Car block weight

[rjohnston]

1. Thank you to all the 'pros' who post the mind-numbing information.

2. I recently purchased 2 cars from my pack for the adult race to follow our boy's race. One car was in a box with a 1996 date on the back. The second was in a box with a 2012 date on the back.

3. The 1996 clearly has a more dense look to it with the grain lines being much closer together. It's weight: 3.81 oz

4. The 2012 has a weight of 2.72 oz. That's a 1.09 oz difference.

I would think this is a considerable amount of difference.

Can I get some feedback from those in the know as to which model may be better or worse to begin with?

Thank you in advance.

 

[Kinser Racing]

Use the lighter one. It's a piece of pine, don't over analyze it. I'm a firm believer in the KISS principle.

 

[Obsessedderbydad]

Keep It Simple Stupid... Incase you wondered what KISS was. You can take a block of wood and make it weigh 10g whether it starts at 3oz or 2oz.

 

[Ballistic Racing]

Compare the wheels from both kits. The older kit may have the heavier style wheel in it.

 

[rjohnston]

I guess my real question is: (I do realize that A: You can over analyze it and B: I know you can whittle it down to a toothpick if you'd like) "Does the density of the wood have an effect on the car?" After all, there is an ounce more wood in the same size block. How does that (if at all) effect the car's battle with gravity and friction? Thanks again for the comments. However, there is nothing simple about the way you guys go about this. A whole new level is an understatement. Very impressive.

 

[BulldogRacing]

the advantage i find in a light car is freedom of weight placement. You can go too light and have a fragile car.

 

[Kinser Racing]

I don't know if the density has any effect other than weight placement optimization. That's why I'd use the lighter one.