Perry Pinewood-Derby May 11, 2017
The Cub Scouts Pinewood Derby started with the first race in 1953
"I wanted to devise a wholesome, constructive activity that would foster a closer father-son relationship and
promote craftsmanship and good sportsmanship through competition."
Don Murphy, 1953
"I wanted to devise a wholesome, constructive activity that would foster a closer father-son relationship and
promote craftsmanship and good sportsmanship through competition."
Don Murphy, 1953
Your Pinewood Derby Kit
-Wedge-shaped wood block that meets legal dimensions.
-Four each of official wheels and axles.
-Two pre-cut axle slots for easy, accurate axle/wheel assembly
Designing and Building the Ultimate Pinewood Derby Car
1. Create the Design:
Remember, a rectangular car is not an aerodynamic design. The most basic aerodynamic design is a simple wedge. We don’t have a lot of time to design a complex car, a wedge will work just fine.
2. Shape Your Car:
Use sand paper to smooth your car’s edges and shape it to your design.
3. Sand and Paint the Pinewood Derby Car: Make it smooth to reduce friction and paint an awesome design to make it look great.
4. Install Axles and Wheels: Make sure they are aligned perfectly straight. You can test the alignment of your axles by pushing your car across a smooth floor or table. It should roll smoothly in a straight line.
— Make a Three-Wheeler: Raise one wheel about 1/16 inch higher so it never actually touches the track. Less friction = more speed. Rules vary from pack to pack, so make sure this is allowed in your race.
5. Create Glue Holes: Glue the axles firmly in their holes to ensure that they stay perfectly placed, but make sure you don’t get glue on your wheels.
6. Lubricate the Wheel Well: Add graphite or another dry lubricant to reduce friction. The less friction between the body and wheel, the better.
And finally, remember the No. 1 rule of a pinewood derby is that it’s supposed to be fun. While you should always strive to do your best, don’t get caught up in winning. Just enjoy the ride. GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP AND BEHAVIOR IS EXPECTED.
-So what is GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP?
1. Create the Design:
Remember, a rectangular car is not an aerodynamic design. The most basic aerodynamic design is a simple wedge. We don’t have a lot of time to design a complex car, a wedge will work just fine.
2. Shape Your Car:
Use sand paper to smooth your car’s edges and shape it to your design.
3. Sand and Paint the Pinewood Derby Car: Make it smooth to reduce friction and paint an awesome design to make it look great.
4. Install Axles and Wheels: Make sure they are aligned perfectly straight. You can test the alignment of your axles by pushing your car across a smooth floor or table. It should roll smoothly in a straight line.
— Make a Three-Wheeler: Raise one wheel about 1/16 inch higher so it never actually touches the track. Less friction = more speed. Rules vary from pack to pack, so make sure this is allowed in your race.
5. Create Glue Holes: Glue the axles firmly in their holes to ensure that they stay perfectly placed, but make sure you don’t get glue on your wheels.
6. Lubricate the Wheel Well: Add graphite or another dry lubricant to reduce friction. The less friction between the body and wheel, the better.
And finally, remember the No. 1 rule of a pinewood derby is that it’s supposed to be fun. While you should always strive to do your best, don’t get caught up in winning. Just enjoy the ride. GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP AND BEHAVIOR IS EXPECTED.
-So what is GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP?
- Shout words of encouragement.
- Keep your comments positive.
- Don't dwell on who won or lost.
- Applaud winning cars, no matter whose they are.
- Set a good example with your courteous behavior. Congratulate classmates when they win
- Keep your perspective. It's just a race.
- Finally, don't forget to have fun!
A former NASA engineer explains how you can use science to succeed at your pinewood derby.
What will your car look like?
Our Pinewood Derby Timeline and T-Shirt Forms
Derby Videos
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Need Decorations Ideas?
Cartoon or Fantasy Derby Cars
Spiderman, Batman, Superman, Pokemon, The Flash,Inferno, Hulk, Batmobile derby plan or Batmobile car kit, Green Hornet , Pixar's Lightning McQueen, Pixar's Sally Car, Star Wars Star Destroyer, R2D2, CP30, StarWars X-Wing Fighter, Super Mario Brothers car, Angry Birds, Lego Car, tron, taxi, monster truck, pikachu, pirate, ghostbusters, harry potter, Mater, mickey mouse, sonic, dragon, Nike shoe, minion, minecraft, steve, creeper, dragon
Military pinewood derby cars
Army Humvee Hummer, plane, rocket, cruise missile, titanic, Army Tank, jeep, sword, knife, bazooka, nuclear submarine, battleship, fighter plane, space shuttle, Army Truck , sloop, warthog, helicopter, torpedo, jet, marines, air force, army, navy, special forces, stealth glider, magnum, airplane
Bug cars
spider, ant, scorpion, ladybug, praying mantis, beetle, fish, caterpillar, bug
Animal derby cars
