Mike Jackson wrote:
There is a Pinewood Derby contest being held at the track, during the
weekend....The event is being held to Boy Scout rules so dont worry about
special bearings, rocket motors, cheater wheels, etc.....
Mike,
You don't know how wrong you are :^) Both of my sons (now adults) were
Cub/Boy Scouts and we did many Pinewood Derbies. To those who are truly
serious about it, there is a level of preparation (cheating) that would make
a NASCAR team blush. I'm talking wheels trued on a lathe with teflon
inserts, polished axles with dry-film coatings..... Well I'm sure you get
the idea.
Just to make it clear, this was not the kids doing. It was the parents work
"on behalf of" their children.
For us "normal" folks who are planning to make a car, there are four things
to do:
1. Make sure it weighs the maximum allowed. You will have to hollow out the
body and add lead, as the wood body is not heavy enough even before carving.
2. Make sure that you remove any plastic "flash" from the wheels. An X-Acto
knife and 320 sandpaper work well.
3. Make sure it rolls "straight".
4. Use graphite powder on the axles (this is legal).
Hugh Barber
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