Derby Talk

I noticed that too. Gone is the crunching when you first spin the wheel after applying the graphite. I wonder if that means you won't run a slower heat first. We used to apply lube and then run a couple of heats on our home track before packing up for the derby. I think now we're going to skip the h...

A rule against Ebay cars seems like an unenforceable rule. How can you really know where the car came from? If the car is legal in all other respects, what are you going to do? Accuse the dad/scout team of having bought the car? That sounds like a great way to create a really ugly situation. Why hav...

I am glad to see many voices against limiting axle placement to the original slots. My pack has such a restriction in order to "make the race more fair to all the boys." I have a hard time believing that this will result in any leveling of the playing field. The competitors who have enough...

This is a really great project for a sixth grader. I think the "wear-in" and graphite results are particularly interesting. A great idea for middle schools kids who are looking for a fun and informative science project.

Like most sites this is one where you have to sift through the information and find out what you'd like to try, time limitations considered, and see if you can make it work for you. I will say that I learned some things from this site that I haven't seen anywhere else.

Is the general belief that shimming is more easily done with slots than with holes? This is my first attempt at formal shimming. I always used trial and error before. Working with the shims and my drilled holes has proven to be a challenge.

In our pack the kids judge the best design contest. Sometimes they make good choices and sometimes they choose some pretty horrendous-looking cars. Adults would do a better job, but as they say, the derby is for the kids. Any thoughts on kids vs. adults judging design?

During the years we have had a workshop, it has seemed to tweak the interest of the kids and dads and we have had not only better cars, faster and better looking, but also the turnout for the race has been better. We had no workshop this year and the actual race suffered. I'm going to push for a ret...

They make 18 gauge needles that have a non-pointed tip, for drawing up medications with less chance of sticking yourself. You wouldn't have to cut off the end yourself. I don't know what gauge needle you were using, but the 18 is fairly big for a needle and might not fit as well between the hub and ...

My Pack doesn't allow a stretched wheel base. My district does. In order to be competitive with those packs who allow an extended wheel base, my son and I have to build a new car.