How long is a typical pinewood derby track?
How long is a typical pinewood derby track?
How long do you want your track? Typical wood tracks are 32 feet plus a landing zone. Some tracks extend to 40 feet to make the race longer and more exciting, but you must consider that some cars may have difficulty reaching the finish line with longer tracks. The starting gate of the track should be four feet high.
How much does it cost to build a pinewood derby track?
Commercial 4-lane pinewood derby tracks run anywhere from $800 to $1200 in 2013 depending on whether you want plastic, wood or aluminum. This expense prevents many clubs from purchasing one.
How do you make a fast derby car?
Clint gave us some top tips on how to increase the speed of your LEGO® race car:
- Make it heavy!
- Make sure that your tires don’t rub against the side of your car!
- Larger LEGO® wheels are generally faster than smaller LEGO® wheels.
- If you can, use Technic axles and wheels instead of the clip-on wheels, they are faster!
What is the angle of a pinewood derby track?
The track should slope from about 30 degrees at the start line changing gradually to 0 degrees about 12 feet from the start line then the track should run flat to the finish line. The remainder of the track is an overrun area to allow the cars to stop.
How fast do pinewood derby cars go mph?
A fast Pinewood Derby® car can reach a speed of nearly 20 miles per hour. Pretty good for a little block of wood!
How big is a pinewood derby car track?
How to Build a Pinewood Derby Car Track. Wood tracks are usually 32 feet long and aluminum tracks are 45 feet long. Alunimum provides a smoother surface than wood and is more durable. The advantage of wood is that you can usually scrounge up most of the material at low cost.
What kind of wood do you use for a derby track?
Electronic timers are worth the cost for three and four lane tracks, as sometimes races can be too close to decide a winner by eye. The most common building material for a derby track is pinewood. Pinewood is lightweight and durable enough to make a decent pinewood derby track.
How tall should the starting gate be at Pinewood Derby?
The starting gate of the track should be four feet high. The slope of the track should start at 30 degrees at the starting gate, changing gradually to 0 degrees by about 12 feet from the start. The rest of the track should be flat.
What should the finish line be on a derby track?
The finishing line is usually at ground level but you might consider raising the whole track several inches for better visibility. The track should slope from about 30 degrees at the start line changing gradually to 0 degrees about 12 feet from the start line then the track should run flat to the finish line.