New Member. Thanks for the add

[Dldoug]

I am new to all this and helped my sons build their cars last year and got a bit of the bug to help them do better this year. The knowledge here seems to be the right place to get more competitive at districts this year.

Last year we somehow won our pack and came in 7th over all at districts. We would like to make top 5 this year.

 

[DerbyDad4Hire]

What you want is to win it going away! You are in the right place to do it. Very easy to do. I am here to help you any way you need.

 

[Thinkin'Bout Racin]

View attachment 1071 I am new to all this and helped my sons build their cars last year and got a bit of the bug to help them do better this year. The knowledge here seems to be the right place to get more competitive at districts this year.

Last year we somehow won our pack and came in 7th over all at districts. We would like to make top 5 this year.

You have come to the right place for both information and referral to products that work! Do some reading and ask lots of questions. There are a LOT of REALLY bad sites out there about Pinewood Derby. This is one of the few that has a TON of GREAT information! Read and learn!!!!!

 

[Dldoug]

Well last night we were informed there will be an adult race included in this years derby with my scout pack. This is new and that means I need to scramble after we get our kits this weekend to build three good cars two of which will be team efforts. Was not expecting this but now I can be meticulous with one. Lol

 

[SuperSlow]

So thats how you really ended up here. Lol just kidding, good luck to you and your boys. Dont be discouraged if you dont have trumendous success on your next race. Learning and knowing something in theory is different than being able to put your hands on something going to the tools and building what you have in your head and also the other way around. Not everybody is the same but knowledge and skills and experience is a dangerous combo. The important thing is enjoying yourself and the time with your kids while doing something that is fun. Though winning is fun too, lol.

 

[Dldoug]

Well here is one car coming along so far. Stormtrooper.

 

[Thinkin'Bout Racin]

Looks good. Just curious as to the wb and how far the rear axle is from the back? Looking at last years cars, I see one of them had the wheels a bit from the rear. There is some speed to be had by keeping the rear axles as close as possible to 5/8".

 

[Charles Studer]

Looking good. Dont forget to join in the fun and have your son help you become the next top level league racer. Races monthly here.....just saying

 

[Dldoug]

Looks good. Just curious as to the wb and how far the rear axle is from the back? Looking at last years cars, I see one of them had the wheels a bit from the rear. There is some speed to be had by keeping the rear axles as close as possible to 5/8".

We are not allowed to change locations of axles from the pre slotted kit location. We can drill new holes but have to be in exact same distances

 

[Charles Studer]

If you didnt want to pick up a good drill jig you could go old school and cut the extra off the end and glue it to the nose....make sure to dress the slots square or verify square and drill holes on top of the slots.

 

[Dldoug]

You don’t have to use the slots but they use a new kit block and make sure everything lines up exactly the same. I do use a little jig to drill my holes and also run on three wheels. The best I could do with that green car at districts was 3.06 on 42’ best track, so I am trying to help my boys run faster than that. The fastest car was 3.01. We came in 7th overall and 1st in tigers.

 

[Charles Studer]

Right on....then get the rear axle set to about 5/8 from the rear end. Or at least keep the short side towards the rear end...get 12 cubes behind the axle. ...thin to win....1/4" is thin.....cant your rear axles evenly to about 3°.(dont bend the rears) Get 6 cubes right in front of rear axle....speed comes from a good square set up....verify the rears are square.... center the remaining weight left to right directly infront of the front weights...any single cubes should be biased to your dominant side....if you can test test in different spots to dial in your speed to weight package. Remember if you must use bsa axles polish the heads best...leave them thick as possible dont over work. Run oil if you can...pledge them if you must graphite....run three wheels....get it to ride about 4" in 4' or drift......the wheels and axles are the speed. Alignment front to back roll slow make sure your wheels mitagate out to the nail heads...polish those heads well....

 

[Charles Studer]

Clean those wheels.