Don’t Leave Speed on the Track
Alignment is one of the most important parts of building a fast Pinewood Derby® car. Without proper alignment, even a well-built car may not reach its full potential. The Turbo Jig Hybrid is designed to help racers drill axle holes with more control, consistency, and confidence.
This version of the Turbo Jig includes an additional bushing so the racer can drill the steer wheel straight or with steer built in. That makes it a helpful option for racers who may compete under different Pinewood Derby rules, such as Pack and District races, where one set of rules may allow bent axles and another may not.
Use the front bushing to drill a straight hole. Use the middle bushing to drill the car with a preset amount of camber and toe on the front wheel to help achieve a steer amount of approximately 5 inches over 4 feet.
Built for Rail Rider Setups and Rule Flexibility
The Turbo Jig Hybrid is designed for rail-rider setups, giving racers two front-drilling options in one tool. You can drill straight front holes and use a bent axle for steering, or you can drill the front right hole at a compound angle to induce steer while using a straight axle. This can be especially useful for rules that do not allow bent axles.
Please note: practically none of the stock axles are perfectly straight, and the heads are often not square to the shaft. This can affect how much the car steers. When using the built-in steer option on the Turbo Jig Hybrid, it is advisable to check the car's steer after drilling.
Rotating the steering wheel axle and the rear axles can change how much the car steers. Tune these until you reach the desired steer amount. Many racers also pair this jig with a Pinewood Derby axle bender tool when they want additional axle tuning control.
Why Alignment Matters
There are three key areas on the car that must be precisely positioned to achieve strong alignment and reduce speed-killing friction.
- Rear wheel angle: The rear wheels should be at a 3-degree angle, or camber, and precisely parallel to each other and perpendicular to the car body. Without this, the rear wheels may end up in a toe-in or toe-out position, creating unwanted friction.
- Front and rear height: The front and rear of the car should sit at the same height from the track. This can be difficult because the angle of the front steering wheel works together with the steering amount needed for stability. If the height is off, the front of the car may induce toe-in or toe-out on the rear wheels.
- Steering wheel inset: The front steering wheel should be inset a specific amount into the body to help keep the rear wheels placed evenly over the center rail. If not, the rear wheels may travel down the track slightly sideways, creating more friction.
These details can be difficult to achieve with basic tools alone. The Turbo Jig Hybrid is designed to address these key alignment areas and make the drilling process more repeatable. Instead of relying on trial and error, racers can work from precise geometry built into the jig.
Designed With Precision Geometry
The Turbo Jig Hybrid was developed using an extremely detailed and accurate 3D model of a Pinewood Derby car. From that model, the axle hole locations, front body offset, and steering axle bend reference points were determined to a high level of precision and integrated into the jig.
That does not mean you can skip tuning. Every car, axle, wheel set, and track can behave a little differently. But starting with consistent axle hole placement gives you a better foundation before you begin testing, adjusting, and refining the car for race day.
For parents and youth racers, this can make the building process feel more manageable. For experienced racers, it offers more control when preparing different cars or adapting to different race requirements. If you are also upgrading other parts of the build, Turbo Derby offers Pinewood Derby axles and wheels designed for racers who want to keep improving.
Turbo Jig Hybrid Features
- Designed for rail rider setups
- Can drill cars with either straight front holes, using a bent axle for steering, or drill the front right hole at a compound angle to induce steer while using a straight axle
- Helpful for rules that do not allow bent axles
- Hardened tool steel drill bushings, 1.095 inches long
- Precise geometry for consistent alignment
- Bushings for the rear wheels are canted at 3 degrees
- Front straight bushings allow for using a bent steer axle, common in rail-rider setups
- Additional bushing used for drilling steer into the car body
- Front left bushing raised for drilling the lifted wheel
- Built-in gauge for measuring axle bend for the steer wheel
- Built-in gauge for determining the steer wheel side notch or indentation
- Guides for drilling glue holes for the axles
Package Contains
- 1 Turbo Jig Hybrid
- 1 #43, 0.089-inch HSS drill bit
- 1 set of detailed instructions
FAQ
What is the Turbo Jig Hybrid used for?
The Turbo Jig Hybrid is used to drill axle holes in a Pinewood Derby car body with more consistent placement and alignment. It supports both straight front holes and a built-in steer option, making it useful for racers who need flexibility across different rule sets.
Why does the Hybrid version include an additional bushing?
The additional bushing gives racers the option to drill the front right hole at a compound angle. This can help create a built-in steer while using a straight axle, which may be helpful when rules do not allow bent axles.
Do I still need to tune the car after using the Turbo Jig Hybrid?
Yes. The Turbo Jig Hybrid helps create a strong starting point, but stock axles can vary, and small changes can affect steer. After drilling, check the car on a tuning board or track and make adjustments as needed.
What drill bit comes with the Turbo Jig Hybrid?
The package includes a #43 0.089-inch HSS drill bit, the Turbo Jig Hybrid, and a set of detailed instructions.
