Derby Talk

This started out in another thread, but I thought that this would make a good reference to keep handy at the top of this forum as a "sticky" topic, so people don't have to dig through lots of posts.

Here is the equipment checklist that I have used for our races. I will tweak this list, if anyone has inputs for things to add.

Note: Our pack's track is a Piantedosi Freedom track, so if yours is different, then you would need to tailor the track and tools sections.

Here is the equipment checklist that I use for our races:

====================================

Race Track
+ Race Track Sections, Joiner Plates, Hardware, Weight Bar, Spacers, Stop Section, Start Gate
+ 10lb Weights (2)
+ Towel or Jacket [for last chance stopping of cars]
+ Test Cars

Electronics
+ Timer, Power Supply, Computer Cable, Start Switch & Cable
+ Laptop, Power Supply, Mouse
+ USB to Serial Adapter [if no serial port on laptop]
+ Printer, Power Supply, USB Cable, Paper
+ Projector, VGA or S-Video Cable (as applicable)
+ Portable Projection Screen [or shine projector on wall]
+ Race Data File
+ PC Speakers or XLR to 1/8" speaker cable [for sound effects]
+ Power Strip (2 if using video camera)
+ Video Camera and Tripod (optional)
+ Extension Cords (2)

Track Setup Tools
+ Cordless Drill, 5/32" Allen Bit [teardown only]
+ 5/32" Allen Wrenches
+ Small Phillips Screwdriver

Check-in Supplies
+ Official Weigh Scale
+ Official 5.0 oz. Weight
+ Car Go/No-Go Gauge
+ Printed Race Roster
+ Dot Stickers for Car Numbers and a magic marker
+ Pencils/Pens

Staging Area Supplies
+ Several 1x2's [to keep cars in rows and keep from rolling off table]
+ Car Carrying Boxes

Pit Area Supplies
+ Drill Press, vice (with soft jaws) and forstner bits
+ Graphite (or other approved lube) and pie tin to contain the mess
+ Glue gun and glue sticks
+ Spare wheels and axles
+ Weights (nuts, bolts, pennies, washers, or whatever)
+ Super glue [for emergency repairs]
+ Weigh scale [for weight tuning]
+ Power strip and extension cord
+ Pliers (2 pairs) [for snapping off pieces of zinc weights]

Race Area Supplies
+ Banners, table cloths and other decorations
+ Cones and Bases [for crowd control]
+ Design judging sheets
+ Duct Tape [for taping down cords]

Cleanup Supplies
+ Paper Towels
+ All Purpose Cleaner
+ Dust Broom

Randy,
As stated before that is a great list!

I didn't see Tylenol or aspirin on there though.

Lynn

BigDozer66 wrote:I didn't see Tylenol or aspirin on there though.

And maybe a good antacid!

I picked up some wing screws for our track's leg supports, so I should be able to strike the phillips screwdriver from the list.

Would Torx bolts be better than Allen's are for these tracks?

Lynn

BigDozer66 wrote:Would Torx bolts be better than Allen's are for these tracks?

Maybe, but you would have to get quite a few of them. Though you wouldn't have to replace all of them, just the ones to join the sections. I haven't seen Torx screwdrivers, so you may have to use a cordless drill to setup and teardown if you do that (or a screwdriver that you can use different bits on).

I might look into that when I get the track here. I have a Fastenal right across the street so I can drop in and look around.

I have a couple interchangeble bit screwdrivers that have Torx bits in them and I am pretty sure you can get a dedicated one also.

Lynn

I have the track and other goods in now.

I am going to get Torx bolts because the Hex head ones do not hold up very well.

Lynn

There seems to be a problem with button head torx screws.

There doesn't seem to be any that anyone makes.

Lynn

BigDozer66 wrote:There seems to be a problem with button head torx screws.

There doesn't seem to be any that anyone makes.

Lynn

http://www.mcmaster.com/ has them.

Pinewood Daddy wrote:

BigDozer66 wrote:There seems to be a problem with button head torx screws.

There doesn't seem to be any that anyone makes.

Lynn

http://www.mcmaster.com/ has them.

Well I guess I looked almost everywhere!

Thanks for the link and I will get some ordered before I need them again.

Lynn

Adding to cones for the race area, we made barrier poles out of PVC pipes. The poles are 8ft-10ft long. We added an end cap to each end that has a hole drilled through it so a loop of Paracord could be run through. The loops go over the top of the traffic cones. A large knot on the inside of the caps keeps the cord from pulling out. I never glued the caps on but you can if needed. Mine have worked fine for the last 4 years with just friction.

Last year we added yellow and black duct tape to the poles to make them look like caution tape. This isn't the best picture, but I think it shows what I'm talking about.


David Summers
Pinewood Nuts

Flat rugs no one can trip on to cover exposed wiring.
We are not allowed to use tape on our gym floors. Anything set on the floor, including the track, must have something under it, even if it is just a piece of cardboard.
I like the idea of money and Forstner bits for added weight. A piece of Indoor/Outdoor double face tape should hold it. Quick Fix. Make a sample board so scouts can see what you're doing.
Here's a sample.
#8 x 3/4" flat head Phillips head screws - 1.48 grams
Dime - 2.27 grams
Penny - New 2.51 grams
Penny - 1981 3.16 grams
Nickel - 5.07 grams
Quarter - 1999 Delaware 5.69 grams
3/8" x 5" lead rod (Hodges Hobby House) if you run into a serious problem.
Make sample board the same as you did with pennies.

To add to the money idea which I agree with and have also been using for years... to hold in the money I use modeling clay, drop a stack of coins in the hole and plug it up with clay... the clay makes fine tuning the weight as easy as scraping off some clay with your finger or if you're really out it's easy to remove a coin... a little under weight? just put on another pinch of clay.