Search found 35 matches

by RRS73
Fri Feb 17, 2012 8:11 pm
Forum: General Car/Truck Racer Topics
Topic: Finishing weight gain?
Replies: 9
Views: 7833

Re: Finishing weight gain?

We had one coat of primer, one coat of paint, and one clear coat. All were Testor's One Coat lacquer. Total weight added was only 0.1 oz.
by RRS73
Thu Feb 09, 2012 6:42 pm
Forum: General Car/Truck Racer Topics
Topic: 1st in House
Replies: 18
Views: 13991

Re: 1st in House

I check every car that finishes at my workshop against an old 'test' car that's built fairly well, but has previous version of wheels, no RR etc... Usually any well built car will beat it. Maybe next year I'll get a better version of the 'test' car built. I brought my boy's old car from last year t...
by RRS73
Thu Feb 09, 2012 6:35 pm
Forum: General Car/Truck Racer Topics
Topic: Track Speed Change in Mid-Derby?
Replies: 16
Views: 14368

Re: Track Speed Change in Mid-Derby?

Our race times this year on a track that is nearly 50 feet long were an average of 0.2 seconds higher than last year. Differences from one year to the next can be due to differences in temperature, levelness of the track (fore/aft, side to side), track section alignment, racers have built better/wo...
by RRS73
Wed Feb 08, 2012 9:05 pm
Forum: Car & Semi-Truck Construction
Topic: Single most important element???
Replies: 16
Views: 14230

Re: Single most important element???

Thank you to all that posted replies. Here's how I approached this year's car: I bought a lot of accessories via Craigslist to resell to our Scouts for them to save some cash. In the box was a pre-cut dragster body that my son wanted to use. I cut it on the table saw to remove the axle slots then u...
by RRS73
Wed Feb 08, 2012 8:51 pm
Forum: General Car/Truck Racer Topics
Topic: Track Speed Change in Mid-Derby?
Replies: 16
Views: 14368

Re: Track Speed Change in Mid-Derby?

Our timer goes through holes in the track and screws in place. I'm not sure I can see how it can be bumped one way or the other, at least in our case. I think the one we were using was set with magnets (?). Could it be that the screws weren't in all the way and it got bumped. If it is a laser, coul...
by RRS73
Wed Feb 08, 2012 8:45 pm
Forum: Car & Semi-Truck Construction
Topic: Single most important element???
Replies: 16
Views: 14230

Re: Single most important element???

Two important elements beyond anything else: 1) Axle prep 2) Wheel alignment / Tuning Even more important than weight placement in my opinion. I've seen ridculously small cars win (shorter than 7") because they had superior axle prep and wheel alignment. Many Cubs in our pack show up on test an...
by RRS73
Wed Feb 08, 2012 8:34 pm
Forum: General Car/Truck Racer Topics
Topic: Track Speed Change in Mid-Derby?
Replies: 16
Views: 14368

Re: Track Speed Change in Mid-Derby?

I don't buy the graphite theory. The finish line timing sensor probably got bumped. All it takes is a little bump and your times improve (or get worse) drastically. Our race times this year on a track that is nearly 50 feet long were an average of 0.2 seconds higher than last year. We borrow the tra...
by RRS73
Wed Feb 08, 2012 7:49 pm
Forum: General Car/Truck Racer Topics
Topic: 1st in House
Replies: 18
Views: 13991

Re: 1st in House

geauxturbo wrote:Do they have council races after districts?
Not as far as I know. I wish they had state-wide races, or higher level than districts. It would be interesting to see how we would rank vs. the others across the region.
by RRS73
Wed Feb 08, 2012 5:31 pm
Forum: General Car/Truck Racer Topics
Topic: 1st in House
Replies: 18
Views: 13991

Re: 1st in House

Me and the boy finished the tuning and were thinking, "now what?" RACE. Against every hot wheels or other car in the house. One particular Gold colored futuristic rail riding Hot Wheels gave his PWD car a run for its money but came up just short. At 1.4 oz it would've gotten smoked in the...
by RRS73
Mon Feb 06, 2012 8:20 pm
Forum: Car & Semi-Truck Construction
Topic: Wheel question
Replies: 23
Views: 16344

Re: Wheel question

I agree with FS. Changing the wheels in the pit just before a race can doom any chances of winning, as you may not have enough time to get the alignment right. We are allowed to lightly sand or lathe our wheels to remove minor imperfections, but not appreciably lighten our wheels. I used the pro hub...
by RRS73
Mon Feb 06, 2012 7:40 pm
Forum: General Topics
Topic: General question on adjusting
Replies: 14
Views: 11925

Re: General question on adjusting

I'm hoping we have a test and tune. 5' doesn't inspire a lot of confidence ;) Based on my experience in my Pack, most cubs and adult helpers haven't even done half of what you've done. We got a good feel for our car on a 6 foot inclined board with yardsticks for a rail. We knew the car would be fas...
by RRS73
Mon Feb 06, 2012 6:16 pm
Forum: Car & Semi-Truck Construction
Topic: 1st in rank, 3rd in pack, on to districts...how to improve?
Replies: 9
Views: 7857

Re: 1st in rank, 3rd in pack, on to districts...how to impro

My cub won his den and pack race. We weren't satisfied with the margin of victory, so we polished up new axles and put new wheels on the car. Cub seemed to think that we used the wrong end of the RR tool on the rears and had only 1.5 degree bend on rears instead of 2.5. It sure seemed that way with ...
by RRS73
Mon Feb 06, 2012 6:10 pm
Forum: General Topics
Topic: General question on adjusting
Replies: 14
Views: 11925

Re: General question on adjusting

Thumbtack worked like a champ. Running true with only rears, wheels moving to axle heads. We added the front wheel and its steering nicely into the center rail, rears staying out and off the rail, front is going in and riding. 2.25" over four feet and it doesnt "slam". Thanks! We use...
by RRS73
Sat Feb 04, 2012 3:08 am
Forum: General Topics
Topic: How Important is Staging?
Replies: 22
Views: 19814

Re: How Important is Staging?

I staged cars last week for my son's derby. I don't believe there is an exact answer. Ideally, assuming no track imperfections, you want the DFW to stay off the rail as long as possible. However, we have a case in lane 3 of our track where there is a slight bulge between lane 2 and 3 at the top of t...
by RRS73
Fri Feb 03, 2012 7:31 pm
Forum: General Car/Truck Racer Topics
Topic: That last paint step
Replies: 12
Views: 9992

Re: That last paint step

Beautiful car! Best of luck to your boy. Hope to see some pics of trophies after your race!