To buy a pinewood derby track, you will likely have to buy it online and have it shipped to New Zealand. While I’m aware of at least one group that has done this, but the cost of importing one is likely beyond the means of most groups. It you don’t have a nearby Group or Zone to borrow a track from, your only other option is to make one.
Pinewood Derby has been a Scouting event in the United States for more than 60 years. Back then pinewood tracks were made from wood. Now days most Scout groups in the US buy aluminum tracks so there are not that many plans around for home made tracks. This post lists the plans I have come across.
Bosworth Track
Christchurch Zone uses tracks based on a design by Larry Bosworth. We made our first track from these plans in 2014, and 10 years later when we needed a second track, the first one had proved to work reliably and last well so we built a second one to the same plans.
The plans suggest making the track deck from plywood and gluing laminate to it. I was donated 12mm carcass board for the track (MDF with a thin hard laminate on both sides, used for the insides and backs of kitchen cabinets) and this has proved a long lasting surface. The laminate is very smooth which makes for fast cars, and is relatively easy to clean graphite off using Jif and a damp cloth. The downside of MDF is its heavier, more susceptible to swelling with moisture, and edge damage from impacts. To counter this I edged it with pine strips. If I was starting over, I would use a good quality plywood, and either laminate it, or buy it pre-laminated (like White Gloss HPL on Poplar Plywood).
The starting box mechanism in these plans is made from aluminium strips, threaded rod, and some nuts and washers making the parts easy to source. Track joins are double overlapped with over-centre catches which makes for very secure joins that are smooth (important to prevent cars jumping off the track at the joins).
One Page Plan #1
This is the simplest track plan I have come across with everything shown on a single page. Again the plan specifies plywood my MDF could be used (but would be heavier). Sections are just screwed together, and its designed to just be propped up on a step ladder, removing the need for legs and keeping the materials to a minimum.
The starting gate is made from easily sourced PVC pipe and joiners. This design doesn’t have any end stop for the cars, but a bean bag works well for this.
One Page Plan #2
Similar the previous one page plan, this one is made from plywood. It features a raised finish to slow down cars at the end, and has folding legs so it is self contained.
The starting gate pins are wooden dowels in this design, which would be a bit sturdier than the PVC option. Large rubber bands are use to create a simple spring mechanism.
Grand Prix Track Plans
Another good track option. This plywood track has well designed section joints with Tee Nuts and bolts which would make for very secure joins.
Download Grand Prix track Plans
The track has integrated legs and a very simple low profile start gate mechanism making for easy storage.
This track appears straight forward to build, and look like it would be durable and reliable.
