Watchly Safety Review

40 MPH Pinewood Derby Car- HOW TO

1:36 · 5.2M views · April 16, 2014

Minor FlagsReviewed June 2026

4Minor Flags

This short, humorous Pinewood Derby video is generally safe and entertaining for older kids, though it casually demonstrates a CO2-powered car modification that was disqualified for good reason and could inspire unsafe imitation. The creator is self-aware and funny about the failure, and even redirects viewers to a fully legal, science-based build — which is the stronger educational takeaway here.

Content Breakdown · 4 Categories

Realistic Violence, Threats & WeaponsA little

The video describes a CO2 cartridge being punctured by a nail via a staple gun mechanism, which is a minor mechanical process rather than a depiction of violence or a weapon threat; no harm to people or animals is involved.

See evidence (1)

“My firing mechanism is just an electric staple gun. I've loaded it with brads or like little nails so it could puncture the top of the CO2 cartridge.”

Toxic Behavior ModelingA little

The video humorously celebrates cheating in a competition by using jet propulsion in a Pinewood Derby race that prohibits it. While framed lightly and self-deprecatingly (the creator was disqualified), it does model rule-breaking as clever and entertaining, which may be mildly concerning for younger viewers.

See evidence (2)

“I was disqualified because apparently using jet propulsion goes against the spirit of the competition.”

“Description: How to build a 40 MPH (slightly illegal) Pinewood Derby car.”

Dangerous Internet ChallengesA little

The video demonstrates how to build a CO2-propelled toy car that reaches 40 MPH, including puncturing a pressurized cartridge with a nail-loaded staple gun. While framed as a fun engineering project rather than a viral challenge, the mechanism involves a pressurized cartridge and improvised firing device that could pose a minor safety risk if replicated unsafely by children without supervision.

See evidence (2)

“My firing mechanism is just an electric staple gun. I've loaded it with brads or like little nails so it could puncture the top of the CO2 cartridge.”

“And that theory works approximately 40% of the time.”

Low-Quality, Extreme & Stunt ContentA little

While the video has a light stunt element (building an intentionally rule-breaking race car), it is brief, educational in tone, and does not rely on shock value, destruction, or endurance gimmicks for its appeal.

What Parents Need to Know

This video shows a creator using a CO2 cartridge and a homemade electric staple-gun firing mechanism to propel a Pinewood Derby car — a project that was disqualified from competition and carries real safety risks if attempted without proper supervision. The CO2 cartridge puncturing method and improvised trigger are not presented with safety warnings, which could be a concern if a curious child tries to replicate it. On the positive side, the video is brief, lighthearted, and self-deprecating about the failure; the creator explicitly acknowledges the disqualification and pivots to promoting a legal, science-based alternative build. Kids who watch this can learn something about physics (force vectors, propulsion) and the importance of following rules in competition.

Talk to Your Kids About

1Why do you think the organizers disqualified this car? Do you think the rules were fair?
2The creator talks about 'force vectors' — can you explain in your own words what that means and how it made the car move?
3Would you ever try to build something like this? What safety steps would you want to take first, and who would you ask for help?
4The creator lost but then made a legal car that won every race. What does that tell you about finding creative solutions within the rules?

Protected Viewing

What's This Video About?

How to build a 40 MPH (slightly illegal) Pinewood Derby car. If you want to know how to make a car that is actually legal that still dominates the competition, here y'are: http://youtu.be/-RjJtO51ykY

Frequently Asked Questions

What age is this video appropriate for?

We recommend this video for ages 10 and up. While the content is brief and humorous, the CO2 cartridge modification involves a makeshift puncturing device that younger children might be tempted to imitate without understanding the risks.

Is this video safe for kids to watch?

It is largely safe, but parents should be aware that the video demonstrates an improvised CO2-powered mechanism without any explicit safety warnings. The tone is comedic and the creator acknowledges the disqualification, which provides some natural framing around why this approach is not appropriate.

Could a child be inspired to try this dangerous build at home?

There is a mild risk that a curious older child could attempt to replicate the CO2 cartridge setup, which involves puncturing a pressurized canister. Parents of hands-on kids should watch alongside them and use it as a conversation starter about safe experimentation.

Is there anything educational in this video?

Yes — the creator briefly explains the concept of force vectors to describe how the angled hole keeps the car on the track, which is a real physics concept. The video also links to a follow-up where the creator builds a legal, science-based car in 45 minutes, which is more substantively educational.

Does the video contain any advertising or inappropriate content?

No advertising, inappropriate language, or mature content was detected. The video is short, clean, and family-friendly in tone aside from the safety concern around the CO2 mechanism.

What is the main message kids take away from this video?

The main takeaway is a mix of humor and mild rule-breaking, but the creator's self-aware acknowledgment of disqualification and pivot to a legal solution models a healthy attitude toward failure and problem-solving within boundaries.