Pinewood Derby Car Templates Printable Free - Printable Inspirations Galore! (2024)

FAQs

What is the best design for a Pinewood Derby car? ›

The wedge is a classic and probably the easiest shape (besides keeping a block) to build your Pinewood Derby car. The Wedge is the foundation of many cool car designs, and it is designed to be aerodynamic and is a one-cut wonder.

To go fast, it's all about aerodynamics, and the best shape is a simple wedge. Just like a spoiler on the rear of a sports car, the wedge shape allows as much air to flow over the top of the car without hinderance while keeping the car pinned to the track.

Length: Car cannot be more than 7 1/8 inches long. Width: Car cannot be more than 2 3/4 inches wide. Height: Car cannot be more than 3 1/8 inches tall.

For example, on a smooth aluminum track, a wheelbase of 4.75” offers a good balance between speed and stability. For a rougher track where instability could be a concern, the Race Team might consider going with a 5.0” to 5.25” wheelbase. New axle holes must be made to move or extend the car's wheelbase.

Baking your Pinewood Derby wooden block helps to remove the moisture so that you have more wiggle room to add extra weight at the end. Remember, every little bit of weight in the right place makes a difference! Bake it in the oven at 250° for about 2 hours.

PUT MOST OF THE WEIGHT IN THE BACK

Science says the heaviest part of your car should be about 1 inch in front of the rear axle. The idea is that the farther back the weight is, the more potential energy you have because your center of mass is higher up on the track.

Assuming all other factors are equal, a heavier car will be faster than a lighter car. The Pinewood Derby rules limit the weight of each car to 5 ounces.

In most races, the maximum allowable weight of a pinewood derby car is five ounces. By meeting this maximum limit – while also strategically placing your weights at the rear of your vehicle – you will improve your momentum and increase the distance your car travels towards the finish line.

Axle Location: All cars must use slot in original block of wood for axle placement. No changes in axle distance or drilling of axle holes in the side of the car with a drill press will be allowed. Axle distance is 4 3/8 inches from the center of the front axle to the center of the back axle.

What is the best weight for a Pinewood Derby car? ›

The heavier your pinewood derby car, the faster it will go. Most race rules limit the weight to 5 oz so you want your car as close to the limit as possible.

The minimum ground clearance from the bottom of the wheels to the bottom of the lowest part of the car other than the wheels must be at least 3/8 of an inch, including weights and accessories. e. Minimum width between wheels is 1-3/4 inches.

If you don't have access to a band saw, a coping saw will do. Coping saws are economical and can cut unusual shapes and curves. Coping Saws are intended for cutting curves in thin material but they can be used for cutting your Pinewood Derby car.

How close should pinewood derby wheels be to the car? The hub of the wheel should be a credit card thickness (about . 03") away from the car block but can be as much as . 1".

The most basic aerodynamic design is a simple wedge. If you don't have time to design a complex car, a wedge will work just fine. Download a Pinewood Derby car template PDF to help you create your design.

So I'd look for something under 2.9 seconds... let's check some math. Your car doing this in 3.0 seconds goes 9.5454 mph. Going this same 9.54 mph for 40 ft (or 13.333 yards) gives a time of 2.85 seconds. So get UNDER 2.85 seconds and you're good to go.