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How to Run a Single Elimination Pinewood Derby

In a single elimination pinewood derby, a racer is eliminated from the competition after his first loss. Single elimination derbies take less time to complete than double elimination derbies, but some argue the true fairness of this type of elimination method. However, single elimination derbies are easy to run and to understand. They are also ideal for when you have a large number of contestants.

Instructions

- 1
  Collect entry names, and tally the number of entries for the race.
- 2
  Decide how many cars to include per heat based on the number of lanes in your derby track.
- 3
  Create a ladder based on the number of cars and heats. Add the number of heats at the top of the ladder, and enter the seeds and the names of those in each seed on the side.
- 4
  Begin racing with the first round of cars. Advance the winning car from that heat to the next round.
- 5
  Eliminate all the other cars from the heat by crossing them off the ladder. Move the winning car to the next rung on the ladder.
- 6
  Continue racing, eliminating losing cars and advancing winning cars on the ladder. Make sure advancing cars change lanes at each heat for fairness.
- 7
  Hold the race finals when only enough cars remain to fill the track. Crown the winner of the last heat the overall winner of the pinewood derby.

Soap Box Derby