Clark Pinewood Derby

This is a Fun, Free, Family Event!

Clark's 9th Annual Pinewood Derby Race

TBA

In the MPR (Cafeteria)

Open to all C.U.S.D. Students!

All Cars will have to be registered, judged and weighed prior to the race. Weigh-ins and Judging will be from 9:00am to 10:45am on March 7th, 2020. We intend to start racing at 11:00am and be done by 12:30pm.

If the student cannot be present at the races, we will still race their cars for them and announce the results. Please let me know ahead of time and we can make arrangements for you to submit the cars early.

Bring the whole family to this Free event. Click here to see what the racing is like. Minimal Snack Bar will be open.

The pinewood derby is simply racing wooden cars via gravity. Although this sounds simple, there is a lot of science behind winning. As Clark students are learning about gravity, resistance, velocity, and more in their Science classes, all are invited to apply that knowledge to the provided block of wood, nails, wheels, and race it. You can purchase car kits online, the the BSA Shop, Hobby Stores, and Lowes.

You can also purchase car kits for $5 in Room E-12 through Mr. Walker. The car kit we use is identical to the official BSA car kits with the exception of the axles. The axles in our kit are already straightened and polished for racing. Make sure your car kits say that they meet BSA Pinewood derby requirements. You can race old cars that were champions in the past.

Clark Pinewood Derby Rules (BSA Rules)*

ALL CARS MUST PASS INSPECTION TO QUALIFY FOR THE RACE

1. The car weight cannot exceed 5.0 ounces. The official race scale shall be considered final.

2. The overall length of the car cannot exceed 8 inches.

3. The overall width of the car cannot exceed 2 ¾ inches.

4. The car must have 1 ¾” clearance between the wheels.

5. The car must have 3/8” clearance underneath the body.

6. The wood provided in the kit must be used. The block may be shaped any way that is desired.

7. The wheels supplied with the kit must be used. (Car must roll with supplied wheels and the wheels cannot be enlarged in diameter. Wheels can be lightened or narrowed down.)

8. The axles supplied with the kit must be used with the supplied wheels.(They may be straightened and polished)

9. No wet lubricants. Wet only slows down the car and make the track slippery. Graphite is a really good dry lubricant.

10. The car must be freewheeling, with no starting devices, no C02, no motors, etc...

11. Official BSA car kits may be used. The same rules apply with the block, wheels and axles.

* Each car must pass inspection by the official inspection committee during the check-in times 9:00am-10:45am before it will be allowed to compete. The Inspection Committee has the responsibility to disqualify those cars that do not meet these specifications. After the car is inspected it cannot be touched again until after the race.

Great Links:

How to make a winning car:

Pinewood Derby Race Game

If you want to drill your own hole, here is a link to the right size drill bit.

Drill Bit

ABC Pinewood Derby