2024

The possibilities are endless when it comes to picking a shape for your Pinewood Derby car. Before you begin, consider the following general guidelines:

Avoid designs with a pointed nose. A pointed nose will make it difficult for your Pinewood Derby car to rest on the pin at the starting gate. It may also cause your Pinewood Derby car to get bumped around when the pin drops, and it can create problems for electronic timing systems.

Leave enough wood in the rear of the Pinewood Derby car so you can place additional weight there. You will end up placing most of the weight in the rear of the Pinewood Derby car.

Make the maximum weight. Your car should weigh as much as it’s allowed. In most races, a Pinewood Derby car’s weight is limited to 5 ounces. If your car weighs less than that, add coins or other weights.

Be sure that it is very clear which end of your Pinewood Derby car is the front and which end is the back. In many races, the race officials —- not you -— will actually place each Pinewood Derby car on the track. Sometimes the officials put the Pinewood Derby car on the track backward because they can’t tell which end is which.

Pinewood Derby cars with aerodynamic profiles go faster. Choose a design that allows the air to move over and around the Pinewood Derby car body in a smooth manner.

Designing and Building a Winning Pinewood Derby Car

You don’t have to strive for the fastest Pinewood Derby car to have fun competing in your Pinewood Derby. But if you and a helpful adult are willing to put in the extra time and effort, these tips are for you.

1. Bake the Block: Start with your block of wood, and before you do anything else, bake it in the oven at 250 degrees for around two hours to remove moisture and make it lighter. This will allow you to place more weight to the rear of the Pinewood Derby car where you actually want it.

2. Create the Design: Draw the outline of your Pinewood Derby car on a sheet of paper, cut it out and attach it to your block of wood. 

Remember, a rectangular car is not an aerodynamic design. The most basic aerodynamic design is a simple wedge. If you don’t have time to design a complex car, a wedge will work just fine.

3. Rough Cut the Design: Use a coping saw to cut out the rough shape of your Pinewood Derby car. You can also ask a responsible adult to make these cuts using a power tool.

4. Shape Your Car: Use sand paper to smooth your car’s edges and shape it to your design. An adult can also use a rotary tool or other tool to help you.

5. Sand and Paint the Pinewood Derby Car: Make it smooth to reduce friction and paint an awesome design to make it look great.

6. Install Axles and Wheels: Make sure they are aligned perfectly straight. You can test the alignment of your axles by pushing your car across a smooth floor or table. It should roll smoothly in a straight line.

— Make a Three-Wheeler: Raise one wheel about 1/16 inch higher so it never actually touches the track. Less friction = more speed. Rules vary from pack to pack, so make sure to check your pack’s Pinewood Derby rules to make sure three wheelers are allowed in your race.

— Extend the Wheelbase: The front and rear wheels should be as far apart as possible. Again, make sure this is allowed in your race.

— Polish the Axels: Polishing your Pinewood Derby car's axles and wheels may be the most important factor in building a fast car.

7. Create Glue Holes: Glue the axles firmly in their holes to ensure that they stay perfectly placed, but make sure you don’t get glue on your wheels.

8. Add Weight: Remember to make your Pinewood Derby car as heavy as the rules allow. In general, it’s best to place weight to the rear of your car because a heavier rear increases speed. 

9. Lubricate the Wheel Well: Add graphite or another dry lubricant to reduce friction. The less friction between the body and wheel, the better.

And finally, remember the No. 1 rule of a Pinewood Derby is that it’s supposed to be fun. While you should always strive to do your best, don’t get caught up in winning or having the fastest car. Just enjoy the ride.

https://www.pinewoodpro.com/pinewood-derby-beginners.php

https://www.derbymonkeygarage.com/pinewood-derby

https://www.maximum-velocity.com/pinewood-derby-kit-help

YOUTUBE IS A GREAT RESOURCE ALSO.

Send your questions to cubmaster@pack9060.org

Does the Scout have to perform all of the work?

No. The Scout should be INVOLVED in all of the work. This event is meant to be a memorable family activity.  It is understood that Cubs will not have the skills necessary to perform all of the tasks needed to make a Pinewood Derby car.  At a minimum, the Scout should be the designer.  Then, as the Scout gets older, they will be able to perform more and more of the tasks themselves, but it should STILL be a team effort.

Do I have to use the kit provided?

Yes, you must use an official BSA or BSA approved kit.  You MUST use official BSA wheels and axels.  Additionally, the wheels MUST be attached to a signle piece of pinewood block. You can add any other materials to the car as you desire, as long as the official kit is your foundation.

Can I use "aftermarket" parts?

No and Yes.   No, you may not use aftermarket, or modded/enhanced versions of wheels or axels.  You MUST use the official BSA wheels and axels. However, you MAY add any other aftermarket parts you would like, such as lights; Lego figures; cockpits, fins, pipes, etc. to make your car's design stand out from the rest. 

How much of the original pinewood block must be used?

You may cut down and shape the pinewood block to any size or shape, as long as all of the wheels are attached to the same single piece of pinewood.

How strict are the final dimension requirements?

The height of your car can be taller than the requirement. However, if it is too tall, it won't pass under the laser gate at the finish line.  That height will vary depending on the track used.  Please try to keep your height reasonable or you may not be able to race.

The length of your car can be longer than the requirement. However, if it is too long, it will not fit on the starting section of track, or it will get stuck in the curve at the bottom of the starting hill.  Please try to keep your length reasonable or you may not be able to race.

The width requirement is strict in order to avoid contact with other cars.

The ground clearance and wheelbase requirements are strict in order to ensure that the cars are compatible with the lanes on the track.

Am I allowed to make adjustments to my car mid race?

No.  Once your car is checked in, you may not modify your car in any way.  If a car performs exceptionally poorly during the Time Trial heats, Pack Leaders may elect to make modifications to the car to ensure that it will perform to an acceptable level as deemed appropriate by the Pack Leaders.  However, once the Elimination Rounds have begun, there will be NO modifications allowed to any of the cars due to performance issues.  Pack Leaders may elect to make modifications to a car in the event of a catastrophic failure such as to fix a car which becomes damaged after somehow experiencing a crash, ensuring that it is able to continue to race in future heats.

Do I have to use the precut axle slots?

No.  You are free to drill new holes to attach the axles to your car. You can move them forward or backward as you desire. However, the wheels MUST remain the same width apart, or they will not line up properly with the channels on the race track.