The latest
- Do raised front ends (cheater bars) work? Feb 27
Will adding a raised front end to your car help it get a head start? One of the pieces of misguided advice I often see is to install a raised front end (often called a “cheater bar”) in the car. The theory behind the cheater bar is that when the gate drops, the top moves before […]
- Maximizing weight Mar 24
Mike from Phoenix wrote in with an observation on how scales work, and how to use this to your advantage. I noticed at my sonβs pinewood derby this morning that his car weighed in at 5.1 ounces (the scale they used read out to one decimal place). I was a bit surprised and did a little […]
- EatSmart Digital Scale Feb 1
EatSmart sent me a review unit of their Precision Digital Scale to see if it was a fit for pinewood derby use. The scale is attractive and lightweight, and runs on two AAA batteries (included). It’s also inexpensive, retailing for just $25 on Amazon. The scale comes with the required two AAA batteries, a three […]
- Pinewood Founder podcast Dec 18
The Just My Show podcast has an interview with Donn Murphy, son of the creator of the Pinewood Derby and a participant in the very first Derby. In 1953, Don Murphy made Cub Scout history when he founded the Pinewood Derby. Over 50 years later, his son Donn is here talk about the race you grew […]
- CSAC Pinewood photos May 23
Looking for some design inspiration? The Columbus Society of Communicating Arts holds a pinewood derby each year as a fundraiser. As you might expect from a group of graphic designers and other creative pros, there’s some great car designs. For pictures from last year’s race, see the “2008 CSCA Pinewood Derby” set on Flickr.