Search found 20 matches

by Rainman
Fri Mar 14, 2008 1:29 am
Forum: General Car/Truck Racer Topics
Topic: Question about LWB cars and the tight radius tracks?
Replies: 6
Views: 6129

Re: Question about LWB cars and the tight radius tracks?

Our Pack uses a two lane older aluminum Bestrack. It has the tighter curve.

While I don't have any statistics to prove my point, it has been my experience that a std wheelbase, short bodied car has been fastest.
by Rainman
Fri Dec 21, 2007 11:57 pm
Forum: Cool Websites
Topic: Go Ask Grandpa PineWood Derby
Replies: 17
Views: 52117

Re: Go Ask Grandpa PineWood Derby

I built a "flex chassis" car for last years District Pinewood Derby. It was entered in the Outlaw Class. The rules were: same dimensions as the Normal Class, weight req. less than 7 oz. Trimmed wheels allowed. We ran on a 42 ft Aluminum track. All of the other cars came in at 7 oz. I could...
by Rainman
Sun Mar 18, 2007 10:12 pm
Forum: General Coordinator Topics
Topic: Unfair Rules
Replies: 31
Views: 44393

Re: Unfair Rules

WOW! That's really a sad situation your in the middle of. If you are winning, and staying within legal "design" limits I just can't imagine a set of rules like this. I hate to say it, but most of the time the boys understand competition better than the adults. It just seems petty. Young so...
by Rainman
Sat Feb 17, 2007 3:19 am
Forum: Planning, Preps & Running the Race
Topic: District event who do you invite?
Replies: 19
Views: 22563

Re: District event who do you invite?

While at our District Banquet on Feb 8th, it was announced by the DE that a Pack was needed to sponsor the District Derby. Its been on the schedule since last year. I don't know if it was poor planning or someone "bailed" out. Long story short, our DE asked our Pack to put on the District ...
by Rainman
Thu Dec 28, 2006 10:44 pm
Forum: General Car/Truck Racer Topics
Topic: eBay car. Would YOU Stomp it or let it Pass?
Replies: 38
Views: 37388

Re: eBay car. Would YOU Stomp it or let it Pass?

Only If you can prove without a reasonable doubt would I DQ the car. I would strongly advise the parent to help his son build a car. If the parent refuses, then car does not go on the track and I would not allow it to be judged in the workmanship/paint or most unusual contests. My main conern is not...
by Rainman
Thu Dec 28, 2006 10:19 pm
Forum: General Car/Truck Racer Topics
Topic: Wood, wood, and more wood
Replies: 24
Views: 23675

Re: Wood, wood, and more wood

The issue of using other wood came up last year during our workshops. We had a few boys that either ruined the original piece of wood, decided they liked another shape better or just wanted to make more than 1 car. I personally did not have a problem and tweeked our rules to allow additional types o...
by Rainman
Sat Dec 23, 2006 10:21 pm
Forum: Car & Semi-Truck Construction
Topic: Which axle location to use for front and back wheels?
Replies: 16
Views: 30571

Re: Which axle location to use for front and back wheels?

Our Pack requires keeping the "stock" wheel base. Over the past couple of years we've had very good success with shorter cars. Usually the front axle is about 1/4 inch from the front and the rear axle about 1/2 from the rear. The weight is concentrated 3/4 inch in front of the rear axle. O...
by Rainman
Sat Dec 23, 2006 9:19 pm
Forum: Car & Semi-Truck Construction
Topic: Long wheel-base or Standard?
Replies: 46
Views: 43867

Re: Long wheel-base or Standard?

Our Pack rules state the "stock" wheelbase must be maintained. My son has had very favorable results with a short car. (He likes the VW Beetle design.) Usually the front axle slot is about 1/4 inch from the front of the car, so the front wheels actually extend a little past the front. (Our...
by Rainman
Sat Dec 23, 2006 9:18 pm
Forum: Car & Semi-Truck Construction
Topic: Long wheel-base or Standard?
Replies: 46
Views: 43867

Re: Long wheel-base or Standard?

Our Pack rules state the "stock" wheelbase must be maintained. My son has had very favorable results with a short car. (He likes the VW Beetle design.) Usually the front axle slot is about 1/4 inch from the front of the car, so the front wheels actually extend a little past the front. (Our...
by Rainman
Sat Dec 23, 2006 2:50 am
Forum: Commercial
Topic: Extending Our Aluminum Track/ Need track sections.
Replies: 4
Views: 8337

Extending Our Aluminum Track/ Need track sections.

Our Pack has an aluminum 2 lane track, which was purchased 4 to 5 years ago. I would like purchase a couple of extra track sections to lengthen it. Each aluminum 2 lane track section is actually 2 single lanes, held together with a piece of aluminum angle and a bolt. the head of the bolt fits in a c...
by Rainman
Fri Oct 20, 2006 5:59 am
Forum: Raingutter Regatta
Topic: Raingutter Regatta Track Designs
Replies: 10
Views: 49997

Re: Raingutter Regatta Track Designs

Our Raingutter Regatta is this weekend. For years we have used old gutters and have to deal with boats hanging up. This year I went to the local plumbing supply store and bought a 20 ft section of PVC 4" dia. ($1.25 ft). I decided 20 was too long so I cut it in half. Cut the section in half usi...
by Rainman
Thu Mar 23, 2006 6:31 pm
Forum: Planning, Preps & Running the Race
Topic: What to do about bought e-bay car?
Replies: 15
Views: 24034

Re: What to do about bought e-bay car?

The worst thing that could have happened was that nothing was said to the father and son. If the puchased car had won, there could have been hard feelings from the other competitors.

I tip my hat you for having the will to "call" them on it.


I just love happy endings.


jr
by Rainman
Thu Mar 23, 2006 6:11 pm
Forum: Planning, Preps & Running the Race
Topic: Conducting a Trials Night - The Race Before The Race?
Replies: 10
Views: 14161

Re: Conducting a Trials Night - The Race Before The Race?

Our Pack did not have a "warm up" or testing session this year because our Race official deemed it was not needed. (Much to my chagrin) Of the 45 cars entered this year, 29 required changes either to be legal, or to adust weight. It was mostly weight. So having the "offical" scal...
by Rainman
Wed Mar 22, 2006 3:40 pm
Forum: General
Topic: Who has the longest track?
Replies: 37
Views: 59528

Re: Who has the longest track?

The "mental picture" I had in my head was something like M Parrish's post on the 110 ft track. We have access to several school gym's for an event. I was thinking of having the starting gate at the stage, and the boys would actually go up on the stage to put their cars on the starting gate...