Which wheel should be raised on a Pinewood Derby car?

Lift One of the Front Wheels, so it Doesn’t Touch the Track – If your competition allows it, raising one wheel is an easy way to reduce friction. Decide which wheel to lift by sending your car down a straight line and seeing which side of the line it drifts toward. If it drifts left, raise the left front wheel.

What are the official Pinewood Derby rules?

All cars must pass the following inspection to qualify for the race:

  • Width shall not exceed 2-3/4 inches.
  • Length shall not exceed 7 inches.
  • Weight shall not exceed 5 ounces.
  • Axles, wheels, and body shall be from the materials provided in the kit.
  • Wheel bearings, washers, and bushings are prohibited.

What is the maximum wheel width of a Pinewood Derby car?

The overall length of the car shall not exceed 7 inches. The overall width of the car shall not exceed 2 ¾ inches. The width between wheels must have 1 ¾” clearance.

How far apart should the wheels be on a Pinewood Derby car?

How close should pinewood derby wheels be to the car? The hub of the wheel should be a credit card thickness (about . 03″) away from the car block but can be as much as . 1″.

Can you bend Pinewood Derby axles?

Use bent polished axles. Bending your Pinewood Derby car axles with a bending tool will make the wheels ride up against the nailhead, which creates less friction than if the wheel is bouncing around and rubbing against the wooden Pinewood Derby car body.

How do you put tires on a Pinewood Derby car?

Pinewood Derby Axle Installer

  1. Lubricate the wheel and axle – Slide the axle into the wheel.
  2. Place the wheel/axle on the base with the pointed end of the axle up.
  3. Place the Axle Guide in the axle slot.
  4. Hold the Axle Guide in place with your thumb then gently press the car body straight down on the axle.

Can you modify Pinewood Derby wheels?

Only wheels and axles from the official Pinewood Derby kit may be used. Beveling, routing, tapering, perforating or any other significant altering of the shape and performance of the wheels is prohibited. The tread may not be modified to enhance its performance and must be a completely flat surface.