Pinewood derby software for Mac: what actually runs

For years, running a derby on a Mac meant borrowing a Windows laptop from somebody's office. A lot of the classic derby programs were Windows-only. That's changed, and if the only laptop your pack or club has is a MacBook, you're fine. Here's what works and how to set it up so race night goes smoothly.

Your options on a Mac

Browser-based: Derby Dashboard

Derby Dashboard runs in a web browser, so a Mac is just another laptop to it. Install Chrome or Edge (both are free), open the app, and install it from the address bar. After that it keeps working offline, so a weak signal in the gym doesn't matter. If someone brings a Windows laptop or a Chromebook next year instead, it works the same way there.

Results are entered by a judge today; we're actively working on support for USB track timers, and it's coming soon.

DerbyNet

DerbyNet is free and open source. Its server runs on a Mac (or Windows, Linux or a Raspberry Pi), and screens and phones connect to it through a browser. It supports electronic timers through a small companion program. It takes more setup than a browser app, so it suits groups with a volunteer who's comfortable running a local server.

GrandPrix Race Manager

GrandPrix Race Manager has been around since 2002 and is a long-time favorite for both pinewood derbies and Awana Grand Prix races. Its maker says the 2026 version runs on Windows and macOS. It's paid software with a free demo, and add-ons like instant replay and phone access are sold separately.

A spreadsheet

Numbers, Excel or Google Sheets can carry a small race. Our spreadsheet guide shows the simple way to do it, in four steps.

Setting up a MacBook for race night

Most Mac trouble at a derby isn't the software. It's the laptop doing something helpful at the wrong moment. Ten minutes of setup the night before prevents nearly all of it.

1. Get the right adapter

Newer MacBooks only have USB-C or Thunderbolt ports. Most church and school projectors want HDMI, and some older ones want VGA. Find out what the room has and bring the matching adapter, plus a spare. A $15 adapter is the most common thing missing at a derby.

2. Extend, don't mirror

Once the projector is plugged in, open System Settings → Displays and set the projector to extend your desktop rather than mirror it. That way the crowd sees the race screen while you keep the controls on the laptop. Drag the big-screen window onto the projector and make it full screen.

3. Allow pop-ups for the race software

Derby Dashboard opens the big screens as their own windows. The first time, Chrome or Edge may block them. Click the blocked pop-up icon in the address bar and choose to always allow pop-ups for the site.

4. Stop the Mac from sleeping

Plug in the charger, and in System Settings set the display and computer to stay awake while plugged in (look under Lock Screen and Battery or Energy, depending on your macOS version). Nothing quiets a gym like a projector going dark in heat 30.

5. Turn on Do Not Disturb

Turn on a Focus mode such as Do Not Disturb so text messages and calendar alerts don't pop up on the projector in front of 80 people.

6. Do a full dry run

A week out, set up the real Mac with the real projector and race a handful of cars all the way through the awards. Check that the screen fits the projector and that you can read it from the back of the room. The projector guide has more on screen setup.

A note on timers and Macs

If you plan to connect an electronic timer, test it on the Mac you'll actually use. Some timers connect through a USB-to-serial adapter that needs its own driver on macOS, and some derby programs support more timers than others. Bring the timer's cable to your dry run, not just the track.