Pinewood Derby Q&A

With NO rules whatsoever, how would you design a Pinewood Derby car?

Our company is having all of its stores design and build a pinewood derby car (starting with the official BSA kit) and then racing them all at its annual manager's meeting. The only rule is, there are no rules. Got any suggestions? The race will be in a standard pinewood derby format. Where they are released from about 4 feet in the air and roll down a slope, it ends in a straight away.

Public Comments

1. Put one of those model rocket engines on there and get two boy-scouting traditions out of the way with one stone.
2. is this like downhill derby? u could e-mail me and tell me about what this is so i can help u out. my mail is gearhead12356@yahoo.com
3. I'd strap Estes size D multi-stage model rocket engines in a tube mounted to the car... *Damn, didn't think anyone would beat me to that answer! **In truth, only two things will help--aerodynamic profile and reduced friction between the car and the track. Despite what's stated below, additional weight won't make the car go faster (ask Galileo, the original Pinewood Derby racer). So, find the most aerodynamic design that's reasonable to create and polish, polish, polish the wheels (use polished glass wheels, if possible). Friction will likely be a more significant factor than aerodynamics in this instance, because of the small profile of the car's leading edge and the limited speeds involved. And then there's always the rocket engines...
4. the denser it is the faster it will go. give it a nice tear-drop shape for aero dynamics, then hollow it out and fill it with lead shot. (or if you are willing to go toxic, melt the lead over a charcoal fire and pour it into the car.) you will have a very heavy aerodynamic car that should blow away the competition. the lead shot would work but you could pack more into it if you melt it. also consider dimples like on a golf ball they will give it even better aerodynamics. I too like rockets and rocket motors, but unless they are at precisely the right angle the car will leave the track.
5. I would us a computer CAD software and utilize airflow data and drag info plus friction info whatever I could apply to the increased performance of the car
6. Since there are no rules, tape bottle rockets to the two upper rear corners, and hope that the thing doesn't get blown apart in the qualifying races.
7. Find or create a aerodynamic fiberglass body. Use a go-kart chassis, steering, wheels and tires. leave the disk brake system functional, for awsome braking, optional back up parachute. Bolt a confortable seat. The heavier the beter
8. I would build a derby car that is the length of the track. As soon as I started, I would have finished.
9. reduce all friction. wheels should turn freely with no wobble. use pencil lead on the shafts. be sure the shafts are not the nails. move the whelels outward away from the body so you are not riding the rail all the way down the track, wheels should also not come into contact with the body of the car. so the axles should be built accordingly. even a small bearing for each wheel would be ok as well. use pencil lead or graphite on the inside of the wheels so when it does rub on the rails it will have less friction. shafts should be exactly horizontal and front to rear measurements exact, else it will turn into the rail constantly as it travels. some weight helps but not too much or it will take too long to get going. just my opinions hope it helps
10. I would just race my Porsche 911, or my top fuel dragster, since there aren't any rules whatsoever.