The Foundations of Pinewood Derby Speed
- Brian
- Aug 29, 2023
- 2 min read
Three variables or foundations limit the speed of a Pinewood Derby® car. Addressing each area results in faster cars!
Potential Energy
Pinewood Derby® cars are gravity-powered. Their potential energy is the amount of energy available to be converted into motion or kinetic energy. Maximize potential energy by tweaking the weight's amount and, most importantly, its location in the car. Learn how to address this foundation in the Weighting article.
Friction
Friction limits the use of available potential energy. Energy is lost from surfaces rubbing against each other. The wheels, axles, car body, track, and air are all sources of friction. Reducing friction is key to increasing speed and is addressed in detail in the articles on Wheels, Axles, Aerodynamics, Alignment, Body, and Lubrication.
Rotational Inertia
It takes a certain amount of energy to start a Pinewood Derby® car rolling down the track. Heavier objects need more energy than lighter objects. Reducing the car’s rotational inertia leads to quicker starts and faster times. Reducing rotational inertia is discussed in detail in the Wheels chapter.
Articles in this series (click to read):
About the Author
Brian
Brian’s Pinewood Derby journey began in 1981 when, at just nine years old, he placed second in the Royal Ambassadors State Championship. Fast forward to 2019, when his son brought home a Cub Scout kit and reignited his passion. What started as a quick project turned into an obsession fueled by RC modeling, 3D printing, machining, and CNC routing, eventually leading to Turbo Derby! From Scout packs to pro races, Brian has developed tools, techniques, and plenty of stories to share. He loves talking about the Pinewood Derby almost as much as he loves building and racing.
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