3, 2, 1… The Branch Pinewood Derby Final is go!

September 15, 2026

On Saturday, September 12, Scouts SA and the Cub Scout section hosted the Branch Pinewood Derby Final. It was a massive day, filled with excitement, camaraderie and, most of all, incredibly fast racing!

Cub Scouts from across the state gathered at the Adventurous Activity Centre in Glenelg, which was decked out in racing-themed decorations, to find out who would be crowned the Branch Pinewood Derby Champion! It was a fantastic turnout, with 129 people coming along for the day.

The event got off to a feverish start with the Wildcard Race. Twenty heats took place to determine the final entrants into the Branch Final. Races were frantic, action-packed and too close to call. Fortunately, with replays and an official race time tracker, we were able to determine the final lineup.

Wildcard Race Results

  1. Dom – Mt Gambier 1st Cub Unit
  2. Logan – Angle Vale Cub Unit
  3. Wiktor – Salisbury 1st Cub Unit

Before the finale got underway, everyone enjoyed a lovely BBQ lunch and the beautiful weather as they geared themselves up for the big race.

The Branch Pinewood Derby Final featured 52 gruelling heats to determine our top racers. The Adventurous Activity Centre was jam-packed with Cubs, volunteers and family members, as everyone kept their eyes glued to the track for the nail-biting results.

While the finalists were being determined, every Cub in attendance voted for the Most Popular Pinewood Derby Car, based on their favourite design. This was ultimately won by Jasper from the Stradbroke Cub Unit, with an awesome Minion-themed vehicle known as the Minion Car, complete with its very own LED screen!

Next was the highly anticipated Leaders’ Race, featuring knockout rules. If you finish last, you’re out. Ultimately, the race was taken out by surprise entrant Poppy, who showed the Leaders how it’s done on the track!

Leaders’ Race Results

  1. Poppy
  2. Alister Waters – Flagstaff Hill Cub Unit
  3. James Rooney – Ascot Park Cub Unit

Finally, the Branch Pinewood Derby Final had arrived! The remaining racers went head-to-head to see who could come out on top. The building was loud, with fellow Cubs cheering each other on.

In the end, it was Matilda from Belair who was crowned Champion, outracing the competition to claim victory. It turns out winning runs in the family, as Matilda is Poppy’s sister! Boston from Pembroke came in second, while Dom, the Wildcard Race winner who made the long trip from Mt Gambier, rounded out the Top Three. Missing the Top Three by a fraction of a second was Ollie from Angle Vale, who finished in fourth place after a fantastic effort.

Branch Pinewood Derby Final Results

  1. Matilda – Belair Cub Unit
  2. Boston – Pembroke Cub Unit
  3. Dom – Mt Gambier 1st Cub Unit

Once the races ended, the awards were handed out and thanks were given to everyone who helped organise the event, one thing was clear: the Branch Pinewood Derby Final was a tremendous success.

In the end, the event was best summarised by a young Cub named Claire: Pinewood Derby “isn’t about winning everything, it’s just about having fun”, and we couldn’t agree more.