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Results of 2011 Race 8/11/11 Many thanks to everyone who helped make this year's race a success. We had 9 cars and 17 drivers. The results are as follows:Colt Class:1st. Tyler BabbelMustang Class: Inspection Tonight 7/28/11 The preliminary inspection is tonight at 6:00 pm in the parking lot by Knoll Park. Race in American Fork American Fork City is having a soap box derby race on July 5th. It's too late to register to race, but you can go watch. For more information visit this link where you can download the rules and entry form. New rules posted 6/23/11 I've posted the rules for 2011 in pdf format. The text is also posted below. We are now on Facebook 8/8/10 Please post your feedback and suggestions on our Facebook page. We are called Salem Derby. Older posts |
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Basic Plans for Building a Car This is a simple plan for a derby car (click on the image to enlarge). It shows a good way to do the steering. You could also run the steering column vertically (see below) then the cables would come out the same side as they pull on (as opposed to the opposite side as they do in the below design).
Note that the brakes shown here are not allowed under the rules. The brakes must stop the wheels.
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Salem City Gravity Gran Prix Last updated 7/15/11 For rules in .pdf format click hereEligibility and Registration The 2011 Salem City Gravity Gran Prix will be held Wednesday, August 10, 2011, at 6:00 pm. The race is run just west of Knoll Park on 300 South. Inspection and weigh-in begins at 5:00. Flag ceremony will take place at 5:50 and the first racers will leave the ramp at 6:00 sharp. PARTICIPANTS MUST BE REGISTERED BY MONDAY, AUGUST 8, 2011 in order to race. Registration is through Salem City offices, 801-423-2770. Registration fee is $15 per driver. Every car must have a unique number given upon registering. You may use any number you choose as long as it isn't being used by a car that is already registered.
Competitors are divided into three weight classes. Suggested ages for the classes are: A single car may compete in multiple classes (in the case of multiple children in one family, for example) provided it meets the weight requirements for each class in which it is competing. (All ballast must be bolted or otherwise securely fastened.) The race is open to everyone, regardless of age or gender. Non-residents of Salem City are welcome to participate. Sponsors are allowed and company names, logos, etc. may be displayed on the cars.
General Information Racers are to be completely gravity powered. No starting or propulsion devices of any kind are allowed. Driver must be in a seated position. No head-first configurations are allowed. Reclining to any degree is an acceptable configuration as long as driver visibility is not impaired. Some hints and guidelines for building soap box derby cars are available on the internet. Tips and links are available at Leany.com. Be aware, however, that this event is in no way affiliated with The All-American Soap Box Derby and rules and specifications for those events do not necessarily apply. A preliminary inspection will be held July 28th at 6:00 pm at the Knoll Park parking lot. Plan to attend this inspection to avoid any surprises or disqualifications on race day. If you cannot attend, contact Frank Leany to make arrangements to have your car inspected well before race day. Any questions, comments, or requests for clarification should be directed to Frank Leany at fleany at gmail.com (include the words "Derby" or "Gravity Gran Prix" in the subject to avoid being deleted as spam).
Vehicle Specifications
**Colt class racers will be started below the ramp to reduce their top speed All weight must be bolted or otherwise securely attached. No loose ballast is permitted. Cars may be made of any material. Any metal frame elements that extend beyond the wheels must be properly blunted with a cross bar to prevent piercing in the event of a crash. Sheet metal on the body is okay. Axles and components may be steel. Road clearance must be no less than 3". To clear the ramp the ends of the car must be above a line 20° degrees with horizontal from the wheel centerline. The furthest forward point of the car must be no higher than 12" so the starting gate will contact. Car must have 4 wheels and all four wheels must be in contact with the track at all times.
Cars will be towed up the ramp after each race, so a tow hook (eye bolt) should be provided for the tow strap. The hook must meet the clearance requirements outlined above. To share ideas and techniques for build a derby car, we will hold a clinic Saturday, June 11 at 10:00 am, at 205 E 800 S, Salem. Visit Derby.Leany.com for more details and other clinics.
Wheels This is a spec wheel event. All racers must run the specified wheels. Wheels are Harbor Freight no. 36054-0VGA, 13" diameter pneumatic tires with integral bearings. Wheels fit on a 5/8" axle. A 5/8" bolt 4-1/2" long is just the right size to go through the hub. Wheels must have some sort of locking arrangement on the nut such as a locknut or an additional nut. Wheels may be trued, balanced, etc, but no material may be removed from the wheels other than that necessary to balance. Wheels may be lubricated, but no modifications to the bearings are allowed.
