The longest pinewood derby track measured 97.54 m (320 ft) and was built by the Boston Minuteman Council and Boy Scouts of America (USA) in Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
What is the fastest Pinewood Derby car design?
But aerodynamics rule the day, and the best shape is a simple wedge. Just like a spoiler on the rear of a sports car, the wedge shape allows as much air to flow over the top of the car without hinderance while keeping the car pinned to the track.
How do you win Pinewood Derby secrets?
10 Tips and Tricks to a Fast and Cool Looking Pinewood Derby Car
- Bake your block.
- Max out your weight at the regulation 5 ounces.
- Use all of the graphite.
- Sand and polish your wheels and axles.
- Check alignment.
- Spend time sanding.
- Use a high-quality paint.
- Add decals.
How fast does the average Pinewood Derby car go?
The Speed of Pinewood Derby Cars
The distribution plot below shows a range of speeds from 177 mph to 229 mph, with most cars exceeding 200 mph.
Do heavier Pinewood Derby cars go faster?
Much has been written about the physics of pinewood derby cars, and this is one rare case in racing where heavy = fast. Aerodynamics have little effect in such a short race, but weight does and putting the weight at the back of the car will make your car faster on the flat of the track.
Should I bake my Pinewood Derby block?
Should I bake the pinewood derby block? The short answer is no, do not bake the block. The idea behind baking the block is to remove moisture which will make the block lighter. You can then add more weight to the back of the car.
Where is the heaviest Pinewood Derby car?
Science says the heaviest part of your car should be about 1 inch in front of the rear axle. The idea is that the farther back the weight is, the more potential energy you have because your center of mass is higher up on the track.
Where is the best place to put weight on a Pinewood Derby car?
Best Location to Weight Your Pinewood Derby Car
When deciding on where to weight your car, you should try to reach a final balance point of the car 1 inch or less in front of the rear axle. To achieve this, place 2/5 of the added weight behind the rear axle, and the remaining 3/5 in front of the rear axle.
How do I find the winner of my Pinewood Derby car?
All races are run on a system of elimination by head-to-head heats. Timing of contestants has no bearing in determining winners. Cars must start from a stand still at the top of the track, and are powered only by gravity. The car whose nose is first over the finish line is the winner.
Do aerodynamics matter in Pinewood Derby?
A more aerodynamic car (but very similar for other things) doesn’t give you much bang for your buck. Friction will get you. If you can reduce the coefficient of friction by just a little bit, it will make a noticeable difference. If you let your kids do most of the work, they will gain more than a win.
Is it legal to sand Pinewood Derby wheels?
Wheels may be lightly sanded and polished to remove imperfections. This light sanding and polishing is the only wheel modification allowed.
Is a shorter Pinewood Derby car faster?
The longer the wheel base, the greater the turning distance (a short car turns much more quickly than a long car).
Can a Pinewood Derby car have 3 wheels?
You may sand the wheels to remove the seam or other imperfections on the surface, but the profile may not be changed (i.e. you can’t make the wheel width thinner). c. Cars can run with 3 wheels touching the track, but the 4th must be installed.
Should I glue Pinewood Derby axles?
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.
Should weight be on top or bottom of Pinewood Derby car?
Weight should be placed towards the rear of the car. You can drill the weight holes in the bottom, side or rear of the car as shown in these examples. Stay at least 1/8″ away from the axle slots.
What is the best type of paint to use on a Pinewood Derby car?
Acrylic Paint
High-quality, Testors-Model Master acrylic paints are easy to apply, wash up with water, and most importantly, provide a great finish for your pinewood derby car.
Can a Pinewood Derby car be too heavy?
Assuming all other factors are equal, a heavier car will be faster than a lighter car. The Pinewood Derby rules limit the weight of each car to 5 ounces.
Can a Pinewood Derby car be shorter than 7 inches?
Length and Wheelbase of Pinewood Derby Cars. The length of your Pinewood Derby car is very simple to choose. The rules state a maximum 7-inch length. You want the car to be that long, minus just a little bit (say 1/16″) to allow for judging and measurement slop.
Can you use duct tape on a Pinewood Derby car?
No tape will be allowed and no other lubing or modifications will be permitted.
How long does a Pinewood Derby last?
about 12 days
A regular Pinewood Derby race on a 40-foot track lasts a couple of seconds. The Pinewood Derby Race Across America is expected to last about 12 days.
What is the Pinewood Derby weight limit?
5 ounces
WEIGHT: Maximum allowable weight is 5 ounces. The scale used the day of the race and weight recorded will be considered “OFFICIAL”. Even though a car may have weighed at or under 5 ounces using the same scale at a previous race, we are concerned with the weight on the current race day.