How to Make a Pinewood Derby Racing Car

The Pinewood Derby is an event every Cub Scout looks forward to each year. When it comes to making your first derby car, a few basic steps will get you started. Customize the car with any ideas or additions your Scout likes.

Instructions

Carve your Car Shell

1. Choose a car style. Pick a long slender car, a large bulky option, a truck or a unique design like an airplane, shark or space ship.

2. Draw the profile of your car design on the side of the wood chunk.

3. Carve the design out with a small saw, knife, carving or sanding tool.

4. Sand the entire surface first with a coarse grain sand paper, working your way down to a finer grain until the car body is completely smooth.

Paint and Decorate the Car

1. Spray paint the entire car using the base coat color you want. Let the first coat dry, and cover with a second coat.

2. Sand the painted car with a super fine sand paper to remove any grit.

3. Add any sticker decals or paint designs on the car freehand. Find pinewood derby stickers at hobby stores or online to add decorative elements to the car.

4. Paint or add sticker decals for windows, head lights, tail lights or any other car parts.

Add Tires and Accessories

1. Use a rubber mallet to tap axel with tire into the bottom of the car body. There should be grooves already cut in the pinewood derby block when you get it.

2. Balance out the tires by rolling the car back and forth on a flat surface. Make sure there is a 1 3/4 inch space between tires to allow the car to fit on the track.

3. Add weights to make your car as heavy as you want up to the maximum weight of 5 ounces. Buy special pinewood derby weights or use nails, coins or sinkers.

4. Test car on slightly elevated surface to make sure it runs smoothly, adjust weight if needed.

Tips & Warnings

• Try to adjust the tires so only three actually touch the surface. Less friction means faster times.

• Add as much weight as you can in the back of the car to make it go faster.

Resources

• Find car plans, decals and more.
• Information and resources about pinewood derby cars.