2016 Pinewood Derby World Championship in Time Square

[Mojo Racing]

That does suck! They changed the rules last year at the last min as well.

Which is why I tell ALL of the boys that the real world championship is in Omaha...

None of my boys are racing in New York....

Stubs mom asked me about that race at MA, because there was a flier... and when I told her about all the BS that happens, she crumbled the paper up right then... It was kinda funny...

 

[Kinser Racing]

Last year they changed the rules completely with two weeks to go. There is still time for another change.

Which is a top reason this whole thread should go bye bye!

 

[~JBD RACING~]

Why waste your time at a event like this when you can league race.. + 1 Kinser .

 

[B_Regal Racing]

I'm only considering on going if I find that a few others are going - for the social aspects. I'm not truly interested in building a car, especially one that is graphite-powered. Although, I may have to brush up on my graphite skillz for other reasons.

 

[Vitamin K]

Would be interesting to have a sit-down with the organizers and see if they could be possibly made to understand why their flip-flopping on rules is so toxic to running a good event.

I think we should work hard to champion high-level and large-publicity Pinewood events, as more interest and exposure helps feed the hobby.

 

[Mojo Racing]

A sit-down?? These are people who think they know pinewood derby, and they all probably have big heads because they are putting on the "world championship".

They won't hear a single thing you say... they will all say something how they want to take it back to the roots... or the rules are in the box... or some other stupid excuse to limit the speed on the cars...

and a high level, large publicity event... you mean like Mid America?

 

[Vitamin K]

and a high level, large publicity event... you mean like Mid America?

I said events, plural.

Mid-America, Northern Star Council Derby. Maybe eventually this thing if they can get their [doo-doo] together?

 

[GravityX]

I'm not truly interested in building a car, especially one that is graphite-powered.

What I really think you meant to say was graphite-powdered. /images/boards/smilies/wink.gif

 

[Pacfanweb]

Leaving tomorrow morning for NY. Anyone else going?

I've never been and the kids haven't either, so figured it was a good way to get a taste of the Big Apple if nothing else.

Hoping to be competitive though.

 

[ccw13175]

Are you addressing the NSC or the "World Championship" derby here?

FWIW, I think the NSC has done a bang-up job creating the best Scouting-level rules in the country.

Pulling a wheel is obviously the most accurate way to verify wheel legality, but it does have certain repercussions, especially at the scout level.

That said, I do wonder how well the interior of a wheel can be checked with air shields in place. Perhaps some of the NSC folks could shed some light on that?

The nsc rules actually has a line in them that says ". If we can’t verify
that the wheels have not been lightened due to interior wheel weights, air dams, fenders,
or other reasons, we will ask YOU to take the wheels off for inspection."

 

[Pacfanweb]

The nsc rules actually has a line in them that says ". If we can’t verify that the wheels have not been lightened due to interior wheel weights, air dams, fenders, or other reasons, we will ask YOU to take the wheels off for inspection."

That's fair enough as long as they at least provide a tuning table so you can set the steer back where you had it.

 

[Pacfanweb]

For the sake of argument, axles are something that are almost impossible to inspect without teardown. Wheels at least have some degree of inspectability. Also, the very best set of axles is going to cost you something in the $15.00 range, while a set of wheels that has been professionally lightened is going to be $35-$50. I don't see it as a terribly controversial cut-off point.

I get what you're saying, but I'm traveling to New York and paying Texa$ for a hotel.....I don't think $50 for a set of wheels would be much of a burden for anyone else who is doing so.

Not like this is just a local Pack race at my neighborhood church.

 

[ccw13175]

That's fair enough as long as they at least provide a tuning table so you can set the steer back where you had it.

I don't write the rules for the nsc. But I do see your.point. knowing the guys that run the nsc. I'm pretty sure having you pull wheels would be a absolute last resort. My guess is they would ask you to pull a rear one first.

 

[B_Regal Racing]

We have a car for the race (finished tuning it with he kid late last night). Its not league caliber (my kid had his hands on it), but we are seriously considering it. Its more of a local race to me. I'm not giving it any more weight than say "districts."

Mid-America is the race I truly prepare for (that's Nationals) and if I had to pull a wheel prior to racing, I would stay home. After the race, I could care less.

 

[B_Regal Racing]

NEWS FLASH: Registration closed a week ago (6/18). Its not mid-America where you can register the day before. Since I did not register, I guess that answers the question as to whether or not I will go. I certainly will not go just as a spectator.

Too bad...

 

[Vitamin K]

NEWS FLASH: Registration closed a week ago (6/18). Its not mid-America where you can register the day before. Since I did not register, I guess that answers the question as to whether or not I will go. I certainly will not go just as a spectator.

Too bad...

Online registration was extended until yesterday at 6:00PM, according to an email that I got. Still too late for today, unfortunately.

 

[TWarwick07]

Leaving tomorrow morning for NY. Anyone else going?

I've never been and the kids haven't either, so figured it was a good way to get a taste of the Big Apple if nothing else.

Hoping to be competitive though.

Check out Foley's on 33rd street for a bite to eat. Also burger heaven off of 5th ave acrosss from saks is awesome.

 

[ScoutRacer]

We will be there. Leaving in the morning.

 

[Pacfanweb]

I need to get to bed. We are leaving about 10 am tomorrow.

Thanks to John for getting us some parts here in a hurry...hopefully they give us that little extra bit that helps.

Not looking forward to check in at 8am Saturday. They told me they intend to start the race shortly after 9am.
Don't know how many cars they're inspecting, but I think they'll either have to have a bunch of people doing the inspecting, or really doing them fast.

BTW, here's the explanation of the wheels rule I got:

Wheel modifications apply to both Stock and Pro Stock Classes. In the case of the term "lightened wheels", I'll agree it is an ambiguous in contrast to reducing wheel diameter, coning hubs, or trueing treads. Of course, a wheel that has had any material taken off will be lighter than out of the box. The term in the diagram refers to more than just adjusting for a true and perpendicular wheel. It is mean to restrict large amounts of material to be removed where the wheel is substantially lighter that an out of the box wheel.

So for Stock and Pro Stock, you can lightly sand the outer tread, cone the hub, true the tread, or lathe the outer tread reducing the diameter to no less than 1.170 inches. That's about 0.015 inches less than a standard out of the box wheel. No inner lathing or removal of material from the inside of the wheel or tread is allowed.

 

[ScoutRacer]

The email that I received back stated 250+ cars.