What is the purpose of taping the chassis or pod?

[Bal r 14]

I bought several used slot cars and they had tape on them, either blue painter tape or fiberglass packing tape. I think I have figured out most other aspects of tuning but I don't know what this is supposed to do.

[Mikeinclover]

On a podded it can help dampen the movement of a pod or it can allow side to side movement but stop for and aft movement . Different tape also has different effects. Never seen anyone use blue painter's tape though.
Mike

[War Eagle River]

Here are some reasons racers use tape on their chassis.
Can be used as a dampener.
Can be used to reduce chassis flex.
Can be used to keep screws from backing out.
Motorpods without motor screws, some folks like to tape in the motor so it doesn’t rock in the carriers.

[Bal r 14]

So it would seem I still have a lot to learn.

[waaytoomuchintothis]

For me, its mythological, or at least irrelevant. I've seen hundreds of people do it with all kinds of reasons, including "ground effect aerodynamics", and none of it ever made sense to me. Its usually heavy duty packing tape with fiberglass strings spaced in it. The kind you really hate to see on a package you have to open. Still, adherents to the practice are certain of its benefits. Since 1962 when I started, I have never seen any reason to do it that holds water. People who have been around just as long as I have will tell you they have the opposite experience. Do what you feel like doing and enjoy it.

[Silberpfeil]

I do it so when my car goes flying off the track and lands upside down…the Marshalls can identify it. Granted, after a few minutes they automatically know it’s my car. 😁

[waaytoomuchintothis]

My wife just came in asking why I was laughing out loud so hard all by myself in here with the computer.

[Bal r 14]

Well, I suspect I will give it a try on a couple of problem cars. I wish my driving skill level was adequate to discern any differences. But, I am old and too slow for minor adjustments and nuances.

[Brumos RSR]

I use it for tuning purposes. Primarily to hold the chassis square while also dampening the pod when running screws instead of springs., Does it work? …when done properly I’ve won proxy races with it but again it depends on the chassis set up. I’m learning how to set up a car to run washers, but it’s a process and possibly not for everyone (me included).

[Pappy]

I've seen tape make a car 2/10th a lap faster. Usually you can get 1/10th.

[Kevan]

I raced 1/12 pancars for decades, they all had dampers, when changing to slot cars in 2015 I saw on forums that people used tape, it made perfect sense to me and I've used it since. The same tape we clean tyres with (thin cheap duct tape) works as well as anything.
You can tune it by where you put it and how many layers.
I also use small silicone o-rings with tape as extra tuning.
Other club members have followed my lead as my cars are always smooth and handled well.

Some people say use springs but they store energy and their default mode is to unload back to the equilibrium state which can cause your car to oscillate in bends...tape doesn't have this 'memory' and slows unwanted movement down.