A4_3 The Fastest Lap

Abstract

Both banked track and flat track roller derby are fast sports, but on which type of track can a skater get their fastest lap time? By considering the frictional and gravitational forces acting on skater’s wheels while going around the track types, the maximum velocity before the skater starts to slide outwards was found. The flat track lap time was 8.3 seconds compared with a faster 7.5 second lap on banked, even though the banked track skating path is 10m longer in circumference.