Pinewood Derby

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• We issue each Scout in our Pack an official Pinewood Derby Kit.
• Each Scout designs a car, then enters it on Race Day (on a weekend in late January or early February).
• We show good sportsmanship and cheer for our friends.

District Pinewood Derby

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This is a special invitation to the Muscle Car Museum on the 4th Saturday of March for Scouts with the fastest cars in the Pack.

STEM Lesson

What can make a car go?

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• A motor turns the wheels
• It gets pushed by wind, jet power, or catapult

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• At Pinewood Derby, gravity makes it roll down hill

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STEM Lesson

What slows the car down?

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• Friction against the track
• Friction inside the wheels and axles
• Air resistance (drag)

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Design

• Draw a design in pencil on the side of the car. The saw can then follow the line to make the car the shape you are looking for.

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Cut car

• At the pack meeting, helpers from Ace Hardware Indialantic brought a band saw to assist in cutting to your specification.

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• Adults can help you use a coping saw if you want to do a hand cut.

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File axles

• The axles attach the wheels to the car.
• Out of the box, the axles have stamp marks (on the left) and burrs (on the right) which you can smooth out with a file.
• Use the file by hand or put the axle into a drill.

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Finishing your Pinewood Derby Car

• Sand the edges to smooth it out. This may not make the car faster, but it will give it a cleaner look and feel.

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• Add weight to the rear of your car to make it close to 5.0 oz total. The internet has many tips to help make your car faster:

https://scoutlife.org/hobbies-projects/projects/2952/speed-secrets/

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• Paint the car

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• Add stickers or other decorations

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• Mount the wheels so tires spin freely

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• Lubricate axles with graphite

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Pinewood Derby Race Day

Make sure your car weighs no more than 5.0 ounces.

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You will need a name for your car.

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Official Rules: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1g0kjJ1_56OJa8IAQpiUDkJgzcPMPtpB9f1OMvjGk1hI/edit?usp=sharing

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