PlaymoFriends

General => Report & Review => Topic started by: Kelly on March 08, 2009, 18:15:22

Title: 4141 Go Cart Race
Post by: Kelly on March 08, 2009, 18:15:22
Hi ya'll,

I bought this at TRU the other day because it is the only new city themed thing that they've had at my TRU in ages, and I am a sucker for modern themed stuff.  It was a really good value at only $11 and my kids love it because it  "does" something.  As you can see from the pictures, the go-carts look great, but more importantly, they work really well. 

We have had go-carts in the past (one of our older go-carts is pictured below) and I have always been impressed by how far they will roll - several feet after the end of the ramp if they are on a slick surface.

I plan on setting it up in front of my mansion along with the ice-cream vendor for a summer time tableau.

Kelly
Title: Re: 4141 Go Cart Race
Post by: wonderland5 on March 09, 2009, 02:23:49
I also bought this the other day for my son--it is very fun and well engineered!



thanks Kelly for letting me tag along with your post!
Title: Re: 4141 Go Cart Race
Post by: playmofire on March 09, 2009, 05:41:50
Thanks for the review, Kelly.  Though I won't buy it, it still looks a fun set to have.
Title: Re: 4141 Go Cart Race
Post by: Little Jo on March 09, 2009, 05:48:14
Thank you for the review. The interesting of this set is in my eyes, that they used different types of go-carts, although in Germany we would call this a "Seifenkiste" (soapbox).
Title: Re: 4141 Go Cart Race
Post by: playmofire on March 09, 2009, 05:55:51
Thank you for the review. The interesting of this set is in my eyes, that they used different types of go-carts, although in Germany we would call this a "Seifenkiste" (soapbox).

In the UK they used to be called that, too.  A go-kart really ought to have a small engine on the back.  However, the term go-kart seems to be being used more for the soapbox now, maybe because it sounds better and more exciting.
Title: Re: 4141 Go Cart Race
Post by: Martin Milner on March 09, 2009, 06:49:07
Do the two carts go (down the slope) at the same speed and distance, or does one or other always win out?

I can imagine this being a lot of fun for two kids if there's a random element, but with one cart looking much heavier than the other, I infer there might be a difference in performance. Putting two identival carts (but different colours, as with your old one) looks fairer.

I used to play with Scalextric cars, and they put the same electric motor in everything, no matter the weight of the body, so the Mini would go faster than the Porsche!
Title: Re: 4141 Go Cart Race
Post by: Klickus Mobilius on March 11, 2009, 08:26:43
Thank you for the review. The interesting of this set is in my eyes, that they used different types of go-carts, although in Germany we would call this a "Seifenkiste" (soapbox).

I believe in the U.S., they used to be called "soapboxes" as well.  There used to be "Soapbox derbies" which are races between soapboxes.
Title: Re: 4141 Go Cart Race
Post by: playmofire on March 11, 2009, 09:57:47
I believe in the U.S., they used to be called "soapboxes" as well.  There used to be "Soapbox derbies" which are races between soapboxes.

Same in the UK.  Th soapbox derby used to be something of a speciality with the Boy Scout movement.
Title: Re: 4141 Go Cart Race
Post by: playmofire on March 11, 2009, 10:00:23


I can imagine this being a lot of fun for two kids if there's a random element, but with one cart looking much heavier than the other, I infer there might be a difference in performance. Putting two identival carts (but different colours, as with your old one) looks fairer.


But will weight affect acceleration down a slope where the vehicle has no motive power of it's own?  I think Galileo did some work on this and concluded not.
Title: Re: 4141 Go Cart Race
Post by: Rasputin on March 11, 2009, 22:32:40
I just saw this at TRU also but did not buy it just yet . Here in our neck of the woods those would be "soap box's" and if it had a motor it would be a "Go Cart" hence the "go" .


I used to play with Scalextric cars, and they put the same electric motor in everything, no matter the weight of the body, so the Mini would go faster than the Porsche!

Our favorite were the "mad hatter" and the "mini ha ha" they did the 360ยบ's and were really fast . My kids love playing with the scalextric's to this day and well, so do I  :D
Title: Re: 4141 Go Cart Race
Post by: Little Jo on March 13, 2009, 05:51:00
But will weight affect acceleration down a slope where the vehicle has no motive power of it's own?  I think Galileo did some work on this and concluded not.

Good question, but isn't it said that e.g. for bobsledders weight is important, or is this just because more weight will put more presure on the ice and with this melting is better?
Title: Re: 4141 Go Cart Race
Post by: Martin Milner on April 01, 2009, 09:28:10
Good question, but isn't it said that e.g. for bobsledders weight is important, or is this just because more weight will put more pressure on the ice and with this melting is better?

There's more factors involved than just the weight, the rolling resistance of the tyres and the axle friction would also be a source of potential bias.

I notice they re-used an old special for the bigger cart, with new printing, but kept the same number ( 2 ). Isn't that slightly stupid?

The current green easter egg (I got one in Normandy) boy with cart makes a third possible racer. Now I have two carts I'm very tempted to go and get one of these sets. I'd like to see a girl racer as a nod towards equal opportunity.
Title: Re: 4141 Go Cart Race
Post by: leefert on April 30, 2009, 18:53:05
Do the two carts go (down the slope) at the same speed and distance, or does one or other always win out?


Even they are two different designs, I've found that it doesn't matter which on I put on the left side of it- that one always wins. 
Title: Re: 4141 Go Cart Race
Post by: Klickus Mobilius on May 01, 2009, 06:57:57
Even they are two different designs, I've found that it doesn't matter which on I put on the left side of it- that one always wins. 

Hmmm...interesting.   :hmm:

Any idea why?  Is the left side a little higher?  Smoother?
Title: Re: 4141 Go Cart Race
Post by: leefert on May 01, 2009, 13:21:02
Hmmm...interesting.   :hmm:

Any idea why?  Is the left side a little higher?  Smoother?

I'm not sure why it does it.  My only guess would be the fact that the piece that holds them at the top (until you drop it) could be a little bit higher on the right side.  It's kind of odd.