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Post by opaulo on Feb 10, 2013 8:34:24 GMT -6
Hey everybody! I'm in a bit of a bind. My son and I have had the best time building and racing pinewood derby cars these last 2 years and I'm considering going all in and getting a besttrack. My problem is that the garage is only 29 feet long. I showed the wife the pics of some of your tracks going through the living room, down the hall, across the dining room, into the kitchen and she responds with a resounding no, no, NO! Racing stays in the garage! LOL! I don't blame her. I've raced go carts, motocross, r/c cars and we currently race motorcycles cross country so I know how racing consumes us. We just love it! Pinewood cars appeal to me so much because they are so simple and yet SOOO complex! A block of wood, 4 wheels and 4 nails. What could be more simple? Then throw in aerodynamics, 100 different kinds of lube, polishing methods, DFW, COG, COM, positive and negative camber, drift, etc, etc....Make no mistake, you guys are real racers and we like it. Anyway, not having a test track drives me nuts. We drove 3 hours yesterday to test on a track that was open after a pack race only to find the same piece of crap 30 year old track we had our pack race on. I don't mean to badmouth it because the scouts still had fun and the racing was good but the track is OOOLD. The wood is swelled in spots and the joints are terrible. Rather than a stop area or even a blanket at the end it's got a ramp. Yes, a ramp that shoots the cars up in the air. Fingers crossed the person at the end catches both cars. That is if your car doesn't catch on a joint and pitch off the track. We just went back home. We found a hobby shop 3.5 hours north of here with a track but they only practice on Wednesdays. Anyone around Indiana with a practice track that we could come make a few runs on the weekends??? Last year we went to the giant track at the Indy museum. He was in the top 20 for a little while but eventually got bumped. He looked close at the fast cars and decided he wanted to build one with fenders so we ordered up a kit from Evolution with Nellie Faye fenders and that's what we built this year. It was a lot of work for a 7 year old but he loves doing the work. At his pack race the car had a lot of rear wobble which cost him a win. He got a very close 2nd place. He was happy but wants to fix it before the regionals. We only have a 6 foot dining room table but we're trying. It's hard to judge if the front or rear is causing our drift. Ugh, kiddo just saw me typing and asked if I found a track to practice on. He's hooked. Here's his car this year. He like a motocross theme.  And last years car. We hit all the races we could. 3 firsts, 2nd, 3rd and 4th.  Thanks to all here. We've learned so much!!! Paul |
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Post by Evolution on Feb 10, 2013 11:20:52 GMT -6
Paul,
You are more then welcome to drive over to my home and test. I am in New Concord, Ohio it is about 4 hrs or so from Indy. That car turned out awesome!
I might know someone closer to you that has a track that you could test on. I will have to talk to him as I know he has been very busy with family things lately. Send me a pm with your contact info and I will try to pass it along to him. If you want to come over to my house just let me know and we can setup a time.
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Post by khouse on Feb 10, 2013 11:28:20 GMT -6
I will tell you unless you have a Best Track just like the one you'll be sending your cars too you'll be lucky to be in the top 10. Yes, you may have a fluke as I did once when I took 6th in a KOH Modified race a few years back. It's very hard to scrutinize your car on video and try to make changes only to know if you adjusted correctly in a month or two when it races again. This is why I got out for about two years. I hit the wall on speed while others zoomed past. Like you I have limited space for a track. I don't have access to any type of track let alone a 42ft Best track. But the lure of racing is making it's way back for me. I miss watching my cars race. I miss my builder buddies. I miss the excitement of seeing if my adjustments made any difference. So I'm coming back to racing at least for a while. This time I'm not going to spend hundreds and thousands trying to win. I will use most of the parts I have in stock and try to win a few heats. That "should" satisfy my need?
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Post by Evolution on Feb 10, 2013 11:39:10 GMT -6
I think that I am going to start having two nights in the month that are open tuning on my track for guys that want to come. I think it will be a lot of fun. What a better way to spend an evening, friends and fun!
