility.
Race Day
Race Day registration will take place from 8:30-10:30 a.m., with the race beginning at 11 a.m. All cars must be registered by 10:30 a.m. Only registered racers will have the chance to race on Race Day. In addition to racing, visitors can expect hands-on activities throughout the museum inspired by racing and modes of transportation.
"Best in Show" competition
Participation in the ‘Best in Show’ competition is included in museum admission, there is no extra charge. Visitors wishing to participate in the ‘Best in Show’ competition must enter their cars for judging by 2 p.m. day of. Awards are based on visual design. Cars will be displayed, and judging will take place between 2-4:30 p.m. that afternoon followed by an awards presentation between 4:30-5 p.m.
Rules & Guidelines
The “Best in Show” contest focuses on style over function, but entries must still meet the following guidelines:
Participants must register in the appropriate category: Youth (ages 5-16) or Adult (ages 17+).
The overall length of the car shall not exceed 7 inches.
The overall width of the car shall not exceed 2 inches.
Four wheels must be on the car.
Car must be made of wood.
All entries for Best in Show are for the Best in Show competition only. Best in Show participants are not eligible to race in the Pinewood Championship Race.
Youth Category
Indiana: These cars must be representative of something about the state of Indiana, its commerce or its culture.
Out of this world: Celebrate the Solar Eclipse by creating a car inspired by space.
STEM: These cars must be representative of science, technology, engineering or math.
Most Creative: Uniquely designed cars that do not fit into one of the previously stated categories.
Adult Category
Indiana State Museum: These cars must be representative of the Indiana State Museum or its historic sites, its collection, areas of research or expertise, mission or values.
Out of this world: Celebrate the Solar Eclipse by creating a car inspired by space.
Most Creative: Uniquely designed cars that do not fit into the previously stated category.
