Draft Pinewood Derby Notes

[Ray Mothersell]

Hi Folks,

I wanted to take this opportunity to go over some of the rules for the Derby cars.

If you go to YouTube you'll find a lot of options for car modifications.  Please note that most of what you find out there is disqualifying.

Some of these are;

-Tilted or bent axles/wheels

-Riding on 3 wheels

-Polishing the wheels

The rules that come in the Derby kit will help guide you so there is not an issue on race day.

In years past the common modifications needed to be made to the cars before they could race where the following;

-4 wheels not touching flat on the ground.  3 wheels touched but the 4th was raised. This is corrected by keeping the axles straight in the block.  If you are struggling to get the axles in straight use a credit/gift card against the block and compress the two so the axle won't move when you push it in. 

-Total car weight going over 5oz.  If it is over weight it will have to be modified the day of the race prior to check in.  

-Car wieghts put on the bottom of the car that go past the underbody of the car.  It will touch the track and not work properly. 

-Length of the car cannot go beyond the original front and rear of the car.

-Width of the car cannot go beyond the original width of the wheels when attached to the car. 

Again please check the rules in the kit.  

Please feel free to contact me directly with any questions or concerns. 

Ray Mothersell