Derby Talk

...On a constant-slope track, moving the COM does not affect the energy available. A car will be more stable if the COM is closer to the center of the triangle formed by its dominant wheels (typically, the dominant front wheel and the two rear wheels). But IIRC, on a rail-rider, it is an advantage ...

GravityRacer wrote:I like it (but not pickles). Too bad they don't make green wheels.

With the yellow stripes, you might give the yellow wheels a try...

Bubba

Excellent Video!!!

Congrats to you both.

Bubba

..What I was trying to illustrate was that if your rules prohibit the narrowing of the front, you can get still attain the performance advantage available from the narrowed front while still observing the stated rule. If your rules are strict enough to eliminate the options Randy describes above (i...

The District event will be by invitation, where each Pack is able to send 15 scouts to the event (Ideally the top 3 finishers in each Rank ). What would be the most efficient way to convey the instructions on how to transmit from the pack level to the District Event coordinator the race data for th...

...over hand held, I suggest a foam sanding block. Even if you use finer paper on top, the block itself will keep it more steady and uniform. The 'give' of foam over a hard block seems to be alot more forgiving to sanding wheels. Just double check your rules before "freehanding" or "...

Sorry to hear about the unfortunate event. Maybe you should get with him (not accuse him) but volunteer to help him check cars next year and you can create some accountability with him, and he you. We have several fairly knowledgeable Dads on our PWD Committee, and as a rule we NEVER allow a Dad to...

So best bet - lighter wheels and machined axles with high polish? That would be my guess, esp. if you had the "rookie" inspection crew. We had a similar occurence a couple years ago (both 1 gram and 2.2 gram wheels in the finals) at our Council races. Care to guess if they won? Bear in mi...

It would have been deflating for the Scouts to be beaten by a 4 year old girl's car. Keep the Siblings separate. Older Scouts (i.e. Boy Scouts in an Open Class) and Adults should (I know, the operative word is SHOULD) be mature enough to handle watching their "Hot Rod" follow a Barbie car...

FWIW I would encourage you to keep the siblings separate. We also have adult / sibling races (the night before) as a supplement to the boy's race to "share the fun", but the main event is really for the Boys as part of their program. Even if you run the siblings right after the boys are do...

...I told her that some of the rules were vague like the one in question. She then asked if I would like to be on the County council committee. A golden opportunity. :D If you're fortunate the committee will be open to your suggestions about how to clarify things. Bear in mind that volunteer commit...

As usual, your and Noah's work is simply amazing. :clap: :dance: I, for one, greatly appreciate the In Process pictures. I do have one question about the block surrounded by shavings. Are the shavings from shaping the block with a knife (i.e. whittlin' :wink: ), or do you use a different tool for th...

An afterthought:

Is it safe to assume that just a "select few" of the wheels actually touch the track?

Bubba

gpraceman wrote:Whoa...now that is COOL!

Agreed.

VERY, VERY NICE!

Bubba

p.s. When's she gonna run?

...I used a heat gun to try and make it more flexible so I could reform the upper bend, but instead it acted like a Shrinky Dink and shrunk down and looked pretty darn good. :shock: Shrinky Dink? :shock: I think that's the first I've heard of them in over 30 years LOL. :doh: Bubba p.s. Odd thing, t...