TIPS  &  TRICKS ………

·        Ensure that your car is tracking (steering) in a straight line before you register

·        Ensure that you have thoroughly lubricated your car before the heat or final starts.

·        Check your wheels for freedom of movement.
Can you flick all the wheels and have them spin 20 seconds before they come to a stop?

·        Always handle your car by the body not the wheels. This makes sure the axles don't get out of alignment.

·        Don’t roll your car in the dirt, concrete surfaces or carpet.
It’s a sure way to ruin the wheels and axles.

·        Don’t run with your car in your hands.
You may to drop it which may break something you cannot repair

·        If your car doesn’t do very well rolling forward try racing it backwards.
Cars will run faster one way than another.

Get as much track time as possible so that all fine tuning can be done before racing starts.

 

Breakaway Friction

 

Using a smooth board or table, evaluate how soon the car(s) start to roll. To judge the rolling resistance and the initial breakaway friction resistance place your car(s) on the surface than slowly elevate one side until they just start rolling. The lower the angle the lower the friction and better your car.

 

Forward or "R" for Race

 

You will find that sometimes for reasons that you can't explain some cars will run faster when its running backwards. Maybe its the weight position, alignment, wheel placement or other more obscure reason but for whatever reason it is a fact that most cars will run slightly faster in one direction than in another. Please understand that while there is a slight difference it may not be enough to make a huge difference in the long run. Just the same, if there's difference you're just as well to take advantage of it. Run your car against another car and try racing it both frontward and backwards to see which is faster. Maybe that "R" on the gear shifter is for RACE in Reverse.

It’s too bad that you don’t have a chance to race your car every day but that makes it all the more special when you do race. We have to remember what this is all about. Fun! Of course we have spent a considerable amount of time building this car and we expect to do well b-u-t so did a lot of other racers. At the end of all the racing there will one car declared the fastest.. It may or may not be yours. It may not be your fault or something you have control but sometimes luck may in the end help determine the winner. This is where your sportsmanship will come into play. Sometimes its hard to be a good loser but remember you are in good company and you will have done your best!