Just Saying Hello and Thanks

C

cedron

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Mar 20, 2015
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Hi guys, I'm new to this forum, and to PWD. Just built my first cars in 30 years since I was a scout, for a church-wide derby. Built 4 cars with my kids in one week by just sticking with basic wedges. Despite getting outdated info from YouTube and all the other forums (hadn't found this one yet) and making the typical mistakes bending rear wheels, etc., I got enough right to take 1st, 2nd and 3rd which made us all happy. My 3 year old got 7th--but his was a last-minute frankenstein of pinecar, awana and BSA parts and he mostly just ran around ignoring the races the whole time anyway, so he could care less. /images/boards/smilies/smile.gif

I feel the bug from building those cars and winning, so I'm going to keep on building some more and learning to go even faster. Now, I just wish I hadn't wasted money on some of the typical wrong tools, and I need to get setup with the right tools like the SB.

I just want to say thanks for all the tips being shared by the pros here on this forum. The info here is AWESOME. I'm spending forever reading through it all and gathering up knowledge. Thanks, everyone!
 
Welcome. Thanks for sharing your story. Most all have been there with buying the junk gimmick tools.
 
+1, have every freaking one. The axle press does come in handy as a "test weight" when checking initial roll out.
 
The axle bending u bar works great as a paint stand or an elbow rest. Welcome to the forum man. You're in the right place and this is a great thing to become addicted to! We all started with the same post and I can honestly tell you that I have found a heck of a lot of happiness messing around with these little cars. The pros here are great, they want more competition so they will guide you along the way but beware of smack talk cuz they will putt you in your place by about .30 in a New York second! Welcome and get to racing in the NPWDRL as soon as you can otherwise you'll look back and wish you did.
 
Kinser Racing said:
Come race man!
Click to expand...

+1 to what kinser said. You think you got the bug now? Start league racing and you'll really feel the bite. It's sad when you're more excited for Saturday because it's race day rather than a day off work.
 
Thanks for the warm welcome.

LOL on all the suggestions for the hunks of metal I don't have any use for now.

Obsessed, maybe some day I'll get the courage and skill up to do it, but I've watched the videos of the races and frankly you guys scare me--all that precision and speed. Not sure when I'll have the skills ready to do that. I also never could have guessed how much good supplies could cost altogether!

For now, I'd like to get at least good enough to consistently be able to build winning cars around here. I know I could buy great stuff almost pre-made from John, but I'd like to learn to do it myself, too.

My eldest kids are daughters and my son is only 3, so a while I can play around and learn to become good before it gets serious. /images/boards/smilies/smile.gif
 
Best way to learn is to keep building and practicing. I raced a few times in the league with completely stock parts when I started. Buying a few parts here and there through the year isn't too bad. I started with just the silver bullet and oil. Later I added a set of axles and red rocket. Actually won a few sets of wheels as door prizes.
 
A great race to keep you racing is MidAmerica. It's mostly for scouts, but John will be hosting the Nationals event there this year for the NPWDRL. All I can say is, you'll never know where you stand until you start racing. Honestly, I was scared to race too when I first came on here. Then John made a Amatuer division that I raced in. I didnt do too bad for my first times racing. Nothing close to what the pro's throw down in times, but that's ok. I got better based on my results from the races I entered. I learned how to make a better car, design, wheel prep, axle prep, weight placement. I learned all these things through racing and this forum. My only regret is that I wished I had started when I joined and not been scared to send in a car. You wont take any grief from guys on here about your car win or lose. AND if your lucky, John has from time to time helped tune peoples cars after a race.
AddEmoticons08013
As far as parts go, it's like any other hobby. You get out what you put in. I do remember talking to ngyoung before he started racing about what all to get. He did use a lot of stock parts when he started and still made a very fast car. So, it can be done. But the best part about this hobby, other than wheels after many many uses, the parts dont go bad. So you can reuse everything. Just some more food for thought.
 
Welcome to the forum! I can honestly say that I was skeptical to send in a car when I first started too. I was afraid I would get laughed at...AND I DID but it had nothing to do with the car HAHA just kidding.
I was SO shocked at how professional everyone here is. They took the greatest care and had the most respect for every ones car I was so impressed I could not believe it. Then I had the opportunity to attend a live race (GO TO the MA if you can!!!!) and it was the coolest thing I have ever been to (besides my wedding just in case) Anyway, bring or send you cars in or build new ones and send them too. The greatest thing for me here is signing in and watching the races live and chatting with the rest of the proxy guys, the banter and the cheering for each other is like none other! Hope to see you there, best of luck and post some pics if you can!
 
Ok, I'll do it! You've talked me into it.

Not with my next few cars, because I have to try out the things I've read on this forum. But, I'll work my way up to something that I feel ok about sending in.

I see the next race is in just a couple of days. Are you guys saying there is a web stream of the race live that I could watch and chat with the others watching?
 
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