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.
. I may run this exact same car - BUT shave the skateboard wheel off to curve it inward - lower the surface contact but eliminate the side areas to skip off the boards with a cap nut. Skateboard and inline wheels and bearings are very good - its a matter of mounting them straight.
