Racing backwards
I have been reading through the community blogs and the only question I really have left is -
Does anyone simply turn their cars around and run them backwards?
Or is there an unspoken agreement that they always run nose first?
I havent seen a photo, video or post - that I can recall on this. It is always my first "mod" on any slow car. In my test box - this would usually only gain one or two places, but sometimes would result in a rise to the top of the charts. About 1/3 of top 20 or so cars I have tested so far - run better backwards. Interestingly though never in the top 3!
Discussion
no, some hot wheels are made with the rear taller than the front can catch the paddles [forward only in the instructions]
The reason I brought this up, is because I can remember a few wheel standers and drag racing VW pickups that ran with the cab (driver) located at the back in the '60 and '70. I think there were also some models out back then as well.
I do agree you shouldn't run vehicles through any finish line equipment - from the back (or wrong) side.
The Fire Eater (a top 6) and ICE Cream Truck (my current slowest) I have, which are basically building blocks on wheels and the Qoubee (a top 20); do fine though, entering from the front (right) side of the finish line, running traditionally or backwards.
As to confusing, I dab the rivet on the rear chassis bottom of my cars with a red sharpie (or somewhere else on the base) to keep them straight - as it does get confusing - when they leave the track! Otherwise; they are staged backwards in the test box.
Another confusing aspect would come - if I started sending them out for races and asked someone else to run them backwards - I dont plan on doing it though! Will just keep it local. Maybe when I get the time to host an event - it will be a reverse drag racing meet!
I never saw them race for real, but that is the image memory I have. It is of the Little Red Wagon though and all the internet images I cam find now show it running nose first!
I had the unique chance to work on the "Little Red Wagon" one night at Englishtown Raceway Park, Bill Golden didn't have a crew with him when he traveled. I offered to help and he took me up on it. I also used my "89" Chevy Cavalier Wagon as the tow vehicle that night.
This is #4, the one I had worked on. Garlets has a built for him never used Wagon built by "Maverick"
my expert racers [drag tracks] track sets have a warning with them saying not to race backwards... I think it is because the finish line paddles [delicate] may jam when the cars pass under it...
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ps. I just got the "racing hot wheels" spelled backwards... crafty