Pinewood derby
- Thread starter rmk4ever
- Start date
gogebic_sledder
Member
Two weeks ago my nephew raced a car that we built together for cub scouts. He won first place, he beat 35 other scouts. I don't know if I should be telling you this but the secret is(1)add weight just in front of rear axle as close to 5oz. total car weight as possible, I used a bowhunting arrow scale to get it exactly 5oz.(2) Raise one of the front wheels so it doesn't touch the ground, you eliminate 25% of the ground friction, this is the game changer.(3) polish the axles in a drill with super fine sand paper, but not too much you don't want the wheels to chatter going down the track. (4) use dry graphite on axles. The shape of the car means nothing just for looks. But depending on the track the car shape can give you a slight edge. On tracks that use the verticle rod at the starting gate if the front of the car is shaped like the bow of a boat you have an advantage. As the starting rod drops and falls away from the cars the car with the boat bow shape will start to travel down the track first, the other cars need the rod to be completely horizontal before they gain forward movement. This shape gives about a 3/4 inch advantage. My nephew has been banned from racing in the lower 48, just kidding have fun
lofsfire
Active member
Here is one I made for my 4 year old 2 weeks ago.
I Cut the basic shape then shaped it by hand. He did ok until another little boy decide to play Godzilla on a few cars my sons was the one the was thrown to the floor. I did do most of it, but really he's 4. He was there for everything except painting but he pick the color and sticker placement. 4.8 oz with all the weight around the rear wheels and more to the rear left with the front right wheel lifted just a hair. He lost right after the Godzilla hit not sure if it made a difference but it did not track straight after that. He did take 3rd out of the loosing cars.
Also the car that won had all the weight in the rear and looked like a drag car in the first few heats her car was at the end of the track before other cars where off the ramp. It was fast much faster than ours! Oh, and yes, her dad did all of it.
Also the car that won had all the weight in the rear and looked like a drag car in the first few heats her car was at the end of the track before other cars where off the ramp. It was fast much faster than ours! Oh, and yes, her dad did all of it.
