Car Plans 8 – Download

Whether you are involved in a Pinewood Derby® race through Cub Scouts or Boy Scouts, an Awana Grand Prix(1), or a similar race through Royal Rangers, Indian Guides, Christian Service Brigade, or another organization, Maximum Velocity! Car Plans 8 provides you with three car design plans to turn your car kit into a winning car. All plans include templates and step-by-step instructions, and the plans provide for:

• Optimal quantity of weight
• Optimal weight placement for both the standard (scouting) wheel base and the extended wheel base (Click here for more information about Wheel Bases)

Also included is a construction timetable, woodworking tips, weigh-in instructions, thoughts on adult involvement in the pinewood derby car building process, and a bibliography. Most importantly, all of the information is in an easy to read format with many helpful drawings and diagrams.

The three plans in the Car Plans 8 booklet are relatively simple to build, thus, they are ideal for those who have had limited experience with woodworking and with pinewood derby racing.

Here are examples of some of the cars that can be built using the plans in the booklet. Note that either wheel base can be used with any design or option(2), and that the color and any desired decals are selected by the builder.

(1)Templates are not provided for the Awana 'centered' wheelbase. Check your local rules to see if the standard or extended wheel base can be used.
(2)The NitroRail and Barracuda are only available in a standard wheelbase.

The Nitrorail

The NitroRail is a take on the classic slingshot dragster. With an aggressive look (and balance point), the car looks fast and is fast.

In addition to the car kit and basic hand tools, you will need the following supplies to build THE NITRORAIL:

• 16-18 Steel Bar Weights (Available at Maximum Velocity)
• 3 - 3/16 inch Tungsten Cubes or Tungsten Putty (Available at Maximum Velocity)
• Plastic Car Parts (Available at Maximum Velocity)
• 1/4 inch Brad Point or Forstner Drill Bit
• 1/4 inch wood chisel

Red pinstriping and the Spyder decal was used to customize the car in the photo.

The Barracuda

THE BARRACUDA is a futuristic speedster, complete with plastic dome for the cockpit. With an aggressive look (and balance point), the car looks fast and is fast.

In addition to the car kit and basic hand tools, you will need the following supplies to build THE BARRACUDA:

• 16 Steel Bar Weights (Available at Maximum Velocity)
• 6 - 3/16 inch Tungsten Cubes or Tungsten Putty (Available at Maximum Velocity)
• Plastic Car Canopy (Available at Maximum Velocity)
• 25/64 inch Brad Point Drill Bit (Available at Maximum Velocity)
• 1/4 or 3/8 inch wood chisel

THE BARRACUDA in the photo was finished with a paint stencil, and the clear dome was painted red.

The Vector

THE VECTOR is very low, sleek, fast, and aggressively weighted. Tapering from 3/8 inch to 1/4 inch thick (at the front), the car streaks down the track, producing top results. With the Tungsten Triangular Canopy, the bulk of the weight is focused in one area, minimizing the rotational inertia of the car.

In addition to the car kit and basic hand tools, you will need the following supplies to build THE VECTOR:

• Tungsten Canopy (2.5 oz) (Available from Maximum Velocity)
• 8 - 1/4 inch Tungsten Cubes (Available at Maximum Velocity)
• 8 - 3/16 inch Tungsten Cubes (Available at Maximum Velocity)
• 1/8, 1/4, and 1/2 inch Brad Point or Forstner drill bits
• Wood Chisel - 1/4 inch wide blade
• The car in the photo sports a custom paint job.

THE VECTOR is very low, sleek, fast, and aggressively weighted. Tapering from 3/8 inch to 1/4 inch thick (at the front), the car streaks down the track, producing top results. With the Tungsten Triangular Canopy, the bulk of the weight is focused in one area, minimizing the rotational inertia of the car.

In addition to the car kit and basic hand tools, you will need the following supplies to build THE VECTOR:

• Tungsten Canopy (2.5 oz) (Available from Maximum Velocity)
• 8 - 1/4 inch Tungsten Cubes (Available at Maximum Velocity)
• 8 - 3/16 inch Tungsten Cubes (Available at Maximum Velocity)
• 1/8, 1/4, and 1/2 inch Brad Point or Forstner drill bits
• Wood Chisel - 1/4 inch wide blade
• The car in the photo sports a custom paint job. The canopy was painted to match the car.