Does weight matter?

In the real world, you want race cars to be light. The less weight there is, the less work the engine has to do to move your car. Unfortunately for us, Hot Wheels don’t have engines. We rely on gravity and in that case weight plays a different role. But how much does weight matter when it comes to Hot Wheels?

Not too heavy, not too light

Use a food scale

I’ve been trying to figure out a happy weight for Hot Wheels racers for a while now and I have absolutely no proof that suggests one specific weight is better over another. All I can say is that in my own tests, cars that sit in the 35-40g mark race better than those that are below or above that range.

Then again, I have lots of cars that weight between 30-35g that will out perform those that are heavier (and lighter). Although a car that is too light just doesn’t stand a chance. If you don’t have enough weight to keep things moving then you’re dead in the water. But there are so many factors that play on making Hot Wheels go fast that I really think weight is one of the lesser problems to worry about. But if you’re looking to weight your cars, find yourself a food scale that measures in grams. I use my wife’s, much to her chagrin.

Balance is the key

Balance is NOT the key – Learn where you should add weight

The only thing I have discovered about weight is that it is important your car is balanced. Make sure the weight is evenly distributing between the front and back of the car. When racing on a Redline Derby-style track that has a drop then a length of straight level grade, you don’t want to front-load your car too much. The extra weight will help on the drop but the car will be too heavy to maintain speed along the ground.

All things being equal, a balanced car will beat an unbalanced car every time, regardless of the weight difference between cars.

Trial and Error

To help get a balanced car, I suggest using modeling clay. Load up the car with clay in the body cavities and interior. Race it, then add or remove the clay until you find a weight seems right for the car. This also lets you play with weight distribution. Try loading up the front…then the back…the middle. I use children’s modeling clay, nothing fancy needed.

Use clay to test different weights

So what’s the optimal weight for a car? I don’t know. I don’t think there is one, especially at the scale we’re talking about. I pay more attention to wheelbase and axle/wheel stability to help me find a fast car.