…as told by Don Murphy, the inventor of the pinewood derby. Don Murphy tells the story of how he invented the idea of racing miniature cars down a track for his Cub Scout Pack 280c. Read the full history and see Don’s drawings of the original track, original kit, and original car design.
When was the first Pinewood Derby?
Murphy enlisted the help of Pack Committee members to create and assemble the kits which were handed out to the boys in brown paper bags. Some of the Cub Scout dads built a 31′ race ramp. The first Pinewood Derby was held on May 15, 1953 at the Scout House at Manhattan Beach.
Why is it called Pinewood Derby?
Pinewood Derby is a Cub Scout racing event. Cub scouts create small cars, usually from kits that contain a piece of pine (hence the name, pinewood), 4 plastic tires, and 4 nails to use as the axles.
What’s a derby car?
Pinewood derby cars are made from kits containing a wood block, plastic wheels and metal nails for axles. The completed cars race down a multi-lane track powered by gravity and slowed by friction and wind resistance.
What makes a 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.
Who came up with Pinewood Derby?
Cubmaster Don Murphy
A lot has changed since Cubmaster Don Murphy dreamed up the idea for the Pinewood Derby in 1953. But a lot has stayed the same, too. The Pinewood Derby is still about Cub Scouts and their parents turning four plastic wheels, four nails and some wood into a custom race car.
Who invented pinewood derby cars?
Don Murphy
…as told by Don Murphy, the inventor of the pinewood derby. Don Murphy tells the story of how he invented the idea of racing miniature cars down a track for his Cub Scout Pack 280c.
How heavy can a Pinewood Derby car be?
5 ounces
MAX OUT YOUR CAR’S WEIGHT AT 5 OZ
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.
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 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 fast do Derby cars 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.
What is the toughest Derby car?
The Chrysler Imperial, ’64 through ’67, is the hardest car ever made for the general public. Most demolition derby competitions don’t allow it — it’s simply too powerful.
When was the first car Derby?
One source says that Don Basile is often credited with inventing the demolition derby at Carrell Speedway in 1947. Another source states stock car racer Larry Mendelsohn created the concept for demolition derbies at New York State’s Islip Speedway in 1958 after realizing many people favored wrecks to racing.
How long does it take to build a derby car?
How long does it take to build a pinewood derby car? Plan on at least one day to cut and sand the car, another day to paint it and a third day to add decals and the wheels and axles.
Why is a heavier Pinewood Derby car faster?
Weights. One of the most important ways to make a fast pinewood derby car is by adding weights. Because the cars are relatively light, they need to overcome friction and air resistance when navigating down the racetrack. Most modern tracks feature an initial slope followed by a long, flat section.
Why do you bake a Pinewood Derby car?
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.
Why is Pinewood cheap?
While oak trees take about 20 years to reach maturity (to start producing acorns), pine trees only take 1.5 to 3 years. The faster growth rate means that pine is often a cheaper option than oak as it’s easier to grow new trees quickly.
Does Pinewood break easily?
Is pine furniture durable enough to last? Yes. While pine wood is softer than hardwood varieties, it offers a good deal of stiffness, strength and shock resistance. Pine wood is also more resistant to shrinking and swelling.
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.
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.
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).