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PINEWOOD FAQ |
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Where can I find Track plans?
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What do you recommend for an advanced lubricant?
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Where can I find pictures of cars?
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Where can I find a race chart?
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How do you pack the wheel wells with graphite?
This was a tip designed for the older style wheels. The wheel well was deeper and held more graphite. On the new wheels, it does not work as well. |
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My Tiger Cub can't do all of this! How much help should the adult give?
The
amount
of
help
allowed
is
decided
by
the
pack.
The
purpose
of
the
derby
is
that
the
father
and
son
have
a
meaningful
experience
building
the
car.
This
can
only
be
done
if
both
work
on
it. |
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Hello, I have an eight year old cousin who is a cub scout and is designing a derby race car for the first time. What would be a highly recommended first car? (if you don't mind my asking)
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Which
design
would
you
pick
from
the
list? Since wind resistance is of little consequence in 30 feet of track, go with what excites you. |
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On
the
design
page...are
there
supposed
to
be
links
to
pictures
of
the
cars? Sorry, but no. Why do something that has already been done well. For pictures of cars go to these sites. Jay's page sometimes acts up.
Shape N Race Derby - Darin McGrew's Site
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How can we keep the boys occupied if they are not racing? Find a second track and have a Hot Wheels race. They fit nicely between the lanes. |
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Is it against the rules to.......................? The "official" rules are those included in the box with the car. But most districts, councils, or packs have developed other rules to avoid some people having an unfair advantage. So the rules are those adopted by the pinewood derby committee that runs the race. Check with your Cubmaster and District Executive. |
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My car went down the track fast but was passed up on the straight! how come? You will notice that some cars are slow to go down the track but seem to speed up at the bottom of the curve. These are the ones that have well polished axles, but poor weight placement. Others will go down the hill fine, but get past up on the straight. These are the ones with good weight placement, but poor axles. |
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Do you have any plans? Sorry, but I don't have plans. The reason is that I like to see the personalized creative efforts of the Scouts. I give them a sheet of graph paper with those little quarter inch squares. They outline the block of wood (top and side view). Then they get creative in design! I've even had them bring their favorite hot wheels/matchbox cars for inspiration. |
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What is graphite? Graphite
is
the
lubrication.
Most
rules
do
not
allow
any
type
of
liquid
lubrication.
Also,
oils
tend
to
collect
dust
particles
and
may
even
melt
tires. |
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One
of
the
ways
I
came
up
with
would
be
to
line
the
inside
of
the
wheel
with
some
weight
(i.e.,
lead
tape).?
Theory
centrifugal
or
centrifugal
force/fly
wheel.
Make
sense?
Legal?? |
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Are there height restrictions? Only if your rules say there are. Or if you are running an electronic finish line. |
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