Diyvehiclerepair
Bake the Block: Start with your block of wood, and before you do anything else, bake it in the oven at 250 degrees for around two hours to remove moisture and make it lighter. This will allow you to place more weight to the rear of the Pinewood Derby car where you actually want it.
- Is a heavier pinewood derby car faster?
- Can you add weights to pinewood derby cars?
- What is the perfect weight for a Pinewood Derby car?
- What is the best shape for a Pinewood Derby car?
- How much weight does paint add to Pinewood Derby car?
- Where is the best place for weights on a Pinewood Derby car?
- Where should the center of gravity be on a Pinewood Derby car?
- Are Bent axles legal in Pinewood Derby?
- Should I bake my Pinewood Derby block?
- What is the fastest Pinewood Derby car time?
- How do you make a soap box car go faster?
- How much does the Pinewood Derby block weigh?
Is a heavier pinewood derby car faster?
Much has been written about the physics of pinewood derby cars, and this is one rare case in racing where heavy = fast. Aerodynamics have little effect in such a short race, but weight does and putting the weight at the back of the car will make your car faster on the flat of the track.
Can you add weights to pinewood derby cars?
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 Wedge block will need about 2.5 oz of additional weight to bring it up to the 5 oz limit. ... Then add the weights until the total is 5 oz.
What is the perfect weight for a Pinewood Derby car?
First, the basics: Your car should weigh as much as it's allowed. In most races, a Pinewood Derby car's weight is limited to 5 ounces. If your car weighs less than that, add coins or other weights.
What is the best shape for a Pinewood Derby car?
But aerodynamics rule the day, 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.
How much weight does paint add to Pinewood Derby car?
Paint only adds a few grams (hundredths of a ounce). We generally weight up to 4.9 oz and then do the last weight adjustment at check-in.
Where is the best place for weights on a Pinewood Derby car?
Best Location to Weight Your Pinewood Derby Car
When deciding on where to weight your car, you should try to reach a final balance point of the car 1 inch or less in front of the rear axle. To achieve this, place 2/5 of the added weight behind the rear axle, and the remaining 3/5 in front of the rear axle.
Where should the center of gravity be on a Pinewood Derby car?
Center of gravity placement should be between 1⁄2″ – 1″ in front of the rear axle. This is true for all wheel base types. Whether you are using a standard wheelbase or an extended wheelbase.
Are Bent axles legal in Pinewood Derby?
CAN I BEND AXLES AND QUALIFY FOR STOCK CAR OR PRO STOCK DIVISIONS? No. Bent axles are not allowed in either racing class.
Should I bake my Pinewood Derby block?
Should I bake the pinewood derby block? The short answer is no, do not bake the block. The idea behind baking the block is to remove moisture which will make the block lighter. ... Baking might remove more moisture but the block will quickly re-absorb the moisture after it is out of the oven and cooled down.
What is the fastest Pinewood Derby car time?
We used ultralight wheels and grooved axles. It was very fast. Nobody even came close to us. Our best time was 2.516 seconds on a 35 foot aluminum track.
How do you make a soap box car go faster?
Weight: Numerous formula-based calculations and real-life experiments have been done to determine if a heavier or slower soap box derby car will go faster. Consensus is that adding weight gives the car more momentum (acceleration/top speed) and cuts down on air resistance/drag.
How much does the Pinewood Derby block weigh?
The official Pinewood Derby car weighs about 3.5 ounces without any modifications. The wooden block is about 3.3 ounces, and the wheels and axles add about 0.2 ounces.
