411 REFERENCE · Wikibooks
How To Build a Pinewood Derby Car
Reference material by Wikibooks contributors. This retains its source identity and is not 411 news reporting.
Pinewood derby cars are made from kits containing a wood block, plastic wheels and metal nails for axles. The completed cars race down a multi-lane track powered by gravity and slowed by friction and wind resistance. Pinewood Derby and related races are run by Boy Scouts of America's Cub Scouts, Awana Grand Prix, Royal Rangers, Shape N Race, Kub Kar Rally, Royal Ambassadors, and others.
left|350 px|thumb|Pinewood derby racer modeled on Richard Petty's famous Plymouth Superbird
Construction of a pinewood derby car involves:
cutting out the body
adding weight
filing and polishing the axles
truing and polishing the wheels
final alignment and assembly
right|350 px|thumb|Pinewood derby cars ready to race
A number of "speed secrets" have developed over the past half-century of pinewood derby. This book covers the hows, whys and even the physics and chemistry of this race, including
rear biased weight
lead, tungsten and zinc weights
extended wheelbase
raised front wheel
coned wheels
light wheels
wheel molds
plastic polish
H and V tread
beveled axles
notched axles
metal polish
shimming and alignment
graphite, moly, and liquid lubricants
and how to paint the wheel spokes silver.
thumb|left|300 px|Electronic track timer
This book is for kids who will be working with adults to construct their cars, for parents who will be working with their kids and purchasing tools, parts and supplies, and for race organizers who will be writing the rules, inspecting the cars and running the races.
Pinewood derby
Pinewood Derby
Arts and crafts
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