Hobbies And Interests
Aerodynamics
Since the Pinewood Derby track is short, speed is paramount. When whittling your block of wood, try to keep the air flow going under the car to a minimum. By directing airflow over the hood, you'll increase speed and lower turbulence. This will give your Derby car smoother aerodynamics and improve its performance.
Weight
Pinewood Derby cars typically cannot exceed 5 oz. in weight. If your car comes in a little short, adding more weight to the back can help give your car the momentum it needs to outpace your competition. You can do this easily by adding small wooden screws to the bottom, by using 1/4 oz. stick-on weights or by gluing pennies to the hood. Make sure your weights are not so heavy in the back as to make the front of your car elevate.
Glue Your Axles
By gluing your axles you can largely avoid the horror of losing a wheel during the Pinewood Derby race. After making sure your axles are aligned as straight as possible, glue them firmly in place and let them dry. Carefully avoid touching the glue to your wheels, as this can lock the vehicle during the race.
Do a Wheel Test
Once you attach your wheels, it's a good idea to test their efficiency together. Run your Derby car along the ground, making sure to not let go. Flip the car over as the wheels are running and examine any off-balance motions. If any of the wheels are not performing up to par, work on adjusting the tightness and getting them all performing at the same speed.