Sunday October 26, 2003

The BWA Advantage

This article is really just a public "thank you note" to Al Penrose of BWA Wheels. He allowed me the opportunity to take a couple of his models home with me to test and race after the latest Hobby Expo in Chicago. After running many miles on them I have come to appreciate the results one will get from advanced tuning...and from his wheels.

Most of you are already familiar with the products by BWA but for those just joining us I thought it would be something they would appreciate. BWA have been making turned aluminum wheels with custom resin inserts for a while now and with great success. You will hear quite often in our message forums from other enthusiasts singing the praises of the product and for good reason too. These wheels are just as round and true as you can get...period.

Another part of this wheel system are the resin inserts. These separate inserts allows you to choose different wheel patterns to match specific prototypes easily. For painting these inserts you can use most any paint found on the market today. I choose inexpensive silver paint found in Wal-Mart for about $0.98 cents a can. Again, using other brands of paint is fine of course, I am just cheap in this regard and the results are good enough for me.

To keep the insert securely in place, I like to use rubber silicone sealant instead of any powerful adhesives. BWA suggests you use Matt Varnish found in any art supply store. The reason for this is that you might want to change the wheel patterns at some point and using this silicone makes removal of the old insert easier for me. BWA has a wide variety of these inserts available so you should be able to find the right one for you.

Now I will admit that not all of my models get upgraded to these wheels, although they would benefit from them. It is just on some particular models that I want to invest a little more to get maximum performance. In most cases this usually means I am tuning a model for non-magnet racing and I need the smoothest operation possible from the running gear.

However, sometimes it isn't just the wheels to get the car just right. On some models you are going to need to change out some drive-line components. The reason for this is simple really: Why put these good wheels on a bad axle? Some axles are also a little too large for the wheels to fit, so here again its time for a change. I asked Al Penrose of BWA for a little help in this department and he did more than just give advice...he gave me his models.

He knew I was a fan of the Ninco Speedster, and since I just tuned mine with the help of Dave Dobner I was very happy with it. Then I set the BWA Speedster on the track and let her rip...amazing. I posted lap times in the 4.7 second range with the BWA model, with my model coming in around 4.9. It might not sound like a big difference...but there is more to it than that.

My model was equipped with silicones instead of the standard Ninco rubber with about 1/4 ounce of lead added. The BWA model used the standard rubber, with NO added weight. His model came in at 48 grams total weight at the chassis...mine was 54. I shaved a little lead off mine to get it right at the same weight...still the BWA car pulled away.

What else did he do to this thing??? His response: In most cases...and the Ninco Speedster is a case in point, you have to change the axles and sometimes the bushings (certainly on the Ninco cars) I use 3/32 piano wire for axles. At 3 feet for a buck or so at your local hobby store, that's not too bad. For bushings I  usually use commercial raceway style 3/16x3/32 Oilite Bushings.

As well as making sure you have wheels that are round and true, the slight weight difference in them really help your models perform better. Getting the center of gravity as low as you can is important when tuning your models, especially with out the magnets. These wheels help in this department and just seems to give his little Speedster a more solid, reliable feel. When it comes to advanced tuning of your models I can safely suggest you consider adding these wheels, the difference they make for me is well worth it and I think you will end up feeling the same way.

However, as good as these wheels are it is the service you get that makes them the best on the market. THAT is the advantage. If there are better wheels available...I can't find them, and even if there were I doubt you will get the kind of service and support Al gives his customers. He is a major contributor in our message forums and always ready to help the enthusiast. I for one appreciate his efforts and look forward to getting my models up to "speed" with his help. My next project? Trying to get my Carrera Cuda to lap the track like his does...without the magnet.

Thank you Al!

- Harry

Thanks go to BWA Wheels for allowing us to test and race these fine models. Make sure you stop into the BWA Website and have a look around as well as visit Professor Motor who now carry the full line of BWA products.