Frequently Asked Questions
Have questions about our products or Turbo Derby in general? Here are some things we get asked the most:
Getting Started
Should only the child work on the car?
No, the entire purpose of the Pinewood Derby, as stated by the inventor, Don Murphy, is for the Youth and adult racing partners to spend time together. The adult should be an active participant in the design, building, and racing of the car.
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How can I make a fast Pinewood Derby Car?
When building a fast car, there are five areas to address: weight, wheels, axles, alignment, and aerodynamics. However, the majority of a Pinewood Derby car's speed comes from proper weight distribution and reduced friction between the wheels, axles, and car body. In short, make sure the car weighs the maximum allowed, with the weight biased toward the rear, and polish and lubricate the wheels and axles to reduce friction. For more information, look at this article outlining the Five Keys to a Fast Pinewood Derby Car.
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What physics principles are involved with Pinewood Derby?
Three variables govern the speed of a Pinewood Derby car. The first is potential energy, which is the amount of energy available to be converted into kinetic energy. The second, friction, limits the amount of available potential energy because the car's multiple surfaces rub against each other. The third principle is rotational inertia, which represents the energy required to get the car rolling down the track. This article gives additional information on the Foundations of Pinewood Derby Speed.
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If I can do only one thing to make a fast car, what should that be?
You should add weight to bring your car to the max allowable weight (usually 5.0oz) and place it toward the back of the car.
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Rules, Specifications, & Race Basics
What is the maximum weight of a Pinewood Derby car?
Every Pinewood Derby race has its own set of rules that specify the maximum weight allowed; however, it is generally 5.0oz (142g). A racer should always strive to have their car's weight as close to the maximum limit as possible.
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What are the rules of the Pinewood Derby?
Every Pinewood Derby race will have their own set of rules, and those rules can vary widely between organizations. Most Pinewood Derby car kits come with a basic set of suggested rules governing the maximum weight and dimensions of the car: 5.0oz max weight, max length of 7 inches, and max width of 2.75 inches. When in doubt, consult the local race rules (or the race organizer).
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How long is a Pinewood Derby track?
There are no set standards for the length of a Pinewood Derby track. However, generally speaking, they are between 30 and 50 feet long. One of the more popular brands of track (BestTrack) comes in lengths of 35', 42', and 49'.
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What is the front and back of the car?
The standard pinewood Derby car block is 7 inches long, 1.75 inches wide, and 1.25 inches tall with two slots cut into it for the axles. Those slots are located 0.939 inches from one end and 1.625 inches from the other. It is generally accepted that the end with the 0.939 slot is the rear of the car.
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Do we have to use the axle slots in the wood block?
Use of the slots will depend on the specific rules for your race. If you are not required to use the slots, then it is highly recommended to drill axle holes. This allows for optimal weight placement, alignment, and stability.
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Weight & Weight Placement
Where do I put the weight in a Pinewood Derby Car?
To maximize potential energy and therefore speed, the weight should be concentrated toward the rear of the car. A good rule of thumb is to distribute the weight so the car's balance point is 1-1.5 inches in front of the rear axle. Weight placement is discussed in depth in the following article about proper Pinewood Derby car weighting.
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What should I use to add weight to my PWD car?
The type of weight used matters less than where you put the weight. Therefore, the racer can use almost anything; coins, batteries, bolts, washers, etc., are all excellent options. Please note that many Youth organizations discourage the use of lead due to safety concerns. However, for maximum speed, tungsten is preferred due to its higher density than lead. Here is more information on Pinewood Derby car weighting.
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Wheels, Axles, & Friction Reduction
How can I make the Pinewood Derby wheels faster?
The wheels are a significant source of speed gains on a car. By reducing their weight (generally done with a lathe), the wheels require less energy to start rolling and therefore achieve faster starts. Additionally, polishing and waxing/sealing the areas that contact the axles and car body significantly reduces friction, increasing speed. Wheel preparation is discussed in depth here.
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How can I make the Pinewood Derby axles faster?
Like wheels, axles are a major source of speed on a Derby car. Removing imperfections on the axles, sanding them smooth, and finishing with a metal polish helps reduce friction with the wheel, leading to speed gains. This article discusses working with axles.
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What is the best Pinewood Derby lubricant?
Lubricating the wheels and axles significantly increases a Pinewood Derby car's speed. If the race rules allow, then the best (and fastest) lubricant is a purpose-made oil such as Turbo Speed Oil. However, a large percentage of Pinewood Derby rules only allow powdered lubricants. In these cases, medium flake, pure graphite (such as Turbo Boost Graphite) is the best option.
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Should I put graphite on the wheel treads to make them slick?
If you use graphite as your lubricant, you should polish/burnish the wheel hubs and bore with graphite. However, you should not polish the wheel treads (the part that touches the track) themselves. While the shiny, gunmetal-gray effect looks cool, graphite on the wheel treads will make them too slippery, leading to an unstable, wiggly car. Ultimately, you want the wheel treads to be smooth, not slippery!
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Alignment, Tuning, & Stability
What is a rail-riding Pinewood Derby car?
A rail-riding car slightly steers into the track's center rail. This rubbing, or "riding", of the rail helps stabilize the car, making it faster. For more information about rail riding, see this article.
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Should we bend the car's rear axles?
The thought process behind bending the rear axles is to cause the wheels to migrate outward on the axle and ride against the head, reducing friction and stabilizing the wheel. While this is sound logic (and is why pro racers drill the rear axle holes at an angle), it is challenging to get them right when bending. Maximizing the car's speed with bent rear axles will be difficult without a track to tune the car on and a lot of patience.
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Should I tune the car or "break in" the graphite on a treadmill?
Simply put, don't do it! The belt can damage the relatively fragile wheels, resulting in a loss of speed. To break in the graphite, spin the wheels by hand or run the car down a track. Five minutes of treadmill tuning is equivalent to over 100 races. The wheels will wear out, slowing your car.
Design & Aerodynamics
What is the fastest Pinewood Derby car design?
The fastest design is known as a "Thin-to-Win" car. It is a flat, thin design resembling a flat skate or surfboard and generally measuring .250-.320 inches thick. This design minimizes aerodynamic drag and allows for ideal weight distribution. This design and others are discussed in this article.
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Do aerodynamics make a difference in Pinewood Derby?
Yes, of the things that affect a car's speed, aerodynamics is down the list; however, with all things being equal, a car with better aerodynamic features will be faster. This fact is proven in practically every professional league race. In classes where aerodynamic additions (thin body, fenders, air shields, etc.) are allowed, any car that runs without these features will almost always finish dead last!
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Finishing, Appearance & Materials
What should I use to color/paint my Pinewood Derby car?
Spray paint, magic marker, and even crayons are all good options for decorating a car. However, it is recommended to avoid water-based paints, as they can cause the wood body to warp. A popular option for the "Thin-to-Win" body style is vinyl available at craft stores. It is thin, easy to apply, and comes in many different colors. Vinyl that can be printed on an inkjet printer allows for creative designs.
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Should I bake the wood block in an oven to remove moisture?
Baking the wood block takes time and effort that would be better spent elsewhere. After baking, the block will start to absorb moisture again (defeating the purpose), likely resulting in a warped body, especially if going with a "Thin-to-Win" style car. A warped body will throw off the alignment and slow the car. The risk of warping outweighs the minuscule weight savings.
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