Car Lengths

[Mr Chips Racing]

Hey racers the 2013 season has begun with the NPWDRL. thank you for all that participated. I have a personal gripe I am going to make known. Derby cars are NOT to exceed 7 inches. Many of the cars present today would not have passed that rule if a genuine inspection took place. On this posting I will not mention names. But in the future I have no problem making it public knowledge if you choose to ignore the rules. I build my cars legal and have yet to win. After 4 years of this league, I know all the cheat tricks. Come race, have fun, but QUIT CHEATING. Fix the length issues or your cars will be disqualified and you will still surrender the race fees. I will be happy to shave your 1/16 TO 1/8 OFF THE FRONT of your cars. Just to be fair, this is a warning. Next time your car won't go down the track unless it meets the rules!!

 

[Guest]

chips, if this was true, why was it even allowed to race? I think, if in fact this is true, a better option would to have John discuss this issue behind the scenes with the guilty party. All cars should be put through weight and measurement qualifications before racing. No idea why we ever got away from teching in but with the issues we have had in the past, I think we should get back to it. If racers know they will not be teched, then you will see them start to test the limits. Just my 2 cents /images/boards/smilies/smile.gif

Ian

 

[zeebzob]

To be honest, i never measure my cars. i assume they are 7 inches because i typically use the bsa kit. Were any of my cars too long?

 

[Mr Chips Racing]

Ian
It would amaze you the limits that are pushed. I think we would loose several racers if they were publicly flogged. The amount of cars that were long were many. Not just 1 or 2 that were over. SEVERAL! On accident? Don't know and don't care. If a racer can build a car, they can measure 7 inches.

 

[W racing]

The new BSA blocks are longer than 7".

 

[Mr Chips Racing]

W. Then trim them down. NPWDRL requires 7 inches.

 

[Shade Racing]

You go boy (Mr. Chips)

 

[Chief]

Just measured my new pine block and the dawgone thing is 7 1/8 inches!!! Looks like I need to get out the old pocket knife and start whittling it down just a smijon. Darn tape measure is wrong I tell ya!!! Its wrong!!!

 

[Resophonic Racing]

Darn tape measure is wrong I tell ya!!! Its wrong!!!

That's what she said

 

[Chief]

Thats because hers is Metric...

Darn tape measure is wrong I tell ya!!! Its wrong!!!

That's what she said

 

[Quicktimederby]

Like Chips said and I truly believe that most were just oversights. I would say that 30-40% were over the rule. This post is to bring it to all attention so that next month your cars not benched because of a length oversight. Not hard to measure something I've never done but will now!

 

[OPARENNEN]

How much did the questionable cars exceed the 7 ounce limit.

If it was 1/32, or even 1/16 of in inch (or less) I recommend the car is OK for that race, but for that race only, but with a warning to the builder that a second infraction from that builder will result in a DQ for any of his cars in the next race. In any case a formal warning (i.e. PM) should be sent.

If the car is over 1/32 (or some established length), DQ immediatly for that race, with a warning that all the builders cars will be DQ'ed for a similiar infracrion for future races.

We need a similar ruile for weight. I have two scales, supposedly very accurate, but don't agree by 1/100. I believe that occurs everywhere when you consider there are over 100 builders with their own scales. I solved my problem by purchasing a 5 oz weight. Nevertheless, there needs to be a certain allowance for this. Perhaps 1/100ths. Do the same as above. A one race warning for cars over 5oz, but less than 2/100ths, a DQ if over 2/100ths, and a a similar policy for future races.

 

[W racing]

My cars are always 7". One way to make sure you get the most out of the car is to measure the wheels from the front. This makes sure your rear axle location does not give you an advantage over any other racer and also that you are getting the full potential out of the car.

it would be best to indicate the measuring technique and margin for error (If any). On the weight issue 5.049 will still read 5.0 on a scale so often rules indicate that the weight is to one decimal place and that 5.049 is allowed. A potion of removable putty is advised so that at checkin the weight can be removed if needed.

 

[DerbyDad4Hire]

Chips is right on, the cars were let go this time but I have built a jig that sets on the scale that the car must fit in to race. The new jig is called the "In"forcer. No fit, no race. Simple.

 

[OPARENNEN]

I use monokote on most of my cars, wrapping it around the front and the back end. It occurred to me that that small amount of wrapping might have taken it over the limit. If so, I would like to know if I was one of the cars over the limit? I had to leave my cars with John for the Feb race, since I will be out of town all month. So again, I would like to know if I am one of the culprits.

 

[Quicktimederby]

Their is not going to be any one person singled out, because it was several. Me included. This is just a post to bring it to all's attention so that it can be corrected. One of my wraps is pretty thick and the way I folded it in the rear made the car long. I had no idea I didn't do it for an advantage but it happened. The cars just need to be rectified. If it happened on purpose or accident.

Opa I'm sure John will let you know if there's any issues with your cars, so they can be resolved.

 

[zeebzob]

How much did the questionable cars exceed the 7 ounce limit.

Awwww man! I'm giving up 2 ounces. No wonder i'm slow!

 

[Shade Racing]

I use a tape measure to measure my block & like most tape measures the end moves just a little so I'll measure from the 1in. mark & go to 8in. so the movement of the end is not in the measurement

 

[JAG Racing]

I'm sure everybody already knows this fun fact, but the "movement" on the end of the tape measure is on purpose...

It accounts for the thickness of the end.

When you take an inside measurement and you push on the end it moves in. When you hook the end and pull, it moves the other direction to again account for the thickness.

But... How accurate can it really be especially over time? /images/boards/smilies/smile.gif

I find myself sometimes measuring like you said, just to make sure.