Brakes All vehicles must be equipped with brakes that contact the rear tires. Brakes must be able to completely stop the tire. The driver must be able to steer while braking. Braking tests will be conducted at the inspection on July 28to ensure that they are adequate. Cars without adequate brakes will not be allowed to race. Hand brakes are discouraged. Consideration will be made for those with physical limitations.
Steering Steering must be positively controlled. Driver must be able to steer with one hand. Pivot axle steering must have limiters that prevent the car from turning a radius tighter than 15 feet. Careful consideration should be given to the steering ratio (angle of steering wheel turn to angle of front wheel pivot) to ensure that the steering is not too sensitive. Attachment points for the steering must be positively secured along the axis of force of the cable. Screw in eyebolts will only be permitted into solid wood—not laminate or pressed wood. Fasteners bolted through with locknuts are preferred. No rope pull steering is allowed. Foot steering is not allowed. Cable wind steering (a cable is wrapped around a cylinder that pulls on the axle as the shaft is turned) is recommended as an easy way to positively steer. Tiller steering is highly discouraged, especially if the car is equipped with a hand brake. See attached detail for information on steering.
Safety All drivers must wear an approved helmet (DOT, Snell, etc.). Bicycle helmets are not allowed. Cars should have full bodies including floors to prevent the driver from accidentally contacting the pavement. The vehicle must not have any sharp projections, loose parts or edges that might pose a safety hazard. All ballast must be securely fastened and cannot move, accidentally or with driver intervention, during the race. Anything inside the cockpit that could injure the driver in the event of a crash should be padded. Seat belts are not required. Care should be taken to ensure that the center of gravity of the vehicle is as low as possible. Maximum height of the seating surface is 16" above the road surface. In order to maintain the safety of the event the race committee may impose additional requirements as conditions warrant. Note: Please understand, we take seriously our responsibility to protect racers and spectators. We aren't picking on you when we require that you change dicey items on your car. Questionable equipment not only jeopardizes the safety of people at the race--your children and mine included, it puts the future of the event at risk.
Spirit of Fair Competition The objective of this event is to provide fun for everyone regardless of resources. To that end the rules strive to provide maximum safety and fair competition with the fewest requirements possible. As issues arise that are not specifically addressed in the rules the racing committee will pass judgment to maintain the spirit of the rules. If you have a question about whether something is appropriate, ask. A phone call now could prevent a disqualification at inspection time. As clarifications are made they will be applied universally to all participants.
Inspections A preliminary inspection will be held at 6:00 pm Thursday, July 28, 2011, in the parking lot by the pond. The purpose of this inspection is to give the participants time to apply any modifications that may be required. Helmets will also be inspected. No one will be allowed to race with a helmet that is not Snell or DOT approved. At this inspection each racer will be given a blank leader board card (unless he already has one). This card is to track your position during the race. Take this home and decorate it with your car number and name and the paint scheme of your car so that it’s easily identified with you. Be sure to pick up your card after the race. Final inspection will be performed at 5:00 on race day. Winning cars in each heat may be inspected after the heat to ensure that they conform to the rules.
Race procedures PARTICIPANTS MUST BE REGISTERED BY MONDAY, AUGUST 8, 2011 in order to race. Final inspection and weigh-in are at 5:00 the day of the race. Take your signed inspection sheet and leader board card to the recorder who will issue you a name badge certifying you’re allowed to race. Drivers meeting is at 5:40. Flag ceremony will take place at 5:50 and the first racers will leave the ramp at 6:00 sharp. Cars will be towed up the hill after each race. Park your car behind the ramp. Follow the instructions of the race steward who will ensure that you are lined up for your next race. Drivers must keep hands and arms inside the body at all times. Any actions that appear to be pushing or propelling the car could result in disqualification from the heat. Any car that leaves its lane during the race may be subject to disqualification. Crowding or other unsportsmanlike driving is not allowed. Racing will be double elimination in heats of 2 cars each with 3 places being awarded in each class. In addition, a People’s Choice Award will be given to the car that the spectators vote as their favorite. The format of the race may change as conditions and participation warrant.
Racer's Checklist
Last Revised 7/15/10 Salem City Gravity Gran Prix has no affiliation with The All-American Soap Box Derby
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Registration and Entry Fee due Monday, Aug 8, 5:00 pm, City Offices, 423-2770