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Post by K-Racing on Feb 10, 2013 11:44:59 GMT -6
nice cars, I got to know the name of the color of the KTM car.
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Post by opaulo on Feb 10, 2013 12:39:35 GMT -6
Paul, You are more then welcome to drive over to my home and test. I am in New Concord, Ohio it is about 4 hrs or so from Indy. That car turned out awesome! I might know someone closer to you that has a track that you could test on. I will have to talk to him as I know he has been very busy with family things lately. Send me a pm with your contact info and I will try to pass it along to him. If you want to come over to my house just let me know and we can setup a time. Thanks for the offer and the compliment!! Very kind of you! Wife has a good friend in Delaware OH she visits sometimes so that might just work out! Would be great to find something closer too. Sending PM. I will tell you unless you have a Best Track just like the one you'll be sending your cars too you'll be lucky to be in the top 10. Yes, you may have a fluke as I did once when I took 6th in a KOH Modified race a few years back. It's very hard to scrutinize your car on video and try to make changes only to know if you adjusted correctly in a month or two when it races again. This is why I got out for about two years. I hit the wall on speed while others zoomed past. Like you I have limited space for a track. I don't have access to any type of track let alone a 42ft Best track. But the lure of racing is making it's way back for me. I miss watching my cars race. I miss my builder buddies. I miss the excitement of seeing if my adjustments made any difference. So I'm coming back to racing at least for a while. This time I'm not going to spend hundreds and thousands trying to win. I will use most of the parts I have in stock and try to win a few heats. That "should" satisfy my need? So everyone that races PWDR has a 42 foot track? I was just outside seeing how I could build a section on the garage out 10 feet to accommodate a 35 foot track. This is getting nuts! I fully understand when you say "need". I've been taking the boy to the r/c races and have been itching to get back into that too. TOO MANY HOBBY'S!! Right now we just want to fix this wobble and see what happens. Been reading up on tuning on a table. Might have too much weight tward the back. We have .65 oz. on the DFW. Any input is greatly appreciated. nice cars, I got to know the name of the color of the KTM car. Thanks!! Testors rattle can competition orange over white primer. It looks totally different depending on the flash and lighting.    Maybe we'll see some of you in Indy this year. Hoping to be there. |
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Post by ZZ Racing on Feb 10, 2013 13:10:01 GMT -6
welcome to PWDR!!!! i know its nice to have the full 42' or even 35' but its not a have to thing to compete. i work away from home all the time so i carry my track with me and build and test in the motel room on a 28' track so it can be done. the big thing is to get times between your track and the leagues track so you know what times you need to run on yours. great looking cars....
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Post by Evolution on Feb 10, 2013 13:13:28 GMT -6
I think several people are planning on going again this year. I like the Indy race as there is nothing else like it, but it is hard on cars. Hopefully there are some changes in store for this year. I know I spoke with them for a while last year and will be calling them very soon to see if they need or want anything that can help them improve the race or track.
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Post by opaulo on Feb 10, 2013 13:22:10 GMT -6
welcome to PWDR!!!! i know its nice to have the full 42' or even 35' but its not a have to thing to compete. i work away from home all the time so i carry my track with me and build and test in the motel room on a 28' track so it can be done. the big thing is to get times between your track and the leagues track so you know what times you need to run on yours. great looking cars.... Good info and thanks kindly! I think several people are planning on going again this year. I like the Indy race as there is nothing else like it, but it is hard on cars. Hopefully there are some changes in store for this year. I know I spoke with them for a while last year and will be calling them very soon to see if they need or want anything that can help them improve the race or track. Yes there were a few big booms last year and pieces of cars getting picked out of that box. It did add to the drama but I think a 2 story tall track is quite enough excitement. |
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Post by khouse on Feb 10, 2013 13:25:10 GMT -6
No, not everyone has a track I wouldn't think. I'm saying it's best to have a 42ft Best track set up the same way as the race track your sending your cars to. Having a 35ft track will get you close. But your still guessing on the 7ft of track you don't have. I have seen cars in the lead then wobble the last few feet and loose. But I would take a 35ft track if I had room for sure. I wouldn't however build or buy a wooden track or buy another brand of aluminum track other than the Best Track. How you set your car up on one track is not the same as the other. Being able to tune your cars on site at the race would be golden. The best thing I believe that helped me most was to build my 8ft tuning table. At least when I made an adjustment I could see it. Believe me sometimes you just barely touch your car and you've went too far. If you actually see your adjustment by eye you've probably went too far. When "in your mind" you think you just MIGHT have barely moved something then it's time to recheck on the table. When you're the top 10 you don't loose by car lengths - you loose by fractions of an inch. It could be that your axle caught a piece of lint before you put it in the wheels?
