Speed Tools

It could be any number of things, but the first thing we would recommend checking is your wheel alignment, making sure they are aligned properly. We suggest using our Wheel Alignment Tool to verify wheel alignment.

Poor car performance could be the result of any number of reasons. Here are a few common problem areas.

Wheels are not installed straight and parallel.

Car is not the maximum weight allowed per race rules. Heavier cars go faster.

Verify that the majority of your weight is toward the rear of your car.

Wheels and axles are not tuned and polished. This lessens friction.

Wheels and axles not lubricated with graphite. Also lessens friction.

Bottom clearance not adequate and car drags on track guide.

We recommend purchasing the PineCar How-To Book: Design for Speed (P383). It walks you through the entire building process, starting with cutting the basic block and finishing with race day check-in.

It could be any number of things, but the first thing we would recommend checking is your wheel alignment, making sure they are aligned properly. We suggest using our Wheel Alignment Tool to verify wheel alignment.

Poor car performance could be the result of any number of reasons. Here are a few common problem areas.

Wheels are not installed straight and parallel.

Car is not the maximum weight allowed per race rules. Heavier cars go faster.

Verify that the majority of your weight is toward the rear of your car.

Wheels and axles are not tuned and polished. This lessens friction.

Wheels and axles not lubricated with graphite. Also lessens friction.

Bottom clearance not adequate and car drags on track guide.

We recommend purchasing the PineCar How-To Book: Design for Speed (P383). It walks you through the entire building process, starting with cutting the basic block and finishing with race day check-in.

Poor car performance could be the result of any number of reasons. Here are a few common problem areas.

Wheels are not installed straight and parallel.

Car is not the maximum weight allowed per race rules. Heavier cars go faster.

Verify that the majority of your weight is toward the rear of your car.

Wheels and axles are not tuned and polished. This lessens friction.

Wheels and axles not lubricated with graphite. Also lessens friction.

Bottom clearance not adequate and car drags on track guide.

We recommend purchasing the PineCar How-To Book: Design for Speed (P383). It walks you through the entire building process, starting with cutting the basic block and finishing with race day check-in.

XLR8® is a special blend of graphite. the stainless steel applicator allows for precise application.

Depending on how the graphite is applied, Hob-E-Lube Dry Graphite Lubricant with Molybdenum (P358) should last throughout an entire derby event. 

Some derby events do not allow additional applications of graphite. But if your local race rules allow, reapply a small amount of graphite between each elimination run for optimum performance.  

Suggestions for Applying Graphite
Apply graphite on the inside of wheel hubs, one at a time. Spin wheels to distribute graphite evenly. Then, apply additional graphite between the wheel and axle on the outside of each wheel. Spin to distribute evenly.

All weight is approximate.

Lengthwise: Sides 0.5 oz ea / Center 1 oz

Middle-Center Sections: Sides 0.28 oz ea / Center 0.44 oz

Small Increments: Sides 0.03 oz ea / Center 0.04 oz ea

There is too much weight in the rear of the car. Move the weights forward a bit, and retest the car.

This is the result of well-placed weight in the rear of your car. Gravity driven racers continue to accelerate until the weighted portion of the car reaches the flat area of track. Most likely, the cars you are racing against have too much weight near the front and are slowing sooner than yours.

Poor car performance could be the result of any number of reasons. Here are a few common problem areas.

Wheels are not installed straight and parallel.

Car is not the maximum weight allowed per race rules. Heavier cars go faster.

Verify that the majority of your weight is toward the rear of your car.

Wheels and axles are not tuned and polished. This lessens friction.

Wheels and axles not lubricated with graphite. Also lessens friction.

Bottom clearance not adequate and car drags on track guide.

We recommend purchasing the PineCar How-To Book: Design for Speed (P383). It walks you through the entire building process, starting with cutting the basic block and finishing with race day check-in.

Congratulations! This is how a well built PineCar should perform. Each time you race your car, the wheels and axles are getting more broken in. As a result, your car is experiencing less friction each time it races down the track.

Yes, holes can be drilled into the rear of the Funnycar Pre-Cut Design. Round Weights (P350) and Tungsten Cylinder Weights (P3914, P3915) fit a 3/8" cavity and Tungsten CoG Weights (P3918, P3919) fit a 23/64" cavity. The amount of weight needed will depend on your local race rules.

We do not recommend melting the weights.

The P3969 weighs 1.35 oz +/-.

The 3 oz weights would bring one car block up to 4.35 oz +/-. However, you need to figure in the weight of wheels, axles, paint, etc. There are variances in these items, so it is difficult to determine the exact weight of a car until it is assembled.