Derby Talk

Alex, I think you have seen most of this message board suggestions. Since there is money involved, and your "tips/tricks" might upset people who aren't experts. When money is involved, people might be more argumentive than they would otherwise. And if a "extended wheel base car" ...

A few things: At a district level, aerodynamic design probably does matter, but only to a point. Your aerodrag is a function of Frontal Area and shape. The smaller the frontal area, the lower the drag. The other KEY factor is to plan and design the weighting system, while keeping the maximum height ...

You can never control a conversation or a board. A string goes where it may. And it dies when it is done.

The most intresting material on these boards can be found under a topic that it has nothing to do with.

Also give an estimate the number of racers with the place. 2 out of 32 is as impressive as 1 out of 8 racers. And I would love see the folks who are going to be real enough to actually admit losses :cry: . In fact, I ussually respect them more. (If they don't give excuses.) BTW 2003 (over a year ag...

Also give an estimate the number of racers with the place. 2 out of 32 is as impressive as 1 out of 8 racers.

And I would love see the folks who are going to be real enough to actually admit losses . In fact, I ussually respect them more. (If they don't give excuses.)

I did a test with my Tungsten Putty to estimate it's density. I drilled hole in a piece of wood so that a 6 gram cylinder weight (5.95g) as measured fit snuggly in the hole and just to the top of the hole (thus about .9 cm deep). I weighed the piece of wood without any weight, with the cylinder, and...

Racing in "ranks" with different check in times really does keep the kids under control. The only boys running around are the sons of the race judges and workers, the rest of them are racing. FOOD Tables is a great way to offset the cost of a pinewood derby. Great way to offset the costs o...

MaxV just released this months derby-times, and he said 3 wheels saves 10 inches at the finish line. So I guess it matters (I would not of thought it was that much) Getting 4 wheels touching is a nitemare for most parents and a really trying day when you are working the inspection table. Our council...

I cringe at the idea of having a den-built rule Pinewood derby race. This seems like a short sighted idea that really robs parents and child of a potentiall awesome memorable experience. I don't think I ever won a PWD race as a kid, but the fact that MY DAD worked with me on a car, I REMEMBER THAT ...

I do have the tungsten Putty. It is sold for fishing weights under a product called "sticky weights", it is about 5 dollars and ounce. The density is not the same as tungsten metal, but it's pretty heavy. I think it's density is probably close to lead. (I will try to measure.) If you use t...

Derby Chairmen this year, committee member the 2 years prior. My sons are in awana's also, but I will likely remain silent on that front. (I have too many balls in the air already.)

But it is easier to get the car to roll straight with 1 raised wheel.

Since we use the insane 4 wheel touching rule, and I have ran our inspection table I can say this:

I sometimes think it might be easier to get the car to roll straight then it is to get all 4 wheels touching.

I am not against kit cars per se. A kit car allows a child/parent to get a fairly decent start on a respectiable car. IE cutting the car is very hard too do if you don't have the time, expertise, and access to the right tools. I think the kit cars are something that I would want to leave alone, beca...

Left Right really doesn't matter. Getting the car to roll straight is going to be where it is at. See the wax paper shiming topic, this is a great trick to get the car to roll straight. It might seem complicated, but if the car rolls straight and the wheels are not biased in or out, the car will hav...

Regarding tugsten fishing weights. I have used them, they work well, but aren't optimal. The excaliber 3/4 ounce bullet weights work best for cars, they are 7/8 inch long, so two of them can be slide accross the width of the car. But the very shape isn't the most efficent use of space. http://www.lu...