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Post by opaulo on Feb 10, 2013 13:34:09 GMT -6
No, not everyone has a track I wouldn't think. I'm saying it's best to have a 42ft Best track set up the same way as the race track your sending your cars to. Having a 35ft track will get you close. But your still guessing on the 7ft of track you don't have. I have seen cars in the lead then wobble the last few feet and loose. But I would take a 35ft track if I had room for sure. I wouldn't however build or buy a wooden track or buy another brand of aluminum track other than the Best Track. How you set your car up on one track is not the same as the other. Being able to tune your cars on site at the race would be golden. The best thing I believe that helped me most was to build my 8ft tuning table. At least when I made an adjustment I could see it. Believe me sometimes you just barely touch your car and you've went too far. If you actually see your adjustment by eye you've probably went too far. When "in your mind" you think you just MIGHT have barely moved something then it's time to recheck on the table. When you're the top 10 you don't loose by car lengths - you loose by fractions of an inch. It could be that your axle caught a piece of lint before you put it in the wheels? That what is really drawing me to this type of racing. It's very technical and precision is everything. Just like any other type of racing, races are won and lost in the pits. Preparation is key. I just saw the pwdracing main page says 64 feet of fun?? Is it a 64 foot track?? I got to go see the neighbor about an easement for a longer track now. BRB..... ;D |
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Post by Evolution on Feb 10, 2013 14:00:14 GMT -6
No pwdr uses a 42 foot track for the league.
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Post by CycRunner on Feb 10, 2013 16:40:40 GMT -6
Hi Paul,
I really like your fender car, nice job!
Now, about a test track. I agree that having a Best Track like the league uses would be best, but you can certainly be competitive with a something less. When my grandson was in Cub Scouts I designed and built a two lane test track, with a timer, that has been very helpful and fun too! I also made a tuning board which is essential!
Although I am not one of the top competitors I have been reasonably successful at PWDR, and was the last yearly top points winner at WIRL when it was functioning. My Spec/Tuner class car has the PWDR track record for the single run and 6 run average times. I also have a second place trophy for the Mills Craft class finals for 2012. I point this out to Illustrate that my use of a homemade track has been very helpful and fun too!
If you would like to see pictures of my track on this forum go to "Builders/Info & Help", then Tracks and Timers", then "Test Tracks".
Scroll down 12 places to "My Track" and you can read my description and see pictures of my track. You could easily modify my design, or create your own, to fit in your garage.
I think you and your son can have a lot of fun testing and racing your cars if you have a track. Good luck if you decide to build one.
Cheers,
Bruce (Cycrunner)_
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Post by khouse on Feb 10, 2013 16:59:07 GMT -6
Cyc Runner - Great success story. I can't find your track. Please post a link. Thanks!
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Post by CycRunner on Feb 10, 2013 20:53:29 GMT -6
Cyc Runner - Great success story. I can't find your track. Please post a link. Thanks! "Tracks and Timers" is the last topic listed under "Builders Info & Help". "Test track Photos?" is 10 topics down the list. This will get you to "My Track" which is 12 topics down. Hope this helps! Bruce |
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