Vroom Vroom: Introducing the Pinewood Derby
On Track to Bring People Together
The Pinewood Derby has always been more than just a race.
A real slice of Americana, the Derby has traditionally been a way for kids to engage in some old fashioned competition and rule bending as they carve a race car out of an 8-inch block of pine. The cars are ultimately raced down a gravity track where creativity and style counts almost as much as your final time.
Having participated, cheered on, and strategized at quite a few derbies ourselves, we recently asked ourselves, why should this right of passage be limited to kids? The joy of designing, building, and racing is universal. Anyone who likes tinkering and a little competition belongs at the starting line.
So we built a track and brought the Derby into our woodshop.
The Set-Up
We have a 40 foot long, four lane regulation track. This speedway comes with a starting gate, automatic timer, and display for race results. You start with an 8” block of wood, four wheels and axles. We’ll show you how to use all the tools to design, build, and bling out your car.
The Rules
Your car may not weigh more than 5 ounces. That’s it!
Tips & Tricks
Looking for a leg up on your competition, eh? Here are some key concepts that will make your car fast.
Friction: Reducing friction is key to a quick car. Your stock axles probably have tiny burrs and ridges - try polishing your axles with a fine grit sandpaper, or lube them with some graphite.
Expert Challenge: Do you even need four wheels? Running on three wheels may remove one point of friction.
Weight: Get your car up to 5 ounces. Distributing the weight correctly will also impact speed. Placing weight just in front of the rear axle may help you get a longer push from gravity.
Expert Challenge: Try hollowing out the under carriage of the car replacing the wood with heavier nuts and washers.
Aerodynamics: Blocky shapes slow you down. The standard wedge cuts through the air. Even rounding off corners, or sloping the nose can give you an edge. Keep in mind, an unbalanced shape and high center of gravity may also slow you down.
Expert Challenge: Pick a race car from real life and try and imitate its shape for your own DIY hot wheel.
Also, PRACTICE: Practice! Practice! Practice!
Especially in the building phase, test your car regularly to see which additions have the greatest impact on your time.
The Race & Winners
Once you’ve built, tested, and refined your car, race your friends in our bracket style derby. Winners take their place on the podium. But we also make room for flair - so our “Most Stylish” prize honors outrageous creativity, regardless of speed.
At the end of the day, sometimes it’s more memorable when a car veers left, breaks a wheel, or sparkles like a unicorn. Turns out, cheering on your friends as their little races zoom, (or wobble) down the track. That’s the real win.
