How do you make your pinewood derby car go faster?

How do you make your pinewood derby car go faster?

5 Quick & Easy Tips For Improving Your Pinewood Derby Car’s Speed

  1. Put all of your weight in the back.
  2. Lube the car at the body/wheel friction point.
  3. Spend a fair amount of time on axle prep.
  4. Make sure your wheels are ready.
  5. Finally, once your wheels are mounted, check their alignment.

How do you reduce drag on a derby car?

Make It Aerodynamic – To reduce air drag, cut your block so it’s wedge-shaped rather than square. Taper the Bottom of Your Car at the Front – This will keep it from rubbing against the track at the bottom of the slope as the track becomes flat.

Why is my pinewood derby car slow?

This may seem like an afterthought to many, but if your Pinewood Racer doesn’t go straight, the wheels will rub against the track, causing it to slow down. Remember, friction is your enemy. Weight – It is vital to have your Pinewood Derby car weigh the proper amount.

How tight should pinewood derby wheels be?

How close should pinewood derby wheels be to the car? The hub of the wheel should be a credit card thickness (about . 03″) away from the car block but can be as much as . 1″.

How do you reduce drag on a pinewood derby car?

How do you make pinewood derby axles straight?

Pinewood Derby Axle Installer

  1. Lubricate the wheel and axle – Slide the axle into the wheel.
  2. Place the wheel/axle on the base with the pointed end of the axle up.
  3. Place the Axle Guide in the axle slot.
  4. Hold the Axle Guide in place with your thumb then gently press the car body straight down on the axle.

How long should pinewood derby wheels spin?

around 20 seconds
How long should pinewood derby wheels spin? A long spinning wheel has less friction so the longer a wheel spins, the better. A good wheels will spin for around 20 seconds but the spin time can vary with the type of wheel, lubricant and with the amount of force used to start the spin.

Should I bake my pinewood derby car?

Bake the Block: Start with your block of wood, and before you do anything else, bake it in the oven at 250 degrees for around two hours to remove moisture and make it lighter. This will allow you to place more weight to the rear of the Pinewood Derby car where you actually want it.

What should I add to my pinewood derby car weight?

Below are several suggestions for adding weights to your pinewood derby car.

  1. Zinc Top Weight.
  2. Lead Wire Weights.
  3. Tungsten Weights.
  4. Tungsten Canopy.
  • October 24, 2022