Hello from Texas.

[NastyNoah]

Hey guys, me and my 8 year old recently won 1st place this year in our second year of Cub Scout Pinewood Derby racing. I won the adult races taking the track record of 3.04 seconds on a 42ft aluminum track and he won the cub portion with a 3.08. Both of our cars were built the same with one raised front wheel, and weighing in at 4.95. I know this next year competition will be even tougher so I am turning to the internet and you guys to learn how we can do even better.
One of the things I have noticed you guys doing that I was unfamiliar with is notching one side on the front of the car. Could someone explain the science or reason/benefits of this and how to do it properly?

 

[Crash Enburn]

The front wheel that is touching (the Dominant Front Wheel, or DFW) gets inset by ~1/16". This, along with the bend in the DFW axle, works to put the wheel up against the rail while still keeping the car centered (ie. keeps the rear wheels off the rail).

GX's post on this with a great graphic came up just a couple days ago:

I seen this graphic from another racer and I asked if I could share it, he (Mid-Atlantic) without hesitation said, be my guest. It may answer questions and cause a few more to be brought to surface. Does it unlock any secrets, likely not, but it will give you a visual of why the DFW body is notched.

 

[True North Racing]

Hey guys, me and my 8 year old recently won 1st place this year in our second year of Cub Scout Pinewood Derby racing. I won the adult races taking the track record of 3.04 seconds on a 42ft aluminum track and he won the cub portion with a 3.08. Both of our cars were built the same with one raised front wheel, and weighing in at 4.95. I know this next year competition will be even tougher so I am turning to the internet and you guys to learn how we can do even better.
One of the things I have noticed you guys doing that I was unfamiliar with is notching one side on the front of the car. Could someone explain the science or reason/benefits of this and how to do it properly?

It is good to see another Texan on the boards. Where are you located? I am in Plano which is just north of Dallas.

 

[NastyNoah]

GX's post on this with a great graphic came up just a couple days ago:

Ok I saw this graphic but didn't understand until now. Thanks! Do you have to bend the axle or can it just be canted. Is there a thread on here I can refer to, to learn more about this in detail?

 

[NastyNoah]

It is good to see another Texan on the boards. Where are you located? I am in Plano which is just north of Dallas.

I'm just South of you here in Arlington/ Grand Prairie.

 

[Crash Enburn]

Definitely bent. The idea being that if you rotate a bent axle in the axle hole, you can adjust steering and make your car steer into the rail (rail running). To do this best, cut a slot into the nail head to let you use a screwdriver to adjust the turn.

Recent post on this very matter: How much to bend the DFW axle?

I believe that if you drill your DFW with a positive cant (side view: \-[ ), you can put less bend in your DFW axle, and it will make it easier to adjust the steering. I've not done this yet to verify... YMMV.

I recommend using this URL to browse this site for any updates: http://pinewoodderbyonline.com/find-new/posts?recent=1 (You'll need to enter the address afresh each time. I'm not certain of the mechanics of it, but simple refreshes don't pick up new threads)

I was a pseudo-Texan for 11 years. I lived in El Paso.

 

[Troy Taylor]

Welcome! Lots of good info here!