Pinewood Derby Ways to Win

About the Book

I’ve written this book to make it as easy as possible to make a winning pinewood derby car. Most of the techniques can be done with simple hand tools. I wanted to come up with some new techniques that any child could do. I also came up with some new ideas that an adult can help with. I started working with my son on his first pinewood derby car when he was five. We went to the library and found some great books. A lot of the ideas are very advanced for a five-year-old, so we thought we could figure out some new ideas on our own. It took five years and a lot of trial and error, but he finally won a first place trophy in our pinewood derby race. Now we can share some of these ideas to help you make the fastest car you can. Other books cover a lot of details on every aspect of pinewood derby. We are trying to help with some more new easy ideas. Always check to see if your race has rules added to the standard pinewood derby rules that come in your pinewood derby car box. I don’t want you to use some of these techniques and have your car disqualified. Finally, always read and follow the safety rules that come with the tools and machines you will use on your project.

About the Author

I went to my first pinewood derby when I was eleven years old. I spent quite a few days working on my pinewood derby car. It was very time-consuming to cut out a car with a hacksaw at eleven years old. I sanded it and took a lot of pride in painting it and giving it the best flat black finish I could. I drew my own fuel and cola decals and colored them with crayon. I glued the numbers and decals on and added a white stripe. I hammered the stock nails and wheels on the added a little person to the cockpit. I found some interesting model parts to use in the cockpit for a steering wheel and shifter. The last thing I did was add the weight to the middle to the car to get me to the five-ounce mark. When race day came, I was so proud and excited to show and race my car. Then it showed up—a gleaming white pencil thin racing machine with a wing. It was sleek, fast, and beautiful. There was no way I could compete with it. I decided on that day that pinewood derby should be a child-and-parent activity. Parents should help but not do all the work on the car. The pinewood derby should be a fun parent-and-child learning activity. Everyone should learn the skills of designing, building, finishing, and racing along with teamwork and innovation.