Does anyone have any ideas on how to keep the vehicle going straight when going down the ramp? Use a rail or guide system. I will not get into specifics, but there are many possible implementations and you can get clues by observing train systems, monorail systems, ski jumping and bobsled competiti...

I should have posted this earlier, but here is Mtn View's run at the Silcon Valley regional:

http://www.lmsal.com/pub/markn/regionals2019-mtv.mov

11.31 at Nationals was a very impressive score for Solon. Looking at this thread and summarizing it looks likes these were some of the very best MTVs this year throughout the nation:

1. Solon
2. Troy
3. Ladue
4. Mtn View

You will learn a lot building a vehicle or vehicles. Since you don't know exact rules yet, I'd concentrate on building a vehicle that travels a typical SCIOLY distance, e.g., 6 to 12 meter range, that had pretty good speed, and high accuracy. Most of the vehicle events you place a dowel on the front...

PA they messed up. Actual track distance was 3.3m back, but they gave us a distance of 3.7m.

Oh my, that happened in Electrical Vehicle at the Santa Clara Regional a few years back. Distance stated by supervisor was 10.0 but actual distance was 10.5.

For those of you who have finished competing at states. What were the distances they gave you? I'm curious to see if they tend to give higher or lower distances.

Northern California distance was 2.7

Hmmm that sounds like a good idea May I ask how you did it without the aluminum strip? I don't think I'll have enough time to source one before competition. Edit: figured out a way that just requires a little 3D printing! Nice, 3d printing would work. I was testing my prototype with a wooden dowel,...

You don't need to saw off one side of the wing nut. When it flips over you just need something to stop it on the way back from its starting point. Think of it this way ... 8 meters forward and between 1 and 6 meters back depending upon Regional, State, or National Rules. You can just vary your star...

We tried to implement the one sided wingnut braking method, but after sawing off a wing, it won't flip over when the car reverses. Is there any solution to this issue or an alternative reliable braking method? You don't need to saw off one side of the wing nut. When it flips over you just need some...

I've got to say, this was a rather disappointing way to end my scioly competition days... :( It must be rough to be so close but so far. You did your best, and it was worth it. Hope you feel better soon~ Next year, you'll be in division D (i.e., college). Maybe you can mentor or become a SCIOLY sup...