How to Win a Pinewood Derby
To win a Cub Scouts Pinewood Derby, you must build a fast car. While the same car kits are provided to every participant before the race, how you choose to create your car will mean the difference between winning and losing.
Instructions
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Low profile
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1
In order to reduce wind resistance, design your car to have a low profile (skinny at the front) and a smooth trajectory from front to back. Sand down the nose so it's rounded, not square.
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2
The wheel axle nails that come with the car kit need to be sanded and then polished to remove any potential friction with the wheels or car body. Use a fine sandpaper to remove all burrs.
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3
Put weight in the back. It is recommended that the pinewood car be cut lighter than the 5-ounce limit so that additional weights can be added to the rear of the car, which will make it faster down the track and through the flat surface to the finish. You can use cheaper lead ball bearings (be careful when handling lead), or the more expensive tungsten. These can be placed in the lower rear of the car.
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4
Hit the weight maximum. A lighter car does not mean a faster car. A heavy car is pulled down the slope by gravity and will generate more speed through the straightaway than a lighter car. Therefore, make sure your car meets the weight maximum (usually 5 ounces for the Pinewood Derby).
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5
Check your alignment. If your car doesn't roll straight during the race, the friction it generates as it bumps the side walls of its lane will cost you valuable time. Roll your car down a smooth inclined surface, making sure it rolls perfectly straight.
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6
Your wheels should spin smoothly and easily. Take your finger and spin the wheels. They should rotate for 20 to 30 seconds without impediment. If not, resand the wheel axles and use a graphite lubricant on the areas where the wheels meet the axle/car body.
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