How Can I Win a Pinewood Derby?

by Jennifer Brister

Step 1

Design the car so that it has a low profile. It should be narrow in the front and wider in the back to reduce wind resistance. The nose of the car should be rounded, instead of square to improve the speed of the car.
Step 2

Sand and polish the wheel axle nails that come with the kit before you use them. This will help to decrease any friction between the nails and the wheels. Use a fine sandpaper to sand the nails and remove any rough spots.
Step 3

Add extra weight to the back of the car. Build the car so that it is lighter than the maximum limit and then add lead weights to the back of the car until the car is at its maximum weight. You can drill holes in the back of the car and insert small lead weights in the lower rear of the car. This will help the car to achieve its maximum speed.
Step 4

Roll your car down a smooth slanted surface to check the alignment. If your wheels are not properly aligned, your car with bump the side wall, causing the car to go slower. If your car is not properly aligned, take it apart and put it together again, this time checking to make sure that all the wheels are even.
Step 5

Spin the wheels of the car to check to see if they spin smoothly. If the wheels do not spin as they should, sand the wheel axles with a graphite lubricant. Use the lubricant on the area where the wheels meet the axle and the body of the car.

Overview