Specifications

Micro Wizard is pleased to provide precision aluminum and maple laminate race tracks for Pinewood Derbies. The tracks are designed with strict attention to engineering details. The tracks are tested at the factory and are guaranteed to maintain precision racing surfaces. Considerable emphasis has been placed on ease of assembly.

High Quality Construction

To offer the best tracks you have to start with the best material. Our all aluminum 'Freedom Series' tracks are extruded on our own custom designed die from 6061-T6511 aluminum. We specified this material for it's resistance to corrosion and it's relatively high surface hardness. We took great care in designing cross sectional thicknesses to insure against the denting and nicking prevalent in other aluminum tracks.

Our wooden 'Classic Series' tracks are fabricated from a maple faced laminate with a solid (void less) birch veneer core. The track base is constructed from 3/8" seven-ply material and the lane guides from 1/4" five-ply material. This material is only available from one mill in the world. The quality of the material and fabrication are unsurpassed. This material is mirror smooth. It will not warp, twist, or delaminate. We guarantee it - forever!

Cub Scout Standards

The tracks are based on Cub Scout Leader How To Book specifications with lanes on 3-1/2" centers. Primary exceptions are additional reinforcement between sections, stronger support structures and mechanical fasteners instead of wood screws.

Mechanical Fasteners / Weight Rack

All parts feature non-stripping mechanical 'PEM-sert' fasteners. Assembly and disassembly of the pre-aligned sections and support structures can be done quickly. A special weight rack induces the curvature in the track and facilitates positive seating against the floor. Please note: We do not provide the two 10lbs weightlifting plates specified. If someone does not have these in their basement it will be a $6 purchase at Sears or Wal-mart. We could not ship them for that amount.

Modular Lane Construction

The aluminum 'Freedom Series' tracks are built and shipped as individual 3-1/2" x 8' lanes. This allows you the option of adding lanes as your pack size and budget increase. It also facilitates inexpensive and damage-free shipping. The lanes are initially assembled in a 'tongue-and-groove' fashion. They are then secured at each end by flush fitting aluminum binding plates. The 'binding plates' have non-stripping mechanical blind 'PEM-serts' embedded in them. A 'one-time' assembly calls for you to nest the track sections together (2 to 6) lanes and bolt through a relief in the 'car-guide' section into the 'binding plates'.

Reinforced Section Joints

Each of the eight-foot sections are connected by overlapping 1/8" thick aluminum 'joining plates'. These plates are 12" long and the width of the track. They are 'CNC' machined for accuracy and embedded with threaded 'PEM-serts'. Assembly of the sections is done from above. You bolt the track sections to the plates through a relief in the 'car-guides'. This assures positive vertical and lateral alignment between the sections. In addition, the plates prevent slope changes at the joints and thus eliminate track 'bumps'. Our attention to detail also includes slightly tapering the leading edge of the car guides on the 'down-track' section to guarantee against any protuberance.

Starting Gate

	The cars start at rest against stainless steel pins protruding through slots in the track. These pins are affixed to a spring loaded aluminum hinge. Tripping a small catch quickly rotates the pins beneath the track and releases the cars.

Car Brakes

The cars are prevented from running off the end of the track by means of a specially designed braking section. This unit is designed and race-proven to stop the cars quickly while protecting them from damage. The cars slide up a raised rubber grid and are cushioned against a foam barrier.

Storage

Once the modular (3-1/2") lanes have been assembled the track will not fit back into the UPS shipping cartons. We provide plans for you to easily build your own hard storage case that is only 6" tall. You can take our 'cut list' to any home center (e.g. Home Depot or Lowes) and have them make (for free) the difficult straight cuts in the plywood top and bottom pieces. You will come home with a 'kit' that can be easily assembled using sheetrock screws. We have contemplated selling cases but think the price (especially shipping) would be prohibitive.

The track is easily disassembled for storage. The four (standard 32' track) sections are removed from the reinforcing 'joining plates'. The starting line supports fold up with the first track section.