Track Build ?

[Choo Choo]

My father-in-law loves working with wood and is open to building a track for testing our cars for his grandchildren. Any ideas where to get some designs and would it be better to use wood instead of PVC?

Thanks & make it a great week,
Matt

 

[Resophonic Racing]

Unless your pack uses wood, I would recommend getting a one lane track from Besttrack and a newbold timer. You would get better results that way.

 

[bracketracer]

When it comes to tracks, you want to "tune on what you race on" like Reso said.

IF you build a wood track, make sure the start gate has pins that rotate forward to drop, not the "trapdoor" style gate. I made the mistake of following a plan that used the trapdoor style (not knowing any better at the time) and it made it hard to compare cars if one sat higher than the other. The higher car always showed a quicker time since it cleared the pin quicker. I went back and refitted the track with a folding setup.

 

[Crash Enburn]

http://www.waynesthisandthat.com/pinewoodderbytrack

 

[jator359]

Went to Wayne's main site and Wow; this guy has more hobbies than I thought existed! Must be nice to be retired and independently wealthy!

http://www.waynesthisandthat.com/pinewoodderbytrack

 

[4wheeldrift]

Jator359, you're right...I hit the page regarding the track build but didn't check out his home page. I like this guy...what's scary is that our interests are way too similar. He nails it under the page "Why more people should build pinewood derby race cars" with the following comment:

What I discovered is that building a high performance version of these simple 7-inch long wood cars has enough challenge to satisfy an adult yet is simple enough so that the construction is totally enjoyable, not a chore.

 

[Guest]

When it comes to tracks, you want to "tune on what you race on" like Reso said.

IF you build a wood track, make sure the start gate has pins that rotate forward to drop, not the "trapdoor" style gate. I made the mistake of following a plan that used the trapdoor style (not knowing any better at the time) and it made it hard to compare cars if one sat higher than the other. The higher car always showed a quicker time since it cleared the pin quicker. I went back and refitted the track with a folding setup.

Hey BR,

That is a beauty of a ramp you built and you should be proud of it.

That being said, I know it must kill you not to have a more certain level of control over the experiments.

 

[GravityX]

All too true!

What I discovered is that building a high performance version of these simple 7-inch long wood cars has enough challenge to satisfy an adult yet is simple enough so that the construction is totally enjoyable, not a chore.

 

[quadad]

My dad loved to make stuff for my kids (his grandkids). Whether it was adding a lower handle onto the patio door, or building a swing or a sand box in the basement, ... you name it, he loved to do it and they got to see that stuff and knew he made it for them. Now that we no longer have him, I still fondly remember all of his work when I see or think of these things, so I would definitely encourage that.

For Pack racing, unless you are in an ultra-competitive Pack and/or district, I think you would do great overall by letting him build it. Having any track and timer is a HUGE step up from not having one. You do want to model the track slope/height/etc. after the track where you are trying to compete. It it's adult league, well then you need that BestTrack, but if it's not, then follow that one.

I built my first track somewhat following the classic BSA plans, tailored for my Pack's track slope and my basement. The higher quality running surface you use, the longer it will last. Mine was a cheapo with one sheet of $11 smooth paneling from Menards on top, and in the curve, with scrap plywood on the bottom. That lasted for a few years of Pack racing just fine. Eventually we wore out the edges of the material in the joints, but it was great at the time. Couple that with a modern start gate and MicroWizard kit timer and you are in business with not much money spent.

 

[bracketracer]

When it comes to tracks, you want to "tune on what you race on" like Reso said.

IF you build a wood track, make sure the start gate has pins that rotate forward to drop, not the "trapdoor" style gate. I made the mistake of following a plan that used the trapdoor style (not knowing any better at the time) and it made it hard to compare cars if one sat higher than the other. The higher car always showed a quicker time since it cleared the pin quicker. I went back and refitted the track with a folding setup.

Hey BR,

That is a beauty of a ramp you built and you should be proud of it.

That being said, I know it must kill you not to have a more certain level of control over the experiments.

Since I changed the start gate I have a higher level of confidence in the testing. I was able to extend the start pins another .300" and it made no real difference in the car's times so I know the pins are getting out of the way now! The car ran an average of 2.62483 at the lowest setting and 2.62482 at the highest setting with the new setup. Even my OCD side can live with that!

It's just one of those things. If I knew then what I know now I would have made different choices but I'm not going to go buy a new Besttrack at this point to replace what I have. If a used one comes up for sale locally I would buy it though!