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as it will travel down a 35-foot track in most cases, some are longer. The starting gate is approximately 4 foot off of the ground and as the Cubmaster pulls the starting pin out of the way, gravity takes over and friction becomes the enemy.

Since the potential energy generated by the car is on the downhill slant of the track, putting the weight as far back as you can and building the car as close to 5 ounces as you can will give you the best results. The trick is to put as much in the back as possible but keeping the center of balance in front of the wheels so your car won't jump off the track as it hits the straightaway. If this can be achieved then the scout has a good start on building a fast car.

To improve the speed of the car exponentially, polishing of the axles (nails) and wheels are pretty much required. This is probably the most important step to building a fast derby car outside of getting the weight correct. Friction is the enemy of a fast car and the wheels and axles need to be able to spin as freely as possible with minimal resistance. Adding graphite to the wheels and axles and breaking them in, is usually the final step.

On race day the car is checked in. Officials of the race will weigh the car, make sure its measurements are correct and check to see if anything is outside of the rules. One trick is to make one of the wheels higher off the ground as it will go faster with less resistance, this is not allowed at some pack races, so make sure you know the rules before race day. Once the car is checked in, the scout may not make any more adjustments. The "Best of Show" division is usually held first and then the races. Judges for "Best of Show" are usually people from the community such as the Mayor or Schoolteachers.

The races can get really exciting as each scout gets to see all his work being showcased as his car runs down that track. Races were usually run as double elimination but as times have changed they are now mostly run as what is called a Chaotic Mix or a Perfect-N. When double elimination is used the boy scout may only see his car run 2 times down the track. That wasn't much fun after taking maybe 2 or 3 weekends to build the car. With the new system, now each scout gets to see his car go down at least 6 or more times which is what the races are all about.

There are two parts to the race. The first section helps determine the top 7 or how many finalist the pack has decided on, it's usually 7. Then you have the final races between the top 7 to determine 1st through 4th place. Trophies are usually handed out to the first 4 places in the racing and "Best of Show" divisions. Many times all scouts will receive a medal, ribbon or certificate for entering the pinewood derby.

My son and I have had great fun during the pinewood derby as he has taken 1st place at every pack race and finished in the top 3 at every council race. We will have memories to share for a lifetime, as we have both been involved in the building of his cars. Our first year of derby racing was a hit and miss approach as we knew nothing about the derby or it's rules but we somehow managed to win. I hope this article will help you in making your pinewood derby experience a special one as it has done for us. Good luck and Godspeed as you enjoy your new Pinewood Derby experience!

Learn more about this author, Mike Webb.
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