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Carlisle Valve Cover Races

Just a sub thread to this year's Carlisle thread. How many have valve covers ready to race? who is building?

I've decided to make a racer; Cory says he's thinking on it to. Anybody else?

For those unfamiliar, valve cover races are basically a pinewood derby. Two toy cars on a hill track that runs straight for about 40 feet. You win by having the straightest tracking car with the least rolling resistance. Here's a video @PrickleyPete posted a while back on the Carlisle thread showing the track under construction.

This one is sponsored by Acme. They're going to do a tournament and Carlisle and an actual series over the summer. All VW valve covers. They're calling it The Acme Cup.

Here's their website.

Times not yet announced:

The inaugural Acme Cup race will be held at the: Import and Performance Nationals May 13th. & 14th.

Located at the Carlisle Fairgrounds, Carlisle Pa.

This race is open to anyone who wants to compete.  Track location in the show, and race starting times will be announced at a later date.

Test and Tune will be Friday evening May 13th. (Starting time TBA)

The Acme Cup Race will be Saturday May 14th.

Registration/tech times TBA

Race starting time TBA

Rules are here.

Basically it's a 5 lb limit. I checked with Andy Burger (he's the point man on this; dune buggy guy Alan Merklin's known for 3 decades), and he says hard drive discs can be used as wheels under these rules. That's apparently a good option, as described by this video (check in at 2:00):

But you can also make them out of skateboards, roller skates; anything you want.

I've got some ideas for my build. I'd love to hear from those of you who have built and raced these in the past.

Last edited by edsnova
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