Pinewood Derby Speed Secrets
Experience the thrill of winning the Pinewood Derby!

Whether this is your first race or you are a seasoned competitor, Pinewood Derby Speed Secrets has all the advice and tips you need to bring home the trophy.

Featuring fully-illustrated, easy-to-follow instructions covering every step of the process, author David Meade, a research scientist and the father of two undefeated Derby champs, reveals his ultimate speed secrets for crossing the finish line first.

You'll discover:

  • How to build three levels of Pinewood Derby cars: The Winning Car, The Champion Car, and The Ultimate Car.
  • The fun of building the car with your child.
  • The secrets to preparing the wheels and axles, distributing weight, and shaving seconds off your race time.
  • Seven ready-to-cut templates.

By using the tips and techniques in Pinewood Derby Speed Secrets, you too will be sure to build a winning car while building memories that will last a lifetime.

Table of Contents:

A History of the Pinewood Derby
Chapter 1: Getting Started in the Pinewood Derby
  • Be safe - Basic safety guidelines
  • A Scout is Trustworthy - Official rules explained
  • Let Your Child Build the Car - Describes how your child can do most of the work.
  • General Guidelines for Car Design - What to think about when deciding on a design.
Chapter 2: Building the Car Body


  • The Winning Car - Ideal for beginners. An easy car to build yet fast enough to win.
    • Template
    • Cut the Design
    • Determine weight and weight placement.
    • Sand the car
    • Add the weights
    • Paint the car
    • Lubricate the wheel well
  • The Champion Car - Go beyond what most people do.
    • Extend the wheelbase
    • Create glue holes
    • Decal tips
  • The Ultimate Car - Go the extra mile and take home the trophy.
    • Bake the block
    • Quick start design
    • Improving standard designs
    • Make a three-wheeler
Chapter 3: Axle Preparation
  • The Winning Axles
    • Remove the burrs
    • Polish the axles
  • The Champion Axles
    • Taper the axle head
    • Polish the axle head
  • The Ultimate Axles
    • Find the best axles
    • Reduce contact surface area
Chapter 4: Wheel Preparation

  • The Winning Wheels
    • Polish the wheels
    • Lubricate the wheels
    • Liquid vs dry lubricant
  • The Champion Wheels
    • Wheel selection
    • Taper the wheel hub
    • Polish the inside rim
  • The Ultimate Wheels
    • Lathe-turned wheels
    • "H" and "V" configurations
    • Polish the wheel bore
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