Another weight placement question?

[chipper]

Hello, Our pack's pinewood derby is coming next month and my son and I have some questions. We have had good results with the basic wedge design using lead clyinder weights. This year we decided we would use tungsten cylinder weights and possibly try adjusting alignment with rail riding. I have just ordered the rail rider tool. We have not tried either before. We usually make two cars as we go so we can use one in the parent/sibling or open class race. Anyway, here are some pictures showing the rough cut shapes we decided to use. My son liked the shape of the "Stealth" design of Pinecar which uses their CoG system so we tried to cut out the block to look like it and we bought the tungsten adjustable CoG weights for it. The other is a basic wedge with a more design front end. Some questions are:

1. On the stealth car we did not get the rear holes drilled very accurate as you can see in the picture. Do you think it would be a good idea to start over and try and get the holes drilled more even?

2. On the wedge car I was thinking of just drilling holes into the side and install the tungsten weights. Or, is there a better idea to install the cylinder tungsten weights to this wedge? Should we be trying to get the weight lower is my point here and if so what would be the best way to do it?

Just so you know we have 4 oz. of tungsten incremental weights plus the 2 - 1/2 oz. CoG weights

We have to use the standard wheel base that comes in the kit, but we can drill new holes.

Our track is a gentle slope track (I think made by Best Track and 35')

Thanks,

Chipper

Attachments:

[chipper]

I couldn't figure out how to add additional photos to the one I showed. Anyway, here is the back end of the stealth car which shows the holes not drilled very good.

chipper

Attachments:

[5KidsRacing]

Hey Chipper....

Yes, I would re-drill the holes if you think they are bad. Drill a larger hole, epoxy in a wood dowel and then re-drill. Alot of your car's speed is determined by this first step, so make sure it is done right. I don't know if the front wheel hole I am seeing is the lifted wheel of the FDW wheel but I would drill the FDW lower than the rears, not higher.

I would drill holes in the bottom and epoxy in the weights. Keep the weight low, compact and in front and behind the rear axle centerline.

Hope that helps....

Scott