Keep these basics in mind at all times.

• Keep car as lean as possible
• When weighting the car, try and get enough weight in the back so your car has a balance point "center of gravity" of around 1 " in front of rear wheels.
• Make car as heavy as rules allow "usually 5 oz"
• debur axles and polish with a small file and sandpaper strips.
• Remove mold mark in wheels by lathe or sanding them with 400 grit paper while spinning in a drill or drill press.
• Match each wheel and axle and spin each one, counting how long each one spins. Put the 2 fastest wheels on the back, and if your rules allow, try and raise one front wheel and use the slowest wheel for that one.
• Use good quality lube. Hob-e-Lube is reccomended, Its great stuff.
• Align each wheel so its straight up and down, This is the most important step. You want the car to go as straight as possible. Try using a flat surface and raise one one end about an inch, Draw a straight line down the surface and let the car roll down. Adjust each wheel until its rolling as straight as you can get it.

If you stick with these basic speed tips then youll be in the top 3 almost every time. Just work at it, and dont get in a hurry. Even towards the end of the project, patience will pay off.

Good luck with your project, Derby Doc