Choosing a Pinewood Derby track for rental business

[Matthew900]

Hi, there is a shortage of pinewood derby tracks in my area for rental so my teenager and I are considering starting a business renting a track. I’ve run a few derby’s for cub scout packs my kids where in so I have experience with the microwizard freedom series track and the derby magic track.

I like the hotwheel option with the derby magic track but I felt the plastic track quickly began to wear in the joining areas after multiple uses so I am leaning toward an aluminum track.

Right now I think I need to pick either the freedom track or the besttrack. I was wondering if anyone has experience with multiple assembly and tear downs with the freedom track and the besttrack? My two questions are durability of the mating services after multiple uses of 20 or more times and setup/breakdown time for each once you have it down pat.

I had issues with the screws on the freedom series stripping over time but on the flip side I am concerned that the pins on the besttrack will loosen up over time and cause misalignment. It looks like the besttrack may set up faster than the freedom track but I wanted to get some input from people who have used both.


Thanks!!

Matt

 

[Crash Enburn]

My impression would be that the Microwizard track would be better for hauling around and setting up as it stores as a stack of flat sections. The Best Track pretty much requires two cases, one for the flat track sections, and then another for the transition curve.

I've put up and taken down my church's Best Track 10 or more times now. I can't say that I've noticed any loosening of the pins.

With either track, assemble and disassemble with care, and you should be golden.

 

[Matthew900]

I was also worried about the best track being bulkier but I was worried about the set up time with the freedom track, there is a lot of screws. How fast is it to set up the best track?

 

[Crash Enburn]

Once it's built, about a half-hour to an hour. Just lay out the sections, clip them together, flip over and attach to the transition and start ramp, and pretty much done. Spend a little time dialing in the slope and getting the timing system connected.

I find most of the time is spent getting the computer set up and working with the sensors — the timing system we're using was bodged from a different track, and so is a little more sensitive to setup than it should be.

 

[HurriCrane Racing]

I have both tracks. The Freedom track sets up easier because of the mounting plates. No clamps needed here. You can can leave them attached to one end of the track sections. Very easy to line up the track joints for a smooth running surface. I would highly recommend the anodized finish. Very durable and well worth the money. The Freedom track can be stored in a much smaller space because the curved section will return to flat when you remove the weights that are used to give the track a curved transition.

The Best track is easy to assemble after the initial set up. But it is a little more difficult to keep the track joints smooth and level with multiple assemblies. You also need to be sure to sand the entire track down very well before your first race. The fresh aluminum will eat wheels if you do not.

Either track will work for your business.

Good luck!

 

[Jimmy & his 2 Kids]

You also need to be sure to sand the entire track down very well before your first race. The fresh aluminum will eat wheels if you do not.

Either track will work for your business.

Good luck!

So our church bought our Best Track last year and we have one race on it so far and I know they didn’t sand it. I’ll check it this year as we are putting it up in a few weeks. Is that to say it’s a rough surface? If so what grit should we use?

 

[B_Regal Racing]

 

[Jimmy & his 2 Kids]

Wow, yeah I know they didn’t do that. I will check the joints once we get it set up. Thanks a ton BR. Shoulda known Bulldog would have a cool vid about it. Love his vids!

 

[slipstream]

Hi, there is a shortage of pinewood derby tracks in my area for rental so my teenager and I are considering starting a business renting a track. I’ve run a few derby’s for cub scout packs my kids where in so I have experience with the microwizard freedom series track and the derby magic track.

I like the hotwheel option with the derby magic track but I felt the plastic track quickly began to wear in the joining areas after multiple uses so I am leaning toward an aluminum track.

Right now I think I need to pick either the freedom track or the besttrack. I was wondering if anyone has experience with multiple assembly and tear downs with the freedom track and the besttrack? My two questions are durability of the mating services after multiple uses of 20 or more times and setup/breakdown time for each once you have it down pat.

I had issues with the screws on the freedom series stripping over time but on the flip side I am concerned that the pins on the besttrack will loosen up over time and cause misalignment. It looks like the besttrack may set up faster than the freedom track but I wanted to get some input from people who have used both.


Thanks!!

Matt

Here in Utah there are 2 a 4 lane best track and a yellow plastic track. They rent for 100$ I just about got 1 but I live in an apartment and don't have space to store it. They do 30-80+ races a year. I would go with the best track and it's timer. I should mention I guy in Idaho has been using the same track for 15 years it's the only track for the entire council. his track is very slow and in bad shap. Cars jumping, a very clear slow and fast lane, and the worst thing is the gray graphite haze up to the 1 flat section. Up keep mentioned above is a must.

 

[HurriCrane Racing]

Here in Utah there are 2 a 4 lane best track and a yellow plastic track. They rent for 100$ I just about got 1 but I live in an apartment and don't have space to store it. They do 30-80+ races a year. I would go with the best track and it's timer. I should mention I guy in Idaho has been using the same track for 15 years it's the only track for the entire council. his track is very slow and in bad shap. Cars jumping, a very clear slow and fast lane, and the worst thing is the gray graphite haze up to the 1 flat section. Up keep mentioned above is a must.

Which is one of the main reasons I like the anodized surface. Very durable and easy clean up.

 

[Pinewood Outlaw]

We have a 4 lane 42 foot Best Track. During initial assembly I used the file to remove burs, especially towards the bottom ends of the joining sections. This helped make great joining of the sections. Also a good sanding with multiple grades of sandpaper 400-2000 and marking the sections to make sure I always put the same ones together. I also have the leveling kit but I mounted them to the track with 1" coupler nuts....this gives me more height under the track to attach 1" C clamps which I find better than the enclosed clips. Once clamped it doesn't come apart.

 

[pinewoodnut]

I do the rental thing here in Dallas using a 13 year old 4 lane 42ft Best Track with an older Microwizard timer. For the last 7 years we have run 20-30 races a year, mostly for Cubs, but also some corporate/team building events.

The track does require storage, but I built a crate for it 12 years ago to get it off the Cubmaster's garage floor. The crate is 2x2x8 and on 4 full swivel casters. There is room for the track with foam pads between each layer, the curve at one end, car stadium, 6 car trays and a folding chair. The lid is on piano hinges and I use plastic chain to keep it from folding all the way back. We use the crate as the base for our car stadium during the race.

If you have the room, I'd say go with Best Track.

 

[Thinkin'Bout Racin]

I do the rental thing here in Dallas using a 13 year old 4 lane 42ft Best Track with an older Microwizard timer. For the last 7 years we have run 20-30 races a year, mostly for Cubs, but also some corporate/team building events.

The track does require storage, but I built a crate for it 12 years ago to get it off the Cubmaster's garage floor. The crate is 2x2x8 and on 4 full swivel casters. There is room for the track with foam pads between each layer, the curve at one end, car stadium, 6 car trays and a folding chair. The lid is on piano hinges and I use plastic chain to keep it from folding all the way back. We use the crate as the base for our car stadium during the race.

If you have the room, I'd say go with Best Track.

If you happen to have a picture or two of your storage crate/box, I would appreciate iseeing it. I need to build a box and I figure there is no need to reinvent the wheel of someone already has a good idea.

Or if you have any suggestions to make it better?

Thanks in advance.