Table of Contents
How do you make a simple pinewood derby car?
What is the fastest shape for a Pinewood Derby car?
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 the best weight for a Pinewood Derby car?
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 heavier pinewood derby car 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.
What is the fastest wooden car?
In 2016, the “Pioneer Cedar Rocket” set a Guinness World Record for being the fastest motorized log car, reaching a top speed of 47.64 mph on the set of HGTV’s Timber Kings at the Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park in Chandler, Arizona.
How do you cut pinewood derby weights?
Each bar is 2 3/4″ long and can be broken or cut into 1/4″ segments. Just drill a 3/8″ hole in the back of your car, break off the exact amount of weight you need, slide them in. Glue or seal the hole with wood filler. Weights are made from lead-free Zinc for safe handling.
Should you bake your pinewood derby car?
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. Baking might remove more moisture but the block will quickly re-absorb the moisture after it is out of the oven and cooled down.
Are Bent axles legal in pinewood derby?
CAN I BEND AXLES AND QUALIFY FOR STOCK CAR OR PRO STOCK DIVISIONS? No. Bent axles are not allowed in either racing class.
What can I use for weights on a Pinewood Derby car?
Below are several suggestions for adding weights to your pinewood derby car. Zinc Top Weight. Lead Wire Weights. Tungsten Weights. Tungsten Canopy.
Are weights allowed in Pinewood Derby cars?
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.
How much weight does paint add to Pinewood Derby car?
Paint only adds a few grams (hundredths of a ounce). We generally weight up to 4.9 oz and then do the last weight adjustment at check-in.
Why does adding weight to a Pinewood Derby car make it go faster?
Simply put: the more weight you can shift towards the rear of the car, the more potential energy it will have. The key important term is POTENTIAL. It is believed that the more stored energy you have, the faster your car can travel.
Where should the weight be on a 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.
How fast do Pinewood Derby cars go mph?
A fast Pinewood Derby® car can reach a speed of nearly 20 miles per hour. Pretty good for a little block of wood!Jan 25, 2012.
What makes a winning soap box derby car?
The most effective brake design for a soap box derby car is a lever in the center of the car that the driver pulls, lowering a shoe or other rubber stopper underneath the car. Consensus is that adding weight gives the car more momentum (acceleration/top speed) and cuts down on air resistance/drag.
How much does a soap box derby car cost?
All cars come as part of a kit, which include the parts needed to assemble a racer. Car kits are purchased from the All-American Soap Box Derby in Akron, Ohio. Kit prices range from ~$600 to ~$750 including wheels, tax and shipping.
What makes a fast car fast?
Basically, the faster the crankshaft spins with the same amount of force, the more power an engine will make. A car with more hp than torque will always be quicker since this gives a car acceleration and speed. Higher torque doesn’t mean one vehicle will necessarily be faster than another, though.
How do you make a gravity car go faster?
If you want to go fast, the car needs minimal air resistance. As crazy as it sounds, a simple wedge shape car solves this problem. Don’t forget to slant the back of the car so it doesn’t drag when the car hits the bottom of the hill. Wheels – The wheels provided in the standard kit are excellent.
How do you cut a Pinewood Derby without a bandsaw?
If you don’t have access to a band saw, a coping saw will do. Coping saws are economical and can cut unusual shapes and curves. Coping Saws are intended for cutting curves in thin material but they can be used for cutting your Pinewood Derby car.
What is the Pinewood Derby world record?
The longest Pinewood Derby track is 554.53 m (1,819 ft 3.75 in) and was built by the Boy Scouts of America Mid-America Council (USA) at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park in Ashland, Nebraska, USA on 15 October 2016. The successful Pinewood Derby car was provided by Glenn Jewkes of Jewkes Engineering.
How long does Pinewood Derby last?
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.
