Fast time
- Thread starter Jon
- Start date
It's really tough to compare times and speeds between tracks. Differences in type of start switch, switch adjustment, ramp style, location of timer holes, etc. make way too many variables. Same thing applies to MPH. The computer calculates that based on the track length that the user inputs. Some organizers input the overall length of the track, some input the actual length from the start pin to the timer and that will make a difference on the displayed MPH. Pretty much, you have to go by how you finish in the group. If you didn't win, you weren't fast enough.
Case in point: I helped a coworker's daughter with her car for her powderpuff derby. On my 42' Besttrack, her car was only .010 slower than my son's district winner. Ran 3.04's here. At her race, also on a 42' Bestrack, she was laying down 2.88's. Same track, same length, difference was mainly in the start switch type.
I saw in your other post that you were struggling to find that last .010. If you're not running larger axles and they are allowed by your rules, then that might get you there. Lots of little things add up also. Misaligned axles can cost you .005-.006 if you're only pretty close but not dead on. If you're running something thicker than a 1/4" plank or if the nose isn't tapered, that too will cost you a little time.
It is possible to compare two tracks if you were able to run the same car, with no changes, on both tracks. Many of us do that so we can compare the times on our home track to the pack's or league's venue. Once you know the ratio, then you can usually predict what a new car will run on the other track. Most of the time. Unless something on the track gets changed!
Case in point: I helped a coworker's daughter with her car for her powderpuff derby. On my 42' Besttrack, her car was only .010 slower than my son's district winner. Ran 3.04's here. At her race, also on a 42' Bestrack, she was laying down 2.88's. Same track, same length, difference was mainly in the start switch type.
I saw in your other post that you were struggling to find that last .010. If you're not running larger axles and they are allowed by your rules, then that might get you there. Lots of little things add up also. Misaligned axles can cost you .005-.006 if you're only pretty close but not dead on. If you're running something thicker than a 1/4" plank or if the nose isn't tapered, that too will cost you a little time.
It is possible to compare two tracks if you were able to run the same car, with no changes, on both tracks. Many of us do that so we can compare the times on our home track to the pack's or league's venue. Once you know the ratio, then you can usually predict what a new car will run on the other track. Most of the time. Unless something on the track gets changed!
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