My first Mid America Build

Jan 23, 2014
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So it's been a while since I've posted yet the pine wood has never left my mind. My 10 year old cub and I are going to build his first national car. I am re watching DD4H oil Secrets, I'm ordering 1 gram wheels, 92 axles, Delrin washers and spacers. I have never run wheels in reverse but My son's are pack and district champs. I am unclear on the set up for reverse wheels. Do I first install DD4H delrin washer, and second install the spacer with small side facing wheel? I will install DFW same as always but use a pin instead of NDFW. Should I use fender on the DFW? Tune it 3-4 inches over a 4 foot span? Should I just press fit the spacer, should I just press fit the washers as opposed to glue? Also for a street stock build, if I run the NDFW in reverse Should I tape the outside of that wheel to reduce drag? I see this done in some pics and not sure if that's the reason. What is the best process for this? Merry Christmas. Boys are playing with their toys I thought it best for me to get mine out!
 
We did not use a pin for the guide. The rules state that 4 wheels must be installed but all 4 do not have to touch. We used the NDFW as the guide, installed about 10 degrees. The "hub cap" on the NDFW can add to the aerodynamics. I glue the washers to the side of the car, some do not. We use fenders on all 4 wheels.

Not sure if you are planning to run graphite or oil but the graphite process is slightly different than oil process.
 
Small side of spacer to the wheel.

We put washers on the rear, spaces rear wheels out a little further so they don't rub on rail and sometimes the rear can rub body.
 
Thanks so much HMH, So to confirm, you glue washers on rears and dfw, then press fit spacers with small side touching reversed wheel? Thanks man, just want to avoid as many mistakes that you know happen. Merry Christmas!
 
I wish the rule would be changed so that the wheels had to be directly across from each other like we adhere to in the NPWDRL.

Although I must admit it is pretty ingenious interpretation of the rules to install the guide pin on the front and put two wheels on the rear on one side.
 
  • Each wheel must be mounted on an axle, on the outside of the car, on the vertical side of the car.
  • Each wheel must be attached by an axle and spin freely


I've been meaning to ask Greg for a better clarification on this myself. vertical IMO is anything greater than 45 degrees so i would tend to say it is within the rules to angle the ndfw I just went back and looked at all the photos on the web from last years event and did not see any angled ndfw (i will make a point to ask Greg next time we meet)
 
BulldogRacing said:
Thanks derby chip, I don't want to mess this up, it's my sons last year in cubs

You can probably get a response if you post this question on the Mid-America Derby Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/MidAmericaPinewoodDerby
 
The update Mid-America rules will be out the first part of January. As for the question asked, "Vertical" has been taken out and re-written. Max wheel angle will be 45 degrees. Also, the statement about each wheel being free spinning has been deleted.