Vehicross pinewood derby car

[Ldub]

Just did some volunteer work on a FLYING WEDGE last night...dad didn't have the tools, etc that the plans require.

If I had looked at the plans before committing, I might have said:...ummmmm, good luck wit dat...

I had no idea how the "Dads" had gotten into the engineering of these things.

With measurements to the 32'nd...no kid ever came up with this design...

The R/F axle assembly is 1/32" higher than the other 3, reducing frictional drag by nearly 25%...HOLY CRAP...

I still like my bottle rocket idea better...

[Marlin]

Yep, I am actually building another one today based on the other cars I have seen. I am going to do the bullet style, makes the car a hair over 1/4" thick. I did the same thing with the one wheel off and I also cambered them so only the edge of the wheel touches. My 7 year old can't do that, but he can at least tell you why all these things are important. He understands friction, drag, and so on. Of course, this is the same child that read up on the Domain Theory of Magnetism on his own and came to me with questions. Good thing he got into the gifted program here, otherwise, he would be a handful at school.
I will post up pics of the two cars we have. He originally wanted a hotrod bus. Not very aerodynamic.

[Marlin]

My son took 3rd place with a "Bus of Fury" design. He wanted a school bus, he got it. Next year, perhaps something a bit more aerodynamic

[Ldub]

My son took 3rd place with a "Bus of Fury" design. He wanted a school bus, he got it. Next year, perhaps something a bit more aerodynamic

Nuth'n wrong with being a kid...

He understands friction, drag, etc...but still thinks da Bus looks cool...

Good Boy...

[Marlin]

Nuth'n wrong with being a kid...

He understands friction, drag, etc...but still thinks da Bus looks cool...

Good Boy...

Yup, now everything we do involves friction "daddy, your belly causes friction on your shirt"...

[Ldub]

"daddy, your belly causes friction on your shirt"...

Nuth'n ta worry about....until your belly hair starts to "pill" the fabric on the inside...

[Triathlete]

Nuth'n ta worry about....until your belly hair starts to "pill" the fabric on the inside...

Just cut your tshirt off above the belly...redneck kool!