Do pinewood derby cars have to be a certain length?
The overall length of the car shall not exceed 7 inches. The overall width of the car shall not exceed 2 ¾ inches. The width between wheels must have 1 ¾” clearance. The car must have 3/8” bottom clearance underneath the body.
Can a pinewood derby car be shorter than 7 inches?
Can a pinewood derby car be shorter than 7 inches? Yes, you can make your car shorter but it is not recommended. A shorter car will have a lower center of mass at the start so it will have less energy to convert into speed when going down the track.
What are the rules for pinewood derby car?
All cars must pass the following inspection to qualify for the race:
- Width shall not exceed 2-3/4 inches.
- Length shall not exceed 7 inches.
- Weight shall not exceed 5 ounces.
- Axles, wheels, and body shall be from the materials provided in the kit.
- Wheel bearings, washers, and bushings are prohibited.
Is a shorter pinewood derby car faster?
The longer the wheel base, the greater the turning distance (a short car turns much more quickly than a long car). A pinewood derby car should go as straight as possible, so a longer wheel base is an advantage.
What is the official length of a Pinewood Derby track?
Wood tracks are usually 32 feet long and aluminum tracks are 45 feet long. Alunimum provides a smoother surface than wood and is more durable. The advantage of wood is that you can usually scrounge up most of the material at low cost. The track should be about four feet high at the starting gate.
What is the maximum height of the car?
The maximum permissible height of vehicles carrying construction equipment, motor vehicles, livestock and white goods has been set at 4.75 meters.
How tall can a Pinewood Derby car be?
Height: Car cannot be more than 3 1/8 inches tall. (This restriction is due to the finish line height.) Weight: Finished car cannot weigh more than 5.0 ounces. The weight shown on the official scales (Blue Pinewood Derby® Scale, Scoutstuff.org item number 16989) during the pre-race inspection will be considered final.
How do you make a pinewood derby car go faster?
5 Quick & Easy Tips For Improving Your Pinewood Derby Car’s Speed
- Put all of your weight in the back.
- Lube the car at the body/wheel friction point.
- Spend a fair amount of time on axle prep.
- Make sure your wheels are ready.
- Finally, once your wheels are mounted, check their alignment.
How tall are Pinewood Derby tracks?
The track should be about four feet high at the starting gate. The finishing line is usually at ground level but you might consider raising the whole track several inches for better visibility.