Pinewood Derby Q&A

On a Pinewood Derby Car does it go faster with weights in the front, back, or center?

Public Comments

1. it depends on the car....try your car out and see how it travels...you can tape coins on the car in different areas to determine where you need the weights.
2. grannybc seems to know what she is talking about,thumbs up and best answer to her.
3. It depends on the track not the car. If the track has a flat slope (like a long hill from start to finish) then the weight should be in the front to pull it, but if the track has a steep sloped more at the beginning then flattens out on the middle then the weight should be in the back (balance point about 1 inch in front of the rear wheels.the thought behind this is the weight stays on the hill as long as possible. My son won not only his pack but district as well!!
4. Here are the facts you need.... http://www.buckskin.org/Resources/Cubs/pinewood_derby.htm Near bottom of page. Here's a design that is sure to WIN! http://cgi.ebay.com/ULTRA-FAST-PINEWOOD-DERBY-CAR-BUILT-by-PHYSICS-TEACHER_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ2595QQihZ014QQitemZ330197566570QQrdZ1