Ready to move to the next level

[Nottoshaby]

Hey guys first time poster here, have been building pinewood cars out of my garage from BSA kits and have taken 1st in pack races, moved up to council races this year and to 1st. I'm really stuck as to how to make my cars faster from this point.

Just a few questions, do the bent axles make a difference?
Do the wheel fenders make a difference?

I'm lathing my wheels and using graphite polished axels, weight the back 3.5 oz tugs sten with extended wheel bases. Rasied front left wheel this year. Exactly 5.0 oz what else a I do?

 

[GravityX]

The only bent axle on the cars ran here is the DFW. Yes, it makes a difference.

Yes the fenders make a difference, review the videos of the past races and you'll see that most of the cars run some sort of fender. Aerodynamics is critical.

If you plan to run here at the NPWDRL might I suggest buying John's Oil Secrets DVD. Buy it, watch it, and then watch it a few more times. It'll open more questions that can, and will be answered, right here. But do your homework and use the "Search" tab, you'll get about 99% of your questions answered by dong this alone.

BTW, welcome to the NPWDRL.

 

[Obsessedderbydad]

What gravity x said.

John did a fender vs no fender video on YouTube showing the speed increase with fenders. What do you mean by graphite polished axles? Are you talking about those graphite coated axles? Also, can you be more specific on your weight placement besides 3.5oz in the back? How much behind the rear axle? What's your wheelbase distance? I think just from what you've told us and my assumption of what you're doing you have a lot of speed to gain.

 

[~JBD RACING~]

There's lots you can do../images/boards/smilies/smile.gif

 

[HurriCrane Racing]

You can start by sending a car in to the NPWDRL to see how you stack up. From there you can measure your improvements.
It really opened my eyes! Like you, we had won pack, district and council. I was definitely humbled and challenged by the guys in this league.
You'll be surprised how helpful they are.

 

[Nottoshaby]

Yes graphite coated axles are what we ran this year. We used the tungsten disc with two cubes centered over the rear axle. The center of gravity was right slightly in front of the rear axles. Raised the front left wheel, lathed our own wheels, that's about it, I spun the wheels with a dremal and graphite on race day. Any ways how do we ( my son and I ) go about racing NPWDRL. I only ask because with both my sons and nephew it looks like I will be in the pinewood racing business for the next 10 to 12 years. Want to find competitive racers.

 

[ngyoung]

Just based on the description that you gave, there is plenty you can still do to go even faster. "Practice makes perfect" If you want to take it to the next level send in a car to the NPWDRL. Switching from graphite to oil will give you a noticeable bump. A lot of cars that guys here build have 4oz or more added. Some prefer a ultra light body and others still have plenty of success with a more solid body but still have it light enough to pack 24 1/4" tungsten cubes in the body.

Even if you stick to graphite and scout racing you can still learn a lot going to http://5kidsracing.webs.com

Under the scout workshop and scout build tips sections it covers a good majority of the techniques most league racers use when it comes to drilling axle holes, axle hole placement, polishing axles, polishing wheel bores, and weight placement. I think the graphite burnishing process he outlines will perform better then what you currently described. Two topics he doesn't cover is waxing the wheel bores and fenders.

Another good read you should go through that comes straight from the big man himself:
http://www.pinewoodderbyonline.com/post/keys-to-win-from-the-pinewood-derby-king-5782181?pid=1272943640#post1272943640
Beyond that a lot of the info on the oil process and even a better graphite process that I think you are implementing can be found searching the forums.

 

[derbychip]

I was definitely humbled and challenged by the guys in this league.
.

That Couldn't Be More Of A True Statement, As I Found Out.... Pack Level Domination Is Much Easier Than Competing At League Level..... But It Only Fuels The Fire To Close The Gap... Send In/Enjoy/And Be Ready The Bug Will Bite!

 

[B_Regal Racing]

Like you, we had won pack, district and council. I was definitely humbled and challenged by the guys in this league.

Same experience here. We ran 2.98 in pack. Car lengths ahead of second place.

Got slapped here, and still getting slapped. No problem, I'm coming...

Join in Shabby. Even if you don't win, its still a blast, and allows your cub to build his own car.

As a side note, I watched that DVD more times than I can count, and I was challenged to watch it again. And saw something I missed. The DVD will get you thinking...

 

[BulldogRacing]

The pros here are second to none!

 

[Rocket car]

To give you an idea how fast the pro's are here. A mid level street stock pro car will beat most Cub Scout cars by 2 ft.

 

[BulldogRacing]

What a huge gap!

 

[GravityX]

Was that you Brian, ripping the lead spot in the video?

 

[Rocket car]

Was that you Brian, ripping the lead spot in the video?

Naaaa! LOOK SQUIRREL!!!

 

[GravityX]

Was that you Brian, ripping the lead spot in the video?

Naaaa! LOOK SQUIRREL!!!

I've got to keep an eye on you!