Derby Talk

Besides storing in a dust free enviorment, also keep the wheels suspended. Over time the axles can cause a slight groove in the hub. You probably already knew this, but I just thought I'd mention it. Sometimes the small stuff gets overlooked. Good luck with your testing!!

We use Kit scratch remover wax on our wheels. Mainly to put the shine back from the sanding. We use the wheel shaver, then sand with 800 grit, then polish with the Kit. I don't believe it helps with speed other than keeping debris' from sticking as bad. He's won the S.C. state RA challenger and over...

RA car kits are made by two companies. Raracers.net in DeSoto TX. That's where we get our cars. The other is RoyalRacers.com in Sparta TN. The main difference in RA and BSA is the wheels. RA wheels are much thinner and come to a point on the tread surface. Similiar to the size of Razors. Don't get m...

Sorry it took so long to get back to your questions! We only have church and some assoc. races. Then the state race is open to everyone. It's usually done in conjuction with a track meet held by our state Baptist Conv. office. This year they decided not to have the track meet part. So I have been gi...

LG65, Welcome to the board! I've been involved in RA's in S.C. for five years. This is my son's last year as a Crusader. Next year he'll move up to our youth/challenger program. He's done pretty well over the years. He's been to the state race twice and won it all both times. We have the honor this ...

Doug, Welcome to the board! I know what your going to be up against. We have a penny pinching finance committee too. I bought our timer equipment and just donated it. I didn't feel like jumping through their hoops at the time. To answer your question, a good pre-made wooden track would cost between ...

That wheel placement would let you put the COG farther back. It's still not going to give you all the benefits of a true extended wheel base. If I were you, before I built it. I would contact the derby chairman. It would depend on their ruling at inspection, but if I'm thinking correctly. Your right...

If you can't get it smooth enough before inserting the axles. Try some clear 3-M vinyl tape. Just a small piece big enough to cover the hub area and wrap a little under the bottom. You can apply lube directly to it and it's smooth as glass. Then just stick the axle right through.

Teeeman, I think it would be hard to get this kind of bend in the right spot. It would be easier for the boys to do and to duplicate with the file. Also I'd favor starting alignment with a straight axle.

mbb, You can accomplish the concave on the axle with a round file. We use one I had to sharpen my chain saw. We put the axle in the drill with an old wheel used as a guide. Just space the axle out enough where the file can rest against the old wheel. This way it won't move around and scratch the axl...

Gpraceman, I thought about that too. I thought the impact on the wheels hitting an angled stationary object would possibly be worst on alignment than what we have now. I also considered if wheels weren't glued very tight, this jolt may pull them loose. We are hosting the state race in a month, so I ...

We had this happen last year and this year. We fixed ours with Crazy glue and a clamp. Last years car I dropped. (It won state) This years car split on the raised wheel side so it wasn't a real concern. Other than the axle not falling out. It's already won the local race and now on to state. I would...

We bought our track five years ago and nobody at our church knew anything about what track to buy. We ended up with a track with side rails instead of a center rail. From day one I have been scratching my head about how to stop the cars without damage to the wheels or alignment. Originally we had a ...

You should have adjusted the rear wheels first. The goal for the rear is to have them running on the axle in the middle 'so to speek'. When you push the car forward and backwards the wheels should not be moving toward the body or the axle head. To the axle head is better than the car body,but it's n...

I've tried the staggered wheel design. Similiar to the "Go Ask Granpa" car. It didn't seem to make alot of difference on the test car I used. It's kind of like crossing a speed bump with your car. Hitting the bump at an angle causes less of a jolt. Pinewood cars can't have springs, so the ...