Faster start question.

[Bubblegum]

We had our pack race today and we placed second and fifth overall for scouts and first, second, third, and fourth for outlaw.

The car that won for scouts we raced head to head four times with winning once and coming in second by about an inch the other three each.

The place the car beat us was at the start and would have a third of a body length in the incline and then we would catch it on the flat section. If we had another section of track we would have won.

Any suggestions on what to address/look at for a better start?

Thanks.

 

[Charles Studer]

Better wheel bore and axle prep. Possibly move your weight back a touch, and lighten your steer an 1/8".....but that is just generic from the hip. Any rear, center top and side pics may help

 

[Bubblegum]

Thanks for posting. I didnt take pics of my build unfortunately. I feel that my prep is pretty good based upon looking through my microscope and the feel and sound after wheel bore prep. That can always be improved though.

One point that you mentioned that I worried about going in was I left additional wood at my rear axles because I did not know this track and was concerned that a bad track could damage my car. We did go off the stop once so maybe I was justified.

Much to ponder.

 

[B_Regal Racing]

I would guess the car you are racing has lighter wheels. With lighter wheels, they will spin up faster. You probably catch up for few reasons: better prep, less steer, and weight placement. A lot of steer in the flat is excess friction. Better prep and weight placement need no explanation. What wheels are you using?

 

[Bubblegum]

Dynasty Basx from John. I used his wheel bore prep for them as well.

Somewhere in the rules I thought I read wheel weight of 2.4 g but I would have to double check.

If I was allowed different wheels would the rage make a difference?

Just thinking outloud.

 

[Thinkin'Bout Racin]

I would guess the car you are racing has lighter wheels. With lighter wheels, they will spin up faster. You probably catch up for few reasons: better prep, less steer, and weight placement. A lot of steer in the flat is excess friction. Better prep and weight placement need no explanation. What wheels are you using?

I agree with this. Most likely they had a lighter wheel. One other thing I can think of would be how the cars are staged. Are you staging your own car?

 

[Charles Studer]

If there is no stipulations cheetahs...115s that would smoke the hole shot

 

[Charles Studer]

Or a good set of MAs

 

[Charles Studer]

Yes rage will make a difference

 

[Charles Studer]

Smaller diameter and lighter

 

[Charles Studer]

I agree with this. Most likely they had a lighter wheel. One other thing I can think of would be how the cars are staged. Are you staging your own car?

Proper body design should over come any staging issues accidentally or other wise

 

[Bubblegum]

No we do not stage our own cars. We have only done that twice at districts and placed first and second the second time. I taught my sons how to do it after the first year when my son did not do it correctly and his car was crooked. It hit the rail pretty hard and on the next heat the car was slow because the dfw now rubbed against the body. He went from 3rd to 42nd place in about 6 seconds of racing

Related to it, today on our first heat the car was crooked and luckily I noticed. My son ran up to tell the guy and fixed it in time.

As far as which wheels are allowed I will have to find the current rules and read.

 

[Thinkin'Bout Racin]

Is everyone running oil? I have heard, but have no first hand experience that a graphite car will start faster. However, my money is still on that they were running a lighter wheel.

 

[B_Regal Racing]

Looks like you now have your answer regarding the slow starts.

If weight cannot be removed from the inside of the wheel (I believe the fluting is not removed): $
https://www.derbydad4hire.com/The-Dynasty-Rage-set-of-4-wheels-W-R.htm

If weight can be removed from the inside of the wheel and you want to get agreessive (I believe the fluting is not removed): $$
https://www.derbydad4hire.com/The-Dynasty-Nitro-v2-set-of-4-wheels-W-N.htm

If weight can be removed from the inside of the wheel and you want to go all out (fluting is removed): $$$
https://www.derbydad4hire.com/The-MID-AMERICA-DERBY-set-of-4-wheels-W-NMA.htm

 

[Bubblegum]

Regal thank you for the list.

I found the council rules but not district ones. Last year they were different which I think is idiotic.

For wheels it states:
The wheels may be trimmed but not rounded, pointed, or thinned. Tread must remain original width. Wheels shall not be lightened by removal of excess plastic.

So if I want to follow the rules it looks like Rage wheels qualify but others do not unless I misunderstand.

Being a dork I found race heat results and we lost on average by 0.0026 sec. I know that is huge for you guys but for scouts running graphite it really is what the heck can I possibly do.

I know! I will build more cars and continue using the dinning and kitchen tables! Glad my wife understands.