[PxTx]

My cars wouldn't be nearly as fast racing backwards. I'll try to explain what I like to do and it should make sense why it wouldn't be nearly as fast in reverse.

1. Alignment. Rear wheels are canted upwards so the wheels migrate away form the body. Front wheels, when allowed only have 1 touching, and steering wheel set to rail ride- look up if you need to know what this is.

2. I polish the axles, but don't get into making cuts or reshaping with grooves. Depending on the rules, I may bend 1 axle.

3. Wheel base should be as wide as possible. If you have to use a stock wheel base, then build an extended front end, meaning have the rear wheel as high up on the track as possible and keep the car as long as allowed. If you can re-position the axles and maintain stock wheel base, great. If not, cut off the back of the block and transfer to the front f the car.

4. Weight, not only do you want the 5.0 weight, you should also try to position the weight as high on the hill as possible. Think of it as a pendulum, so the higher the weight is, the longer the fall and so the bigger the boost on the transition. If it is too far back, you risk unloading the fornt end too much and the car bounces back and forth on the center rail, scubbing speed. You want the center of gravity so that about 1" in front of the rear tire the car will balance on a edge (like a ruler). The weight on the back end of the car coupled wiht the rear wheel as high as possible can be a huge advantage.

5. Do a search on the wheels. Certain mold numbers are better. Try to get 3 or 4 of the better ones. The modern wheels are pretty round. I usually just polish the wheel bores like crazy. I also polish the wheel hubs where the head of the axle touches them, as well as where they can contact the body.

The inexpensive, popular weight is either zinc, or random washers and screws form your workshop. The lead is much more dense, as long as you handle it properly, no real risk. I do like the tungsten cubes, as it is more dense than lead and safer around the kids.