	Sign In Sign-Up

Speed tips for the Pinewood Derby

Two things make a derby car fast:

Wheels

Sand the outer surface of the wheels smooth; use a drill bit to smooth out the inside (hub) area. Put some graphite on the nails and attach the wheels on one side of the car. Make sure they spin freely.
Turn the car over and support it on two small wood blocks to protect the first two wheels. Attach the remaining wheels.
Turn the car upside down. Tap each nail (wheel axle) with the blade of a flat head screwdriver until all are straight in the slots.
Turn the car right side up. If you can wobble it, one wheel is higher than the others are. (A piece of paper will slide under the high wheel.) Adjust by tapping the opposite wheel 's nail down a little farther. Check again and repeat until the wobble is eliminated.

The unfinished pinewood block, wheels and nails, weighs less than three ounces. The closer you get to the five ounce (141.75 gram) maximum the faster the car will be.
Use metal, washers, bolts, screws, fishing weights, or weights obtained from the BSA store. It is best to use several pieces (e.g., a screw and some washers) to be able to adjust the weight lighter or heavier.
Check the weight several times during construction. Be sure to include the wheels and nails, accessories, and metal weights.
Locate weights in the back, bottom, or back of the car. You can drill holes to fit weights into or simple insert a screw into the wood.

Source: Scouting, September 1996