renegade said:All I know Is I am doing something wrong because my cars were dog slow this month.![]()
You should have asked me, I'd have shared that with you!!! /images/boards/smilies/smile.gif
renegade said:All I know Is I am doing something wrong because my cars were dog slow this month.![]()
John Thawley said:Now... not to bicker or have this conversation deteriorate into an argument, DON'T you think the person is aware, "they must of done something wrong?" Isn't that rather obvious?
John
Owens Racing said:I wouldn't drive myself crazy shooting for 27.1 degrees. If you look at the accuracy of those digital protractors, you'll see there's room for a lot variance right there.
DerbyDad4Hire said:John: NO ONE has responded saying "we have the new chipset." CCL did today.
All NPWDRL tracks will have the new chipset.
Regarding oil and your video... never do you say, "if you are having problems, double check..... xxx." No where do describe what the blue stuff does or what it should look like when properly applied and/or dry." Obviously, if there are problems, others have had them and there must be some constant issues to watch out for and/or share. It's an expensive and frustrating process... and one that is not easily reversed or tried again.
If the oil is not working then the wheel or axle is either still dirty or has lint/hair in it or you caked the blue can spray. The jigaloo is very easy to apply but is dangerous for plastic so I do not push it because I know I will have to replace ruined wheels.
So, whether you agree or disagree... as a consumer, your DVD and products FAILED. If you're content to tell the customer "you did something wrong, watch it again," that's your prerogative. But I would think you'd rather have happy and repeat customers. I realize you race too.... but I would hope having MORE happy customers using your products SUCCESSFULLY would be more important. I think a suggested "trouble-shooting" bullet list wouldn't be an unreasonable request... given the cost of the DVD, two step axle polish and a dram of oil. /images/boards/smilies/smile.gif I only ask that consider things from the viewpoint of a consumer.
If it failed then it is USER ERROR. My phone line is open and I always support my product. I consider my customers first at EVERY level. That is why you have a DVD and oil to use. I did not have to share any of it. I am finding that with a large customer base it is going to be impossible to keep every single customer happy. I run a performance custom shop. The parts take time and there are a lot of customers. I run the EXACT same parts you do and use the same process you do and it works for me. The problem here is you have are not sure if it is working for you or not. You might be faster than everyone here.
I didn't make this post to argue or put anyone down. You folks all seem very nice and appear to be having a good time. BUT... let's be honest, there are continuous (let's call them breakdowns) breakdowns in the growth and progress among leagues and league racing.
We don't APPEAR to be having a good time, we ARE having a good time. The breakdowns are caused by this exact type of posting and are generally done on purpose to stir up drama or controversy. We have not had any issues here. We are not a league. This is a racing circuit built for and around the racers. I am not making accusations but this seems like yet just another attempt to stir up a fight that is commonplace from our competition.
FYI, this is the only site I read and trust. I used to be at P-D-D-R when everyone was there. I do business with Jewkes and I do business with DerbyDad. I don't know why the other board went away... nor do I want to pry. Though this constant turmoil and lack of stability does leave me hesitant to invest in the hobby... fortunately, with my son having another year of scouts, I can justify all of the equipment and the track. He's having fun... so am I. BUT... that's only a 3 month window annually.
So you aren't a member of other boards? There is absolutely NO turmoil here and the fact that 120 cars is a bad month means that this is the most stable pinewood derby has ever been.
My background is racing.... I'm at a racetrack at least 16 times a year. My clients are all racers and race teams and manufacturers. (Audi, Mazda, Cadillac etc.) Going fast and what it takes to go fast aren't foreign concepts to me. And, years ago, I organized RC car racing at the National and World Championship level (26 countries... races as large as 650 entries). I'm fairly well plugged into the racer mentality... from the track to marketing, promoting and manufacturing level.
Taking from your background then I would think you would be shocked at just how much info is given to you for free here.
So... just to be clear, my inquiries are continuously an effort to find relevance and REASONABLE benchmarks. I know tracks differ.... I'm not an idiot. I can see how easy it is to make my own results vary on the same track. I see the times shift throughout the day and night.
But one response here said.... "we were at so and so, the track was level and everything... and it was DOG SLOW." Sorry... my watch doesn't have increments labeled DOG SLOW. Was it 5 seconds slower than NPWDRL's track? 1 second? .050? .010? Someone must have a better handle on the variable.... within reason. If you're saying that two identical (on paper) tracks built level, same slope, same timer chip can be .050 difference - then fine. I'll accept that. However, it seems like a huge difference.
All I'm asking and suggesting is this: Think about your answers to people. "Dog slow" means nothing. "You must have done something wrong," is an insult... I mean, thank you captain obvious.
How can anyone help you if they no reference point? You are putting down help and responses but not participating. If I see your car then I can help you. I would say after the comments that I would be scared to try and help you for fear it would not be satisfactory.
You guys are racing and others respect what you've accomplished.... when someone asks a question involving .010 of a second, it's typically in search of answer to "what should I be looking for?" If my cars running graphite are .020 faster than oil... there's something happening somewhere. I can't imagine one of you have not experienced a problem that turned out to be a "DUH!" moment.
You want more guys racing.... no one is asking "how do I get faster than you?" But it is fair to ask "how to do I get these expensive, time consuming purchases to work 'as advertised?'" /images/boards/smilies/smile.gif
WOW. You sure you aren't on the other boards???
I don't think I'm being unfair.
Neither do I.
DerbyDad4Hire said:Owens Racing said:I wouldn't drive myself crazy shooting for 27.1 degrees. If you look at the accuracy of those digital protractors, you'll see there's room for a lot variance right there.
You got that right!!! That is possibly the biggest issue in the differences in times. Maybe if we all used the same gauge.
Kinser Racing said:John,
From someone who has sat in your shoes I can say "Nothing will do any good for you until you race." It took me two months to send in a car. After 5 months I felt like you do. You're going to have to get over it and race. It took me almost 2 years before I got to be really good.
As far as doing something wrong: If you're not getting results you're doing something wrong. Those who say it, know it, because we have done it wrong.
You say your not a quitter and I don't believe you are. But, if you've been around for almost a year now and haven't raced, you've quit before you even started.
You and others have been given more info on this board than any other board for pinewood derby. Secretes have been shared, but you're not going to get it all, you'll have to work for some of it.
I have invested over $2k in products (not tools) and countless hours to get fast. If you've followed the board you've seen my post with most of the products I've purchased and continue to purchase. Believe me when I say "It's easier being mid pack than it ever is being at the top".
I respect that people want to come into a level playing field, it may not seem like it, but it's as level as can be here. I'd be happy to share every secret I have, 50 guys at $150 each would be my minimum. I can promise you'll be fast afterward, but don't blame me if you feel cheated.
The bottom line is come and race and get faster through experience. I hope to race you soon. /images/boards/smilies/thumb.gif
DNA RACING said:the dog slow was .020 ave slower than the Utah track just for the Street stock class, it was closer in the other classes. the track angle was set at 27.1 and the whole track was leveled side to side and front to back. and you could take the same track from one side of the nation to the other and set it up exactly the same and have different times each time.