Packs around the country are preparing to hold their annual pinewood derby. There are many ways to make your pinewood derby car go faster. Here are some of them.
GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR CAR DESIGN
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AUDIO SLIDESHOW: Watch as members of Pack 10 in Cornelius, N.C., prepare and race their cars in a pinewood derby. (Slideshow by Patrick Schneider) |
The possibilities are endless when it comes to picking a shape for your pinewood derby car. Before you begin, consider the following guidelines:
DESIGNING THE ULTIMATE CAR
You don’t have to strive for the “ultimate car” to build a fast car and have fun competing in your pinewood derby. But if you and a helpful adult are willing to put in the extra time and effort, these tips are for you.
CHOOSING YOUR AXLES
Not all axles are created equal. Here’s a tip on choosing the straightest out of your bunch.
Start with a set of about 20 raw axles.
Can you tell the difference between the axles in the top row and the ones on the bottom? The ones on the bottom aren’t straight and will slow your car.
To tell which are straight and which aren’t, mark each axle with a marker about 1/2 inch from the pointed end.
Have an adult clamp a power drill into a vise, a device that will hold it perfectly still.
Bent axles will wobble as they turn in the drill. Straight axles will hardly wobble at all. Pick the ones that wobble least.WANT MORE SECRETS?
Pick up a copy of “Pinewood Derby Speed Secrets” (BSA Supply No. 30538, 1-800-323-0736, www.scoutstuff.org) for lots more info on building the car body, preparing the axles and wheels, alternatives to the “ultimate car” and putting it all together.
And once you’ve built your car, get ideas on making it look great from “Pinewood Derby Designs & Patterns” (DK Publishing, $12.95 softcover), also available from a BSA retail store. Remember: The No. 1 rule of a pinewood derby is that it’s supposed to be fun. While you should always strive to do your best, don’t get caught up in winning. Just enjoy the ride.
The Pinewood Derby Tool Set includes all the things you need to cut, shape and sand your derby car. It comes with a coping saw, four blades, a hand file, a sanding stick and extra sandpaper. $17.99. BSA Supply No. 17371, 1-800-323-0736, www.scoutstuff.org.
I really like this idea.;)
This is the best idea ever.I got 2 place in the pinewood derby.
i like this.! ; )
I would go with a more simple design.
Heres a tip to win best sportsmanship trophy;shake everybodys hand that you race against thats how i won best sportsmanship
I beat my whole pack in 2008. Beat about half of District. But didn’t get any rewards.
I will make mine look like a wing of an airplane
Speed secrets book, Is a good book! Just keep in mind the rules for your pack’s race! (IT’S NO FUN IF YOU CANT RACE!) As some pack’s have strict rules! When it comes to the mod’s you can and cannot do to the wheels and axels and the car body! Desings and patterns book, Has a great way to walk you threw step by step, If your looking to build a cool car! The different car patterns in this book! Will have first time builders say wow!
i like the tank
on my car i extended the weal base and put the weights on the back and i also put grafite on the wheels (THAT MADE THE MOST DIFRENCE)
those are my tips
i just build a awsome award-winner. or i used to. im aboy scout now.=(
I prefer to try to make my cars look cool not just go fast
in my first year in scouts (weblos1), i used similer tips and won against my whole pack!
my son has won 7 races and used these tips