2017 World Championship Pinewood Derby, Times Square, New York City

[FDM]

We have the axle peep holes also. We might get rain that morning so they may hold the race at the Marriott Hotel

We're using the metal tape on the bottom and I poked open the peep holes and was going to run that way and also thought to add a few pieces to cover after the check them.

You should cover it up before the check in, so you know your weight, and just quickly remove/put it back if they ask for it. Also if they weight the car first, you are not allowed to add anything to the car later.

Personally I find that rule weird, and the first time I see that as a rule. It's normally given as advice if you want to glue your axles in. I feel drilling those holes can compromise car strength and maybe even make the axle less secure. I wish they pay more attention to wheels which fall outside the specs (too light ect. and if the car runs on graphite and not oil.

 

[optimus]

Good luck to all that go on Saturday!

 

[CivilWarTalk]

Here is a copy of an email I got an hour ago on this race:

Due to impending inclement weather, we are moving the World Championship Pinewood Derby indoors to our rain location: the Marriott Marquis, located right across the street from our original location.

We will be running the event in the West Side Ballroom on the 5th Floor. There are entrances to the Marriott Marquis on both W 45th and W 46th Streets, just off of Broadway (1535 Broadway). The link to the Marriott Marquis is below.

Our timeline still remains the same. Our race structure still remains the same. All that has changed is the location. Please refer to the Attendee Guide on www.bsa-gnyc.org/championshippinewood for all information.

Please be sure to pass this information along to others that you know are attending to help spread the word.

See you at the Marriott Marquis!!!

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/nycmq-new-york-marriott-marquis/

 

[Rebel Racer]

My crew and I are also off to the races! Thanks to John and the pros on this forum this has been our best season yet! Good luck to all, see you at the crossroads

 

[Pacfanweb]

I'm using the "Pro Stock Division" rules and their wheel spec diagram...hopefully this trumps anything else. I'd change a few lines.

https://www.bsa-gnyc.org/files/1576/Official-Rules

The "Stock Car Division" rules aren't as clean, with the 4-on-the-floor stuff. I could see some interpretation issues here during check-in.

That's exactly why we ran Pro Stock last year. Those rules pretty much spell things out. I saw some cars in Stock that could have been in Pro Stock, IMO.
It's a fun time. I'm apparently still on the mailing list, and I see they didn't want to risk the weather so it's in the Marriott Marquis this year. A/C will be nice, the sun was a bit warm last year.

 

[loudonracer]

Race day!

 

[Pacfanweb]

So how did the weather turn out? Did they make a good call?
Nice to be inside, but in Times Square is much cooler, despite the heat. Hate that for everyone.

 

[loudonracer]

It was raining buckets. Good call.

 

[FDM]

Yes bummer to be inside but at least dry and cool.
If we make it again we will def. sleep in more and drive up late. 4:45 up is way to early esp with a long check in line.

 

[My05suzuki]

Worst run event I have ever attended..definitely will not be attending again...will go to Omaha instead.

 

[ScoutRacer]

Worst run event I have ever attended..definitely will not be attending again...will go to Omaha instead.

What were the issues?

 

[My05suzuki]

Not really organized, rules were changed compared to all other races leading up to it. Barely see the cars run, nothing for kids to do while waiting.

 

[Pacfanweb]

Not really organized, rules were changed compared to all other races leading up to it. Barely see the cars run, nothing for kids to do while waiting.

Were the rules different than what is listed on their site?

And yeah, I imagine it IS harder to see the races in the backup venue. Unfortunate, but it wasn't an issue in Times Square, where they had bleachers set up. They could use some extra things to do. They had an alternate track kids could go race spare cars on last year, but I guess they probably don't have that indoors.

 

[loudonracer]

We had a great morning of racing.

The check-in was extremely thorough. Took a bit longer than scheduled, but I think it was due to the high number of violations found (and the resulting reinspections). I saw a guy get flagged for lightened wheels. It was handled well. From my view, the rules enforced were 100% consistent with the published rule book. No surprises.

The entertainment/activities during the event were indeed lacking. (Even though the one guy acting as MC/entertainer put forth an incredible effort.)

 

[My05suzuki]

John you are so right on the wheel issues.. Used the same car for pack all the way up to Nationals. Than get to the World's Championship and the wheels failed. Didn't have a set, had to find some stock wheels. Than the car was too heavy. Had to tear up a car, just so my tiger could watch his car. If it wasn't for the 7hr drive, I would of never of done it.

The wheel rules can cause confusion. Says they are legal one way then later changes under each classification. 4 wheel touching rule will ALWAYS be an issue. Too much room for tech in shenanigans.

 

[Pacfanweb]

What "wheel issue" did you have?

 

[FDM]

I agree with the wheel issue.
A lot of folks got their wheels rejected. It is true that some folks showed up with wheels that were lightened quite a bit, however they also rejected wheels which had the inside edge of the wheel trued which resulted in a straight edge. Per rules this should have been allowed for the pro stock as long as enough tread remained.

This year wheel covers were not allowed, however there was at least one car with wheel well weights, I found this interesting because I thought those would have been considered a wheel well cover, although they leave a small inspection hole.

 

[My05suzuki]

Minimum wheel weight on two wheels were just under the weight requirement. But the other two were good to go. And my wheel edge wasn't good enough.

What "wheel issue" did you have?

 

[FDM]

Minimum wheel weight on two wheels were just under the weight requirement. But the other two were good to go. And my wheel edge wasn't good enough.

I thought being just under the weight would fall in margin of error
since they have to consider how accurate the scales people have are. But how did find out you were just under the weight? They actually weight your wheels? I heard more people had issues with their wheel edge, something not mentioned at all in the rules.

 

[My05suzuki]

They wanted to see the inside of a wheel cause they thought the inside was missing lettering. Then said that wheel was to light.

I thought being just under the weight would fall in margin of error
since they have to consider how accurate the scales people have are. But how did find out you were just under the weight? They actually weight your wheels? I heard more people had issues with their wheel edge, something not mentioned at all in the rules.