How to Make Pinewood Derby Winning Cars

Lubricate the wheels. This step is very important. The plastic wheels spin on small nails that are inserted into the body of the derby car. While this setup can produce good speed, coating the inside of the rims and the axle itself with a small amount of graphite grease will really improve the speed of the car. The idea is to eliminate as much of the friction as possible.

Smooth the axles out so that there are no small burrs or imperfections that will slow the wheels down. These imperfections cause friction, which is the enemy of speed and smooth operation. Use 180+ grit sandpaper or slowly go over the nail with a wire-wheel on a drill. Be careful not to bend the axle in the process. A magnifying glass is sufficient to spot any burrs or imperfections.

Add weight to the car. The heavier the pinewood derby car, the faster it will go. Because gravity is the accelerator, weight is a key factor. Most competitions limit the weight of the car at five ounces, so it is best to get as close to that as possible. Small scales can be purchased inexpensively on the Internet or at a hobby shop, or you can even take it to the Post Office and use theirs. Some competitors glue pennies to the chassis of the car, and some actually drill small holes in the body and insert tiny lead weights, such as those used for fishing line.