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. There are many ways to run a Pinewood Derby, and most of the rest of the rules and procedures can vary somewhat from Pack to Pack, or District to District.
How do you win a Pinewood Derby race?
10 Tips for 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 does Pinewood Derby work?
During the event, Cub Scouts race small, driverless wooden cars down a sloped track. The cars are powered only by gravity. With an adult’s help, each Pinewood Derby car is built by a Cub Scout using a kit that includes a wooden block, plastic wheels and metal axles.
Where do you want most of the weight of a 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.
What makes a Pinewood Derby car go faster?
5 Quick & Easy Tips For Improving Your Pinewood Derby Car’s Speed
- Put all of your weight in the back.
- Lube the car at the body/wheel friction point.
- Spend a fair amount of time on axle prep.
- Make sure your wheels are ready.
- Finally, once your wheels are mounted, check their alignment.
How do you pick a Derby winner?
5 Key Tips to Pick a Derby Winner
- Derby Tip #1: Consider the Pace of the Races.
- Derby Tip #2: Stamina Matters.
- Derby Tip #3: What Class Are Horses From?
- Derby Tip #4: Don’t Ignore the Jockeys!
- Derby Tip #5: Favorites Have Dominated, but Underdogs Are Coming Back.
- Exacta Bet.
- Trifecta Bet.
- Superfecta Bet.
What are the rules for Pinewood Derby car?
All cars must pass the following inspection to qualify for the race:
- Width shall not exceed 2-3/4 inches.
- Length shall not exceed 7 inches.
- Weight shall not exceed 5 ounces.
- Axles, wheels, and body shall be from the materials provided in the kit.
- Wheel bearings, washers, and bushings are prohibited.
What is a good time for a Pinewood Derby car?
Pinewood Derby Results. The average times with just weight added was 3.288 seconds. There was 0.188 seconds between the fastest and slowest car, about 23 inches. The average time was 2.994 seconds, about 44 inches faster than without graphite (0.353 seconds).
How long does a Pinewood Derby race last?
about two minutes
How long does it take to run the race? From user reports, with the RaceManager each heat should last about two minutes (or less!) per racer. See Running the Race for an explanation.
Should you bake your Pinewood Derby car?
Per the Pinewood Derby rules, the car’s weight shouldn’t exceed 5 ounces. One way to ensure your car doesn’t exceed the weight limit is to bake the block! Naturally, wood holds water, and water adds weight. You’ll want to help your Scout by baking the block in an oven at 250 degrees for one hour.
Is it better to put weight 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 fastest pinewood derby Shape?
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.
What is a fast speed for pinewood derby car?
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.
What is the perfect weight for a pinewood derby car?
The more your pine car weighs, the faster it will go on a downhill ramp. Most rules specify a 5 oz. maximum weight. Most Pinewood Derby cars weigh between 1.5 oz and 3.5 oz (depending on design) without weights so a car may need 3.5 oz or more of additional weight.
Is a lighter pinewood derby car faster?
As far as wheels are concerned, typically lighter wheels are faster. This is because there is a certain amount of energy needed to start the pinewood derby car to roll when the starting pin drops. The lighter the wheels, the less energy is required to start rolling, so cars can get a jump at the starting line.
Does a heavier pinewood derby car go faster?
Weight and Distribution
One of the most fundamental rules in the Pinewood Derby is the maximum weight limit of 5.000 ounces, or 141.643 grams. Simple physical principles dictate that a heavier car will run faster.
How often do Derby favorites win?
Bet the favorites
You won’t stumble into high-priced winners, but hey—winning sure beats losing, no matter what the payoff. Favorites win 35% of the time in the Kentucky Derby, a success rate that more or less holds true for all other North American horse races.
Who are Derby favorites?
Kentucky Derby Post Positions, Odds
- Mo Donegal (10-1)
- Happy Jack (30-1)
- Epicenter (7-2)
- Summer Is Tomorrow (30-1)
- Smile Happy (20-1)
- Messier (8-1)
- Crown Pride (20-1)
- Charge It (20-1)
How is a Derby judged?
Two judges will judge the derby to make up a judging panel. Judges will sit together and produce one numerical score. Scores will consist of a Classic round and a Handy round, final placings to be determined based upon the combination of the two scores. Soundness will be reflected in the class scores.
Can you reuse a Pinewood Derby car?
Basically, this year’s cars must be built from new materials (car body, wheels and axles) found in the official Pinewood Derby kit, however parts of cars, such as weights, from previous years may be reused.
How long does a Pinewood Derby take?
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.