Search found 178 matches

by MathGuy
Wed Mar 03, 2004 12:59 pm
Forum: Scheduling Methods
Topic: How many points?
Replies: 16
Views: 23588

Re: How many points?

I will point out the ultimate point system. This system is beyond the computational abilities of the average derby committee, and definitely beyond explaination to a typical parent. I will start with the simple question, does a victory over the 10th and 20th rank car be as impressive as a victory ov...
by MathGuy
Tue Mar 02, 2004 11:33 am
Forum: Car & Semi-Truck Construction
Topic: Evaluating PWD body designs
Replies: 44
Views: 38820

Re: Evaluating PWD body designs

The most straight forward way of testing some designs is to make a well aligned flat chassis for the axles and wheels. I would guess the chasis could be 6 inches long. Say 1/4 inch think. Run and time series of races with various shapes on the chasis. Then make some car tops/shapes to affix on top o...
by MathGuy
Tue Mar 02, 2004 9:06 am
Forum: Scheduling Methods
Topic: New Method: Tier Racing System (Sorting Method)
Replies: 31
Views: 47066

Re: New Method: Tier Racing System (Sorting Method)

As an alternative to Darin's suggestions on ranking, which depended on absence of lane bias, consider using "Who occupied rank A (maybe ranks A and B) during the last N rounds" to select finalists. If N > 1, then A-C oscillations are compensated for. This can probably reduce the effects o...
by MathGuy
Mon Mar 01, 2004 11:14 pm
Forum: General Car/Truck Racer Topics
Topic: Extended Wheelbases at District Championships
Replies: 11
Views: 12410

Re: Extended Wheelbases at District Championships

Every year at Pinewood derby, I see parents(Dads) for the first time, thus a pack meeting presentation might not be the best way. I suggest maybe might be to TAPE the instructions to the car box when you hand them out. Better yet, put the Kits and Rules in a large zip lock bag, this way axles and ru...
by MathGuy
Mon Mar 01, 2004 10:57 pm
Forum: Car & Semi-Truck Photos
Topic: Our winning car
Replies: 8
Views: 10979

Re: Our winning car

That car is something that I wanted to do at some point. The covered wheels aspect should have really helped the aerodynamic drag. (most cars, the open rolling wheels are the source of the greatest amount of drag)

Now since it was done, I have no reason to do it.

You guys did awesome.
by MathGuy
Mon Mar 01, 2004 3:45 pm
Forum: Do-It-Yourself
Topic: Help with Stop Section
Replies: 23
Views: 29067

Re: Help with Stop Section

I would just put a pillow at the end of the track. The cars will slide underneath the pillows and stay on the track. This with the rubberised stopers as you said should keep everything in control. We have used pillows for the last few years, no significant problems. The back stop is made out of a so...
by MathGuy
Mon Mar 01, 2004 3:23 pm
Forum: Cool Websites
Topic: Children's Pinewood Derby Web Sites
Replies: 2
Views: 7837

Re: Children's Pinewood Derby Web Sites

http://www.pwdracer.com/Page0011.htm I personally think this one is a great one for a kid. The tips are straight foward (not really complete), and there are MANY MANY Pictures that could generate allot of ideas. Explaining things like aerodynamics, weight placement, and friction in highly technical...
by MathGuy
Mon Mar 01, 2004 8:43 am
Forum: General Car/Truck Racer Topics
Topic: PWD Inspection Rules?
Replies: 44
Views: 46578

Re: PWD Inspection Rules?

What's that? How do you determine how much rounding is excessive? I assume you mean sanding the outside tread to remove the seam. Removing too much material would give you an advantage. Council Rules are: 7. Wheels: Wheels must he constructed from those supplied in regulation kit #17006 OR REPLACEM...
by MathGuy
Mon Mar 01, 2004 12:11 am
Forum: Car & Semi-Truck Photos
Topic: My son's car
Replies: 18
Views: 23007

Re: My son's car

We did 3 design awards at each level. Best Cub Scout or Patriotic Theme Best Car-Like Design Most Creative or Unusual Design Winner and runner ups got car stands. I might try to add one that is the "Roughest and Toughest" Design for the most ugliest car, (or car that looked the scout did 1...
by MathGuy
Sun Feb 29, 2004 11:54 pm
Forum: General Car/Truck Racer Topics
Topic: PWD Inspection Rules?
Replies: 44
Views: 46578

Re: PWD Inspection Rules?

The problem was that they added the 1/4 ounce weight at the pit area to the back of the car. Again, as you said probably not a big deal, but still a goof. Next year this is where we will get better. Overall we did pretty good, we bounced a few sets of wheels for excessive rounding and got everyones ...
by MathGuy
Sun Feb 29, 2004 8:57 pm
Forum: General Car/Truck Racer Topics
Topic: PWD Inspection Rules?
Replies: 44
Views: 46578

Re: PWD Inspection Rules?

Adding weight after weigh in would be a dasdardly deed indeed! Stan had asked if I could come up with a device to weight the cars at the start gate. Could do it but would cost too much to be practical. Terry One could impound the car at the end of the race, and reweigh the car at the end. BTW, we h...
by MathGuy
Sun Feb 29, 2004 8:12 pm
Forum: Car & Semi-Truck Photos
Topic: Blue and Gold Awards Today
Replies: 13
Views: 14327

Re: Blue and Gold Awards Today

We made car stands as den project. We did that well enough. In the past we only gave ribbons for design awards, I didn't like that. I put together two dozen stands for about 1.05 of material each. Next year, it will go to the Webelos dens for projects. I am interested in the metalic lable maker thou...
by MathGuy
Sun Feb 29, 2004 12:08 pm
Forum: General Car/Truck Racer Topics
Topic: Computer Problems at Derby? (Application of Murphy's Law)
Replies: 2
Views: 4964

Computer Problems at Derby? (Application of Murphy's Law)

We had a problem with our computers connections all working yesterday, I realized that this is not a uncommon thing at PWD. I had seen one at another's pack derby and last year's AWANA's race. A friend told me that they even had to postpone there race because the problems couldn't get resolved in ti...
by MathGuy
Sun Feb 29, 2004 11:59 am
Forum: Scheduling Methods
Topic: New Method: Tier Racing System (Sorting Method)
Replies: 31
Views: 47066

Re: New Method: Tier Racing System

Well, we have got it done. I think it was a great success. It took allot of preparation for the method to work well. Lots of comments were that the races moved quickly and I didn't see as many boys upset about the outcome. I will ask some others that weren't involved in running it for their feed bac...
by MathGuy
Fri Feb 27, 2004 10:00 pm
Forum: Car & Semi-Truck Construction
Topic: Evaluating PWD body designs
Replies: 44
Views: 38820

Re: Evaluating PWD body designs

Simulating Groud Effect for cars is very difficult. I have read some articles on this. When you blow wind accross a track and car, the inconsistency is the wind moving along the track, thus the ground effect is not being properly reproduced. To reproduce the ground effect, you almost need an rolling...