Shark Car, Cheetah, lion, rhino, lynx, fox, tiger, bear, wolf, snake, lizard, dolphin, rabbit, turtle, Whale, frog, horse, falcon, bumblebee, crocodile, alligator, monkey, Trex, dragon, mouse, hedgehog, platipus, python, raptor, roadrunner, trout, panda
Trucks, busses and trains, emergency vehicles
police car, firetruck, tanker truck, pine wood log truck, school bus, train, canoe, ambulance, fire engine
Cool Race cars
NASCAR, Formula One, funny cars, drag racers, Grand Prix,street rod, Corvette, Mustang, Lotus, Bullet Car, Cheetah, Stock Car, classic racers, convertible, dragster, sedan, van, pickup, limosine, sportscar, camaro,firebird, mach 5, ferrari, jaguar, viper, cobra, lamborghini, porche, trans am, volkswagon beetle, chevy, ford, stingray
Food Car
Swiss Cheese Car, banana, strawberry, grapes, canolli, pizza slice, red hot chili pepper, pickle, asparagus, coke bottle, Hotdog, watermellon, hersheys bar, pickle, carrot, ice cream sandwich
Objects
Pencil, redwood tree, popemobile, broomstick, crayon, iPod, violin, megaphone, snowmobile, titanic, music car, flute, piano, guitar, drums
Patriotic
Flag, firecracker, American Eagle, Abe Lincoln, Soldier, world trade towers, liberty bell, statue of liberty, General Lee, SEAL Team 6
Sports
Skateboard Car, Baseball bat, hockey stick, Olympic torch, arrows, snowboard, Skateboard, ski, basketball, falcons, giants, yankees, bruins, rangers, penguins, bobsled, seahawks, Saints, Patriots, Broncos, 49ers, zamboni, bobsled
More Cool Car design ideas
Toothbrush, Pencil, peanut, fire hydrant, rope, dollar bill, clothes pin, cactus, tree stump, comb, candle, key
Funny or comical cars
SpongeBob Square Pants, Spam car, smiley car, toilet paper, cigar, dirty sock, clam car, lobster, toilet bowl, dukes of hazzard, DragonBall, zamboni, dollar bill, pine wood derby box, godzilla, Loch Ness Monster
Powderpuff cars
Flowers, butterfly, hearts, shamrock, dove, girl power car, seahorse, Arrow,unicorn, Pink Nike Sneaker, Cat, Dog, horse, turtle, princess, Sally Pixar Car, bling car, barbie, piano, peace, iloveucar, love bug, lipstick, candy cane, lego, bumblebee
Symbols
Olympic torch, Arrow car, lightning bolt
Spiderman, Batman, Superman, Pokemon, The Flash,Inferno, Hulk, Batmobile derby plan or Batmobile car kit, Green Hornet , Pixar's Lightning McQueen, Pixar's Sally Car, Star Wars Star Destroyer, R2D2, CP30, StarWars X-Wing Fighter, Super Mario Brothers car, Angry Birds, Lego Car, tron, taxi, monster truck, pikachu, pirate, ghostbusters, harry potter, Mater, mickey mouse, sonic, dragon, Nike shoe, minion, minecraft, steve, creeper, dragon
Military pinewood derby cars
Army Humvee Hummer, plane, rocket, cruise missile, titanic, Army Tank, jeep, sword, knife, bazooka, nuclear submarine, battleship, fighter plane, space shuttle, Army Truck , sloop, warthog, helicopter, torpedo, jet, marines, air force, army, navy, special forces, stealth glider, magnum, airplane
Bug cars
spider, ant, scorpion, ladybug, praying mantis, beetle, fish, caterpillar, bug
Animal derby cars
Shark Car, Cheetah, lion, rhino, lynx, fox, tiger, bear, wolf, snake, lizard, dolphin, rabbit, turtle, Whale, frog, horse, falcon, bumblebee, crocodile, alligator, monkey, Trex, dragon, mouse, hedgehog, platipus, python, raptor, roadrunner, trout, panda
Trucks, busses and trains, emergency vehicles
police car, firetruck, tanker truck, pine wood log truck, school bus, train, canoe, ambulance, fire engine
Cool Race cars
NASCAR, Formula One, funny cars, drag racers, Grand Prix,street rod, Corvette, Mustang, Lotus, Bullet Car, Cheetah, Stock Car, classic racers, convertible, dragster, sedan, van, pickup, limosine, sportscar, camaro,firebird, mach 5, ferrari, jaguar, viper, cobra, lamborghini, porche, trans am, volkswagon beetle, chevy, ford, stingray
Food Car
Swiss Cheese Car, banana, strawberry, grapes, canolli, pizza slice, red hot chili pepper, pickle, asparagus, coke bottle, Hotdog, watermellon, hersheys bar, pickle, carrot, ice cream sandwich
Objects
Pencil, redwood tree, popemobile, broomstick, crayon, iPod, violin, megaphone, snowmobile, titanic, music car, flute, piano, guitar, drums
Patriotic
Flag, firecracker, American Eagle, Abe Lincoln, Soldier, world trade towers, liberty bell, statue of liberty, General Lee, SEAL Team 6
Sports
Skateboard Car, Baseball bat, hockey stick, Olympic torch, arrows, snowboard, Skateboard, ski, basketball, falcons, giants, yankees, bruins, rangers, penguins, bobsled, seahawks, Saints, Patriots, Broncos, 49ers, zamboni, bobsled
More Cool Car design ideas
Toothbrush, Pencil, peanut, fire hydrant, rope, dollar bill, clothes pin, cactus, tree stump, comb, candle, key
Funny or comical cars
SpongeBob Square Pants, Spam car, smiley car, toilet paper, cigar, dirty sock, clam car, lobster, toilet bowl, dukes of hazzard, DragonBall, zamboni, dollar bill, pine wood derby box, godzilla, Loch Ness Monster
Powderpuff cars
Flowers, butterfly, hearts, shamrock, dove, girl power car, seahorse, Arrow,unicorn, Pink Nike Sneaker, Cat, Dog, horse, turtle, princess, Sally Pixar Car, bling car, barbie, piano, peace, iloveucar, love bug, lipstick, candy cane, lego, bumblebee
Symbols
Olympic torch, Arrow car, lightning bolt