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Post by derbydad on Feb 4, 2007 13:09:06 GMT -6
Well we had our first PWD yesterday. We didn't win for speed but we did win for best design. We would have had the best time but Dad broke an axle before the race. The emergency super glue held but we had a major wobbler. ;D Oh well next year.
Dad's and scouts swarmed my son's car trying to figure out how we were so thin, streamline and at weight. ;D
Thank you Pros for taking time to answer my questions and offering up great advise.
My son and I are addicted = addicted to speed.
Thanks again.
Derby Dad
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Post by parrish on Feb 5, 2007 6:22:05 GMT -6
Congratulations on your day.
Sounds like you will be in the hunt next year!
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HyperDrive
Head in the Pine
Magnum Force
Posts: 243
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Post by HyperDrive on Feb 5, 2007 7:48:54 GMT -6
Derbydad,
My daughter recently had her derby and took first place. Therefore, we didn't break an axle or anything like that but, we did have the second place girls' dad come over to look at the car and see how we built it. I think the car was deceiving and didn't look like it could be very fast because it was barely over a quarter inch thick similiar to your situation. But it was as it turned out. And the answer for this, TUNGSTEN baby, TUNGSTEN. No one else out of 125 cars seemed to be using any of this, mostly zinc plates and cylinders or nothing at all. But yes, the pro's here do deserve a thanks for their help even from me.
In fact, here's a funny little bit I'd like to share with all you guys. The race I just mentioned I hosted with my own 42' best track. Now at least 99% of you guys here know exactly what a best track looks like without any further explanation. Of course, I had my rubber foam stop section at the end of the track which looks completely different from the rest of the track and to me should be obvious what it's for, right.
Well, it really stands out how inexperienced some of the other dads are with this sport because with the track laid out I actually had one dad come up to me and in a very serious manner say " So, do the cars just fly off the end of the track and keep going or do you have some way to stop them". Now, I could have said something smart A back to him but, it was too funny him asking that question. So I just looked at the stop section (to make sure it was there for him to have seen) and then looked back at him an just calmly said " that section at the end has foam tape that will stop the cars". I know it's really one of those you had to have been there situations. But, all could think was "sure, like I'm going to let my own daughter's car just fly off the track and go hit the wall".
HyperDrive
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Post by 2kids10horses on Feb 5, 2007 11:58:04 GMT -6
Hype, You didn't recognise me?  I'm hurt. Really hurt!   Hey, we went thru northern Cumming last weekend on our way to Waleska for my daughter's Middle School District Band concert. We were on Hwy 369. How close did we come to your BestTrack? (My Pinewood senses were tingling...) ;D 2K10H |
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HyperDrive
Head in the Pine
Magnum Force
Posts: 243
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Post by HyperDrive on Feb 6, 2007 0:22:57 GMT -6
Hype, You didn't recognise me? I'm hurt. Really hurt! Hey, we went thru northern Cumming last weekend on our way to Waleska for my daughter's Middle School District Band concert. We were on Hwy 369. How close did we come to your BestTrack? (My Pinewood senses were tingling...) ;D 2K10H You were probably within 10 miles, my guess. However, I don't get it, how did I not recognize you? |
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Post by 2kids10horses on Feb 6, 2007 20:25:22 GMT -6
I was kidding that I would ask such a silly (rookie) question about the Best Track stop section.
On a similiar vein...
At our Pack PWD workshop where I have the Middle School shop teacher run the band saw so everyone can get their blocks cut, one of the new Tiger dads took a look at our white car from last year. He about freaked when he turned it over and saw I used some tungsten carbide chunks as weights last year. He went on and on about them. I told him they were weights, and you can use lead, or tungsten, or fishing weights or whatever.
Anyway, tonight we had den meetings, and several dens meet at the school lunchroom and gym. My son, told me afterwards, that he heard several of the fathers huddled together in the back corner of the gym discussing tungsten! He said he heard that one father claim he was going to melt his tungsten to fit his car!
I'd like to see what would be left of the car after he poured in 6000 degree tungsten!
I told my son not to worry.
2K10H
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Post by derbydad on Feb 9, 2007 8:45:06 GMT -6
We will definately be in the hunt next year -- but that's too long to wait. We will be giving WIRL a try.
In the spirit of contributing knowlege to the sport - I have found it is not a good idea to put your car on the furnace to speed the paint drying. A car can catch on fire. I have also found that a fire damaged car will require two additional coats of a quality stain kill primer.
Derby Dad
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HyperDrive
Head in the Pine
Magnum Force
Posts: 243
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Post by HyperDrive on Feb 9, 2007 13:58:39 GMT -6
He said he heard that one father claim he was going to melt his tungsten to fit his car! I'd like to see what would be left of the car after he poured in 6000 degree tungsten! I told my son not to worry. 2K10H Man, My eyes just got really big when I read that. It's actually almost 6200 deg F. That's about 3 times hotter than volcanic lava. He best better buy some cubes or cylinders if he wants to use that. Yeah, I would love to stand over his shoulder while he's trying to use a propane torch, etc. and wondering why it won't melt. HyperDrive |
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