My Dad helped me get information from the Internet. Different people said different things about how to make a fast car. They didn't have any data. So I ran tests to find the data.

Polishing and graphite on the axles make the car go fastest more than any other thing (use sand paper and polishing compounds). By just doing this you can make your car fast.

But, to win you must: Cut the wheel tread down thin (wheel width, is often against the local rules); Put the weight in the back of the car (gravity works longer if the weight is in the back – it’s up higher on the track);

Deburring the axle head with a file (the nail has two little slivers of metal on the inside of the axle head); Make the car as heavy as allowed (rules say 5oz.); Wax the wheels; Lift one wheel just off the track (front); Make the car shape as thin as possible.

Name of Test (in Seconds)	Result	Old Average	Average	Time 1	Time 2	Time 3	Time 4	Time 5
Shape of Car with 1 3/4" air wing	-0.13	2.976	3.106	3.11	3.1	3.09	3.08	3.15
Shape of Car with 3/4" air wing	-0.044	2.976	3.02	3.05	3	3.01	3.02
Deburring axle head	0.114	4.584	4.47	4.44	4.54	4.21	4.76	4.4
Polishing axle and graphite lube	1.35	4.47	3.582	3.71	2.98	2.98	2.96	2.97
Round wheel hub by body	-0.032	3.12	3.152	3.21	3.12	3.14	3.15	3.14
Cut the wheel tread down thin	0.166	3.152	2.986	2.95	2.99	2.96	3.03	3
Lifted one wheel just of track	0.01	2.986	2.976	2.97	2.97	2.97	2.96	3.01
Add 1oz of weight	0.054	3.09	3.036	3.02	3.02	3.05	3.02	3.07
Wax wheels	0.034	3.036	3.002	2.98	3	3.02	3.01	3
Weight in back of car	0.138	3.068	2.93	3	2.92	2.93	2.9	2.9
Wheels close together	-0.188	2.974	3.162	3.21	3.19	3.16	3.04	3.21
Wheels far apart	-0.176	2.974	3.15	3.14	3.17	3.15	3.13	3.16

We used our Lego Mindstorm parts to help do the time keeping.

Doing the Calculations (Dad use to work for Tektronix – So we used a Tek Counter Timer too, plus a Radio Shack kit for power.