How badly do you want the new prep process?

About two years ago I became obsessed with learning how to prep wheels for oil. I spent 12 months trying everything you could imagine. I spent somewhere north of 800.00 on waxes and sprays. No matter what I did or tried I could not make any time gains. I was one race away from throwing in the towel out of defeat and frustration. I mean I'm following the steps everything is done proper, why can't I improve. I received a motiviational email from Kinser that got me refocused. A month later I learned a lesson from John after he put a set of wheels that he prepped on my SS at the time and it ran the same as my prep. That was the light bulb moment! My prep isn't bad it is something with alignment. Then after the team races last year I learned the value of alignment from Spirit. He sees things that I just never payed attention too. You would be amazed at what you can teach yourself if you just step back and look at your car. So this is my advise to anyone racing at the moment!

Your prep is only as good as your alignment!

Don't get me wrong, a good prep well mask bad alignment, but it won't run consistant. I would have these ligtning in a bottle runs and I would get soooo excited. I could never harness it consistantly because my alignment sucked. This season I have only focused on alignment, any speed gains I have made have come from alignment.

I've been involved in league racing since 2009. It has taking me almost 4 years to feel confident as a builder. And I can say I havn't learned everything by myself, I've had some pointers along the way. League racing is what you make of it. There are so many pieces of the puzzle on this forum that I wish I had when I first started out. Try earning your Sub 3.0 badge on a 6 six run average with graphite before DD4H prep methods and tungsten cubes were available. Those were good times!

So listen to guys like SoGone when they preach the value of alignment. Everything you need to know to build a Sub 2.97 car is right here on the forum!
 
Great posts Chips and Reso! For those of us that didn't go through the growing pains of years past, we really do have all the tools, products, and instructions/advice at our fingertips to build competitive cars.
 
Wow, those ARE great post Mr Chips and Reso. As I am struggling through my first builds, these were good reminders that I'm trying to have fun with this while I learn. While I was certain there was not any secret sauce headed my way, I also knew I had lots of work to do before it would do me any good.

Heck, I'm still trying to get the carpet lent and cereal out of my bores from taking that picture.
mad
rofl
mad
rofl
 
At this point, to be honest, mine and my son's most favorite part when it comes to building these cars is creating the actual design, shaping, and painting of the cars!!!! I have more fun and think harder about how to do a great paint job than other areas, at the present time!

I am starting to think about R&D as it applies to the wheels and axels and other areas, but honestly, without a best track and timer to test cars routinely whenever I want, its pretty non-efficient and silly for me to think about doing any significant R&D at this time, or worry about trying to find speed or what others are doing.

I joined here to learn ways for my son and I to build a faster car and we are well on our way to doing that....and hopefully having a lot of fun along the way....our hopes are simplistic...focus on winning our pack and then district, and being able to run and have fun racing our cars more than just once a year at our pack (seems such a waste to take all that time to build a car, race it once in a year, and mothball it for the rest of its lifespan)...

Once cub scouts are done....then if we/or I continue this hobby then at that point the reasons might be different and include a focus on performance and rankings at NPWDRL and R&D testing on our own track and timer...but as long as Im having fun then its all good win or lose.

W
 
There's some good posts here, but some of you are well practiced in the art of Oxymora. Don't hate the player hate the game! /images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif
Click to expand...

Don't Hate the Game.... Get better than the Player.....
beatup
That should be our goal here.... Some

are better then others and some are getting better as the learn ... One day I hope to be in this game as

a serious contender in due time .....

V
 
I really enjoy racing my own times each month...this is one way to get faster each month. I have a few new cars this month, and all I'm gonna say is there faster.....how much?? We'll see next Sat.:-) :-) :-) but Ive been doing alot of work and testing this month..making changes etc.....thing is just cause there fast at the house don't mean they will be fast at John's. I look forward to next sat..
 
What many may not realize is that years ago there was not help. No DVD. No suggested products to use. It took me abou lt a year before I even knew about polishing a wheel bore. Anyone can build a sub 3 car. It used to be a difficult task to get there. Granted the wheels were heavier and the lube was graphite. Finding new speed now is getting more and more difficult. I have seen guys who have started in the past year who have smoked me on the track. The info is widely discussed. I have helpled many who now have beat me and I am still here. Can I do better? I hope so. The new finding is genuine. I am not one of the posers who make claims and never show up. Will I win this month? Who knows. What I do know is I am reaching new personal bests which are exciting to me. So if a slow poke like me can gain speed, that tells me there is still some more to be had. I will continue to play and have fun. And I will continue to call out those who act like punks.
 
I'm the new (old - turned 70 today) kid on the block, so havn't earned the right to pump for info yet, but i've got the patience and dedication and the desire,---now to start experimenting with every anti friction formula on the planet. Those March numbers are sureal! I can keep a secret,I've just never had any to keep! Copperhead
 
Copperhead, welcome to the forum, and I hope future NPWDRL events. Most special welcome to the over 70 club, which as far I know consists of you, me (OPA) and CAMCAR (who if he isn't 70, is close enough to count). PM me if you need any help with anything. I not the best of the racers out there (far from it), but I am normally in the top 10 or 15

PS, if any others are out there who belong to the over 70 group, let us know.
 
surrender
I won't be 70 for another 24 years ...
wah
Oh well...
AddEmoticons08013
I might be able to get into the 50 club soon before long I will get into the other club....
blah


V
 
Welcome aboard Copperhead to The finest pinewood derby forum on the planet! This pinewood derby racing thing will definitely keep the brain working 24/7, I know it does me. I haven't quite reached the ranks for your years but I'm getting there fast enough. Enjoy your time here on the forums, you'll find plenty of helpful people here to get you started.
 
Welcome to the forum!!! Glad you found us
smile
take off your hat and stay a while!
 
Welcome copperhead and happy 70th birthday! You're gonna have a blast league racing. It has been fun competing against you at the scoutorama the past four years but this is much more fun and you will do well. Btw there is a product i want to try that might be promising, ill give you a call.
 
Welcome Copperhead, glad to have have you on the forum. I turn 67 on Oct and this pine wood derby racing is a great way to pass the time. It also is a great way to spend time with my grandsons. The NPWDRL is super and the folks are great at helping folks out. Just ask the questions and enjoying the racing and chatter. There isn't a better place to learn the in and outs of pine wood derby racing and have fun at the same time.
 
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