What Pinewood Derby car design is fastest?
The Black PRO Car is our fastest pinewood derby car. It pushes the Speed Limit! It is track-tested car ready to race featuring our race winning PRO friction-free BSA Ultra-Lite graphite-coated wheels and PRO BSA graphite-coated grooved axles.
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).
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.
Is graphite legal in pinewood derby?
Weight of the car cannot exceed 5 ounces. 5. Liquid graphite is not allowed. See Dogwood District Pinewood Derby Rules for complete listing of all event rules.
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.
How thin should a pinewood derby car be?
1/4″ is thin enough. Most of my cars are 1/4″ in the rear and taper to the front. By making the car much thinner then that, you are putting yourself at risk for the car breaking. It is possible to make them thinner, but it is not really needed.
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.
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.
How do I make my Pinewood Derby car shine?
Use a final gloss clear paint coat to give your car an extra shine. Some people use car wax but clear paint gives better results. You will get better results if you give your car several light coats of paint rather than one or two thick coats. Sand your car lightly after the first coat of paint dries.
Where should pinewood derby center of gravity be?
Many pinewood car building experts agree that the ideal CG location is about ¾” just forward of the rear axle (assumes a standard pinewood derby car wheel base of 4 3/8”).
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.
Is Heavier better for Pinewood Derby?
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 do you make a Pinewood Derby car super fast?
Bake Your Block. Baking your Pinewood Derby wooden block helps to remove the moisture so that you have more wiggle room to add extra weight at the end. Max Out Your Weight at the Regulation 5 Ounces. Use All of the Graphite. Sand and Polish Your Wheels and Axles. Add Decals.
What is a good pinewood derby time?
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).
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.
What is the best way to add weight to a pinewood derby car?
Sand and paint your block but do not add the wheels. When the paint has dried, mount the weight on the top of your car as far to the rear as possible. The weight should not extend past the rear of the car. Glue bottom weights to the bottom of the block to bring the total weight (including wheels and axles) to 5 oz.
Should you sand Pinewood Derby wheels?
The hub can be coned using a lathe, a rotary tool or drill press with a grinder bit, or a special hub tool for pinewood derby wheels. When the plastic has been removed, the hub surface should be sanded first with #220 and then #400 sandpaper and buffed with a plastic polish.
How long does a Pinewood Derby last?
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.
Where do you put the center of gravity on a pinewood derby car?
Center of gravity placement should be between 1⁄2″ – 1″ in front of the rear axle. This is true for all wheel base types. Whether you are using a standard wheelbase or an extended wheelbase.
What’s the best 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.