I do agree, even if the rules don't state it, if they say no what can you do? I am thinking of going stock class, in which bending the axle is not allowed anyway. However we need to try our current car first with straight front axle. The last time (and the first time) we raced with non bend axles the car had a natural curve resulting in a natural rail rider. Although that was with axle slots. Since then we always drilled and used bent axles in the DFW.
NYC race
- Thread starter Bubblegum
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I do agree, even if the rules don't state it, if they say no what can you do? I am thinking of going stock class, in which bending the axle is not allowed anyway. However we need to try our current car first with straight front axle. The last time (and the first time) we raced with non bend axles the car had a natural curve resulting in a natural rail rider. Although that was with axle slots. Since then we always drilled and used bent axles in the DFW.
It doesn't make any sense. They tell you you can drill it in to make it rail ride....okay, so if I figure out the exact angle give it not only toe, but to make the FDW ride on its outside edge....how the heck is that any different than bending it? All that does is make it harder on the builder to get it right, but you can still essentially end up with the same steer that a bent axle gives you. It's just more difficult.
Very well said. I totally agree with this. But then again logic is sometimes difficult. It took me about 4-5 emails to convince them last year that those small Delrin washers that DD4H sells are not air shields. But in the end they did agree with me so I do have hope regarding this rule.
As I mentioned earlier we are considering just to run stock division just to avoid this whole discussion. Will be an interesting change.
In the beginning when my son was a Tiger a stock car was all we knew how to build. But now going on a Webelo we want to build better and faster. The rules of an event shouldn't force people to race in a different class just avoid hassles that are caused by the stupid rules in the first place.
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If I had one going this year, I'd bend the front axle and show up with a copy of the rules. If they said anything I'd hand them THEIR rules and ask them to show me where it said no bent axles.
Simple as that. FAQ's are irrelevant. The rules are the rules, and the rules don't say anything about no bent axles.
Simple as that. FAQ's are irrelevant. The rules are the rules, and the rules don't say anything about no bent axles.
And I think that is going to happen. However as with all races the final word is with the organizers even if it doesn't make sense. What I don't understand is that they didn't state in the rules that bend axles are not allowed, but state it in the FAQ.
Yes, the rules are the rules! They can’t change what’s in black and white on race day. This is how people were able to run after market axles in pro stock. There was a quote in the rules for pro stock that said “ you may or may not choose to use the nails in the official kit”. It was a legitimate loophole in the ruling! The FAQ is not part of the rules and I doubt most people would even bother to read it anyway. If they try to enforce it there will be a room full of P-off people for sure, myself included!
Without reading this forum I wouldn't even have known. I only read the rules so far. I still find it disappointing that the Pro-Stock has so many restrictions. I thought the Pro-Stock was there to accommodate scouts who have districts with lenient rules. And interesting enough, with the current rules they allow scouts to run canted wheels in the stock class. Although canting for alignment purpose can be explained in different ways. As I mention earlier we are contemplating running stock, which I feel would give us probably a more level playing field. Now I just have to find the right material to fill the axles slots with so I can drill some straight holes in there.
I also had an email exchange with one of the race officials regarding the "canting of the axles". He also said that using bent axles will not be allowed. I then asked if the rules would be revised to say this and the response I received is below.
"No, the rule doc will stay the same. As much as it’s been made more verbose this year, there seems to be confusion by some that canting and bending are the same. As I mentioned, they are not. That’s why we added the FAQ doc to the web site to help clarify some of the questions we received.
I’ll ask Dave if we can send both the rules and FAQ docs to all who have registered just to be sure everyone is aware."
"No, the rule doc will stay the same. As much as it’s been made more verbose this year, there seems to be confusion by some that canting and bending are the same. As I mentioned, they are not. That’s why we added the FAQ doc to the web site to help clarify some of the questions we received.
I’ll ask Dave if we can send both the rules and FAQ docs to all who have registered just to be sure everyone is aware."
I usually don't get entangled in topics such as this, but I just can not understand how an official would refuse to clarify a rule which is obviously ambiguous to a good number of people. Truly bizarre. I would have given up racing long ago if this was the type of responses given to competitors.
I think some like packfanweb are approaching this from the perspective of the best way to deal with and work around the current rule issues and FAQ inconsistencies. That's great and a worthwhile conversation.
But my point is ... we shouldn't need to have this conversation in the first place. Not for an event that calls itself the Pinewood Derby World Championship. Not for an event whose location is the media center of the world and thus is quickly becoming the face of the hobby. This has such great potential to showcase what the hobby is all about and how cool it can be. Instead, its showcasing the rules dis-function plaguing scout races across the country.
But my point is ... we shouldn't need to have this conversation in the first place. Not for an event that calls itself the Pinewood Derby World Championship. Not for an event whose location is the media center of the world and thus is quickly becoming the face of the hobby. This has such great potential to showcase what the hobby is all about and how cool it can be. Instead, its showcasing the rules dis-function plaguing scout races across the country.
"Truly bizarre" is one way to describe it. Others might call it "galactically stupid"
Code:
https://youtu.be/CevDWRn-3-s?t=117
Marciano and I have touched down in Ft Snelling MN for the Northern Star Council Race. Who all is racing at this event?
Marciano and I had an Awesome time at the Northecrn Star Council Race. Warren and his crew are amazing and they have running a race down to a science. Very Impressive! Check out their website here http://pwdracing.com/
Marciano took 4th place in the Webelos I division.
I met some really cool dudes. Like @microbrush Jeff Rohrer, @LightninBoy Tom Barnaby, @sawdustaddict Gandy Kramar and others.
@microbrush and I
I'm not sure how many people know this but @LightninBoy has a car named 'Jack Butler' that has smoked the competition for 4 years in a row. I think that he should SEND IT IN to a league race. What do you guys think?
@LightninBoy and I
Here is a photo of the Adult Open winners LOL
Marciano took 4th place in the Webelos I division.
I met some really cool dudes. Like @microbrush Jeff Rohrer, @LightninBoy Tom Barnaby, @sawdustaddict Gandy Kramar and others.
@microbrush and I
I'm not sure how many people know this but @LightninBoy has a car named 'Jack Butler' that has smoked the competition for 4 years in a row. I think that he should SEND IT IN to a league race. What do you guys think?
@LightninBoy and I
Here is a photo of the Adult Open winners LOL
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Same car for 4 years? Thought I read that the rules said you had to build a new car every year?
Regardless, congrats to all! Wish it was closer, looks like fun.
Regardless, congrats to all! Wish it was closer, looks like fun.
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