Ideas to slow down my car?

[MarkMello]

Hi all, I'm looking for ideas to slow down my pinewood derby. We only give awards for speed, but I enjoy the art. I included an image of my car this year.

The problem I have, is the end of our track goes a short distance on foam and then the cars slam into a carpeted wall at pretty close to full speed (that's been slammed into for about 25 years). I've had 100% of my cars break once they slam into the wall, and they never look as good after repair. I do want the wheels to spin, but ideally my car would make it down the track and just make it to the finish line. I've made my cars light (well below 5 ounces), I don't file the axles, and don't use graphite but they still smash to pieces. This years car I thought I had it good as I could have it run on 6 wheels but they told me I'd be disqualified if it runs on more than 4 (doesn't make sense to me since one only gets awards for speed and running on 6 wheels is certainly a disadvantage there). Any ideas besides forcing the axles in so much the tires can't spin? It rolls good unfortunately. Thanks

 

[B_Regal Racing]

I know this will sound dumb, but was there any though given to extending the stop section or replacing (or at least, cleaning) the rubber on the stop section?

 

[Jupiter 2.9]

Lint roller the stop section & 220 or 180 sandpaper on the bottom.
That thing looks awesome.
Somebody out there has big rig races ?

 

[ljo]

Try really tight wheel gaps, with no lubrication?
But yes, a better stop section would be preferable.

 

[Craigs Cruzer]

Another option could be adding weights on the undercarriage so that the car drags slightly.This would only work if they are easy on the rules with ground clearance. Cars that don’t reach the finish tend to be ones that drag in this way.

 

[MarkMello]

Thank you all. I have asked them to do something about the end of the track, it doesn't look like much can be done because it's an aluminum that has a slight curve up and ends with a wall at the end. Because of the curve extending would be difficult, and being aluminum modifications difficult. I'm also the only one that has a real problem everyone else races a wedge which can handle smashing into the end pretty well (except some wheels tend to go flying every year). I warned any new scouts getting a kit to beef up the front because the cars slam into a wall which I think upset the higher ups.

These were all good ideas. I'm going to see about using a lint roller on the pads at the end, also maybe I should put some sand paper on the bottom of my car (near the back) so it grabs the foam/rubber better before slamming into the wall (but knowing them they probably would consider that me damaging the track and won't allow it). I love the idea of the weights! I'm going to see if I can do that, as I can remove them following. Thanks again!

 

[Jimmy & his 2 Kids]

Never thought I’d see this sort of discussion. Still kind of in disbelief. It’s sad they will use that kind of set up! Literally risking damage to all cars that run on the track??? Did I read that right?

I known once I found this site and our Awana Grand Prix cars got real fast their single stop section on the track wasn’t enough to slow us down. 42’ Best Track with only one stop section. After my daughter’s first run and car launching off the end breaking a fender, they put bean bags on the end and my kids and myself when sitting in the racer chairs at the end of the track would just be ready to stop it. They would go into the bean bags pretty harmlessly though on a good run it was still scary. But they now stop without damage.
Still though... this seems like a Pinewood nightmare! Lol
Sorry you have to go through that. Looking at your car I can see how grabbing it at the end doesn’t look like a smart option. At least not without protective gauntlets! Lol
That beast is awesome! How about just raise 2 wheels so they don’t touch?
Jimmy

 

[OneSpartan]

I replaced the rubber on my pack's Best Track stop section and it worked well to slow cars down. Prior to replacing, they would use pillows at the end of the track with mixed success. McMaster-Carr product 93625K148 Wear Resistant Natural Gum Foam Strip. Fifty feet of it was $27 shipped. I believe it is the exact same product that Best Track uses as someone had posted here previously.

 

[Bubblegum]

Why not just grab it after it passes the finish line?

FYI the people in charge of your race are pretty stupid. It seems like a common theme unfortunately.

Awesome build btw.

 

[Follow Me]

Hi all, I'm looking for ideas to slow down my pinewood derby. We only give awards for speed, but I enjoy the art. I included an image of my car this year.

View attachment 1858​

The problem I have, is the end of our track goes a short distance on foam and then the cars slam into a carpeted wall at pretty close to full speed (that's been slammed into for about 25 years). I've had 100% of my cars break once they slam into the wall, and they never look as good after repair. I do want the wheels to spin, but ideally my car would make it down the track and just make it to the finish line. I've made my cars light (well below 5 ounces), I don't file the axles, and don't use graphite but they still smash to pieces. This years car I thought I had it good as I could have it run on 6 wheels but they told me I'd be disqualified if it runs on more than 4 (doesn't make sense to me since one only gets awards for speed and running on 6 wheels is certainly a disadvantage there). Any ideas besides forcing the axles in so much the tires can't spin? It rolls good unfortunately. Thanks

Nice build!


glue a wheel or two to the axle so it doesn't roll. Good luck!