Here is everything you need to know for the 2016 OMG Fir Lumber Rally!
Date: Tuesday, March 29th, 2016
Time: Check-in starts at 7:00p (doors open by 5:30p for testing, tuning, and final preparations)
Who: Open to all OMG members and their guests (family, friends, coworkers).
Mailing-list lurkers are welcome, too!
Cost: $5 per registrant (up to 3 cars per registrant)
Where: 8410 K Street, Suite #5, Omaha, NE
There will be (2) classes of entry – Gravity and Gravity+. _ALL_ entries MUST adhere to the following:
– Your vehicle MUST fit inside a “Go/NoGo” box – meaning it can be no longer than 7″ and no wider than 2-3/4″. Also, because of some track improvements being made, it can be no higher than 10″. For you scientific types, that’s 7.000″ long, 2.750″ wide, and 10.000″ high.
– Your vehicle must roll down the track, so it needs to have at least 1-3/4″ clear width between the wheels, and at least 1/4″ clearance on the underside.
– Your vehicle must weigh no more than 6.00 ounces – note that this is (1) ounce heavier than standard Boy Scout rules, so load ’em up!
– And that’s it! You don’t _have_ to use the BSA-approved kits (although they are only $4 at places like Hobby Lobby), and you don’t even have to use wood.
Additional Rules for Gravity+ Entries:
– Your method of power must be reasonably safe when around other participants, unless you provide lead radiation suits to all participants
– The mass of your vehicle must be the same at the end of the race as it is at the beginning of the race. Exactly the same. Not kinda the same, or sorta the same.
– With one exception – if you can successfully produce a 6-ounce live steam-powered entry, consideration will be given if your ending mass is not the same.
– Your method of power cannot bring harm or damage to the judges, other entries, participants, or the track itself.
– You may want to consider some sort of nose/forward-mounted pressure switch to keep your vehicle “off” until the gate drops. We would hate for your car to use up all it’s power sitting in the starting gate because of some sort of delay that might possibly happen.
– In order to earn points for your entry, it must cross the finish line ON THE TