Building the Fastest Pinewood Derby Car ─ Speed Secrets for Crossing the Finish Line First!

There is no secret to creating the fastest pinewood derby car; all racers need is a great design and an understanding of these tips that trick their cars out for maximum speed. In three sections, this handbook takes builders from the beginning of car construction to ultimate derby-winning modifications. The "basic car" section addresses broad building concerns such as cutting the design, attaching and lubricating the wheels, and balancing the weight. "Winning car" secrets include extending the vehicle base, polishing axles, and modifying and aligning the wheels. Finally, the championship techniques of the "ultimate car" are revealed, allowing builders to shave those last tenths of a second off their times and go home with the trophy.

Creative Director for Fox Chapel Publishing, and a Pinewood Derby-winning dad, Troy Thorne is a graduate of Savannah College of Art and Design, and spent over 10 years in the advertising field. He is an active scouting volunteer, builds furniture and canoes, and works with his son who was a national finalist in the All-Star Derby Design Contest.