|
Post by derbydad3 on Sept 6, 2009 6:56:31 GMT -6
How big of a factor is aerodynamics in PWD racing. The reason I ask is I am getting ready to work on this years cars. Last year we did well 1st in both modified and scouts in the pack and 3rd and fifth in distircts. Neither of the cars were aerodynamic. one looked like a twinkie and the other a tank with a turret.
|
|
|
Post by andylester on Sept 6, 2009 10:31:10 GMT -6
How big of a factor is aerodynamics in PWD racing. The reason I ask is I am getting ready to work on this years cars. Last year we did well 1st in both modified and scouts in the pack and 3rd and fifth in distircts. Neither of the cars were aerodynamic. one looked like a twinkie and the other a tank with a turret. At the cub scout level, "usually" aerodynamics do not make much of a difference. When you get into doing everything else you can do to a car to make it fast, that is usually the last concern. Still, If I lost a district race by .002 or something small, then aerodynamics would have helped me get the win. If you take a look at some of the fastest cars on this forum, 99% are very low and sleek. Whatever you do, do not make your kids car aerodynamic if he wants a tank, twinkie, spongebob, or something else. What you do is build two cars, show him which one is quicker, then let him decide! It's a win win if you ask me!
|
|
|
Post by steepslope on Sept 6, 2009 21:55:14 GMT -6
How big of a factor is aerodynamics in PWD racing. The reason I ask is I am getting ready to work on this years cars. Last year we did well 1st in both modified and scouts in the pack and 3rd and fifth in distircts. Neither of the cars were aerodynamic. one looked like a twinkie and the other a tank with a turret. At the cub scout level, "usually" aerodynamics do not make much of a difference. When you get into doing everything else you can do to a car to make it fast, that is usually the last concern. Still, If I lost a district race by .002 or something small, then aerodynamics would have helped me get the win. If you take a look at some of the fastest cars on this forum, 99% are very low and sleek. Whatever you do, do not make your kids car aerodynamic if he wants a tank, twinkie, spongebob, or something else. What you do is build two cars, show him which one is quicker, then let him decide! It's a win win if you ask me! I second Andy. What usually makes the difference in PWD is alignment. A couple of other factors might come into play depending on your rules but if you can get the car to go straight it don't matter if it's a twinkie or a boat. But, if you are competing against aero cars with good alignment yours should be as well. steepslope24
|
|
derbydominator
Head in the Pine
"Zero Gravity" PWDR Pro Modified
Posts: 146
|
Post by derbydominator on Sept 7, 2009 10:13:55 GMT -6
Derbydad3,
Aerodynamics are certainly important but not as much as the other factors in a regular pinewood derby race. However, at the district level, it becomes a bit more important because you will be racing against other builders who will have done the requisite polishing, alignment etc. At that level, races are more commonly won by thousandths of a second. Aerodynamics generally count in that kind of range. It is a matter of your child's real objective. Does he want the fastest tank or twinkie or the fastest car. Thing is, don't just accept the fact that you can't make an aerodynamic tank. Why can't you? It won't be as aerodynamic as a classic thin wedge but it could be close.
|
|
|
Post by andylester on Sept 7, 2009 12:25:11 GMT -6
Derbydad3, Aerodynamics are certainly important but not as much as the other factors in a regular pinewood derby race. However, at the district level, it becomes a bit more important because you will be racing against other builders who will have done the requisite polishing, alignment etc. At that level, races are more commonly won by thousandths of a second. Aerodynamics generally count in that kind of range. It is a matter of your child's real objective. Does he want the fastest tank or twinkie or the fastest car. Thing is, don't just accept the fact that you can't make an aerodynamic tank. Why can't you? It won't be as aerodynamic as a classic thin wedge but it could be close. You know, if you look at an M1A1 Abrams tank, they are pretty aerodynamic compared to a Sherman!! ;D
|
|
derbydominator
Head in the Pine
"Zero Gravity" PWDR Pro Modified
Posts: 146
|
Post by derbydominator on Sept 9, 2009 21:14:11 GMT -6
Andy,
Do you think we can get Lima to open up a tank division? We would obviously have to put in a rule that says you cannot have a fully operational laser on the tank. Strictly for the safety of nearby race fans, not that it would be used against competing tanks. Right? ;D ;D ;D
DerbyDad3,
I wasn't joking about the first tank comment being aerodynamic albeit there are the obvious challenges. It can be low profile and still look like a tank. I am just making the point that at the local level, not so much at districts, you can make creative cars still fast enough to win. For your son, what is most important? That is the primary question.
|
|