Pinecar derby

[Defective]

Each area will have slightly different rules. We were allowed to smooth out the axles and debur them, but thats it. No liquid lubricant. You had to use the supplied axles and wheels and graphite powder only. The car had to fit in a box of particular size (7" long) and could not weigh more than 5 oz.

Things you can do besides what was mentioned already... We extended our wheelbase to help with the tipping when the weight was all the way back and hopefully help it stay straighter. If the track you're using has the little tabs that stick up in front of the car at the starting line that are operated manually, you'll benefit greatly by cutting a groove down the bottom of the nose of the car. It'll get you off the line faster than the others and can be justified by saying you did it to move the weight, which it does. Your weight system should have a way to be adjusted slightly. We used a couple long bolts with washers that could be removed or added.

 

[daniel3507]

Where I am from we couldn't modify the wheels or axles or anything. The entire purpose of it is getting to spend quality time with your son. How to win should be the least important thing about it. Don't worry about modifications you can do to it. Let him design it and use it as a tool to teach him about using a saw and basic stuff.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

When I did it one dad won the dad's class with a raw brick of wood and a supertuned running gear... aerodynamics are just for looks for these things.

I drew what shape I wanted and schemed on what I wanted to do with the weight, dad ran the bandsaw and drill and then I got to paint it myself.

 

[509lifted]

i remember doing this when i was in scouts, my dad was nor ever has been in my life, my grandpa helped me since him and my grandma have a wood shop, i won three years in a row without even trying, i enjoyed being able to do everything myself with my grandpa supervising me and teaching me how to use the scroll saw, deffinantly a bonding time for father and son or grandpa and grandson, we werent allowed to do anything except make our own designe and paint scheme, it had to weigh 5 ounces and ur "axels" had cut out slots on the underneath part of the wood. deffinantly something us kids remember as we grow up.

 

[birddog321]

Making the car with your son is way more fun than the race. My son lost interest after the first heat and wanted to leave.

 

[naford]

A Lego man surfing on top like in Teen Wolf. Do they award style points. From reading this it's amazing how over the top some parents can be with their kids.

 

[dispatchrobb]

Forget the graphite, my secret to winning when I was in it was Pledge. Put the nails in a drill and held a piece of cloth around them with pledge sprayed on it and polished the heck out of them. My car would start out a touch slow, but blow everyone else off the track in the end.

 

[Jim Oaks]

I use to be a Cubmaster, and had a pretty nice track that I stored in my garage in sections. I ran the derby for the Pack once a year.

Weight is the biggest factor. But the key is how high and long the track is.

A heavier car will pull ahead going down the hill, but then fall behind in the flat stretch, so you have to find the right weight for the track you're running.