The

Pinewood Derby

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1. Have your son draw a design on paper then cut it out and use it as a template. I use the paper with the little squares on it to make it easier for him. Draw a side and top view on the paper by tracing around the block of wood.

2. Keep the car a full seven inches. It has to do with the physics of velocity and length of travel of the weights.

3. Use the full 2 3/4 inches (outside wheel to outside wheel) that the rules give you. This will allow the wheels to travel farther before hitting the center strip.

4. Leave a lot of wood in the back to put in the weights.

5. Use the groove closest to the end of the block of wood as the rear axle. Trust me, it helps. If you are interested in discussing the physics, please e-mail me.

6. Do not make the front of the car pointed. It is hard to set up against the starting dowels.

7. Be aware of how sensitive your electronic timers are. You want the car to set them off at the end of the race and not before.

8. Use your imagination. Be creative. Shape has the least to do with winning. A beaver driving a log or even a pickup truck is more interesting than a wedge and will be just as fast. The aerodynamics of a small block of wood doesn't mean much in thirty feet.

Hot Dog

Banana

Shark

Watermelon Wedge

Dragster Rocket Car

Swiss Cheese Wedge with a Mouse Driver

Ice Cream Bar

Batmobile

Carrot Ridden by a Rabbit

Police Car

Pencil

Tow Truck

Coffin Ridden by a Skeleton

Giant Lego Car

Fire Truck

Train Engine

Ambulance with Lights

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