Local Unlimited Race

[ninjarabbi1997]

Hey guys, could use some advice for a local Adult Division Race. Only rules are gravity powered, size can not interfere with other cars, the weight can't damage the track.

I know bearings would be the fastest, but the stop section are towels at the end of the track, so I didn't want to do needles. Suggestions?

Thanks,

Jim

 

[OPARENNEN]

Use a normal unlimited car. there is law of diminishing return as to extra weight.
Use 6 to 6.5 ounces. Any more will be non productive.

 

[ninjarabbi1997]

Opa,

Do you see a danger of the needle axles bending on a stop section that uses towels?

Thanks,

Jim

 

[GravityX]

I would think that if you built your car with the front axle far enough back it may prevent any unwanted axle adjustments in the stop section. But, needle axles are fragile and not likely to put up with too much abuse of a towel stop section.

 

[Guest]

This may be a horizantal approach but can you donate/ lend them a stop section or advise them on a way to modify their own?

 

[Quicktimederby]

I would do bearing wheels. Set them back in the body and put a flat fender in front of them and you should be fine.

 

[Skippy Kicky]

Use a normal unlimited car. there is law of diminishing return as to extra weight.
Use 6 to 6.5 ounces. Any more will be non productive.

I just helped my Dad out with a race with very similar rules. In his race they said 10 oz and 8 inches were the max, so I made it 10 oz with a 1/2 inch COG and I was very surprised when I found that my normal unlimited car was not far behind my dads car. Also, at the race hitting the stop section was brutal with all of the extra weight. I agree with all advice given.
(I'll be posting a picture soon)

 

[OPARENNEN]

Use a normal unlimited car. there is law of diminishing return as to extra weight.
Use 6 to 6.5 ounces. Any more will be non productive.

I just helped my Dad out with a race with very similar rules. In his race they said 10 oz and 8 inches were the max, so I made it 10 oz with a 1/2 inch COG and I was very surprised when I found that my normal unlimited car was not far behind my dads car. Also, at the race hitting the stop section was brutal with all of the extra weight. I agree with all advice given.
(I'll be posting a picture soon)

I created a total unlimited car for my son's race in Olympia.
I took an unlimited car at 5 oz, and began adding 1/2 oz weight and testing the time.
As I said above, after 6.5 oz, it was all down hill. At 10 oz, the 6.5 weight was ahead by almost a full car length. However as someone said above, do something (fenders) to protect the wheels, and if possible, take a couple of extra wheels w/o bearings. If someone's one pound car goes wild and hits it, just transfer the bearings to the spare wheel. Also, for a race like this, better off with the not using the beautiful GoatBoy wheels. If you can get some of the old Jewkes wheels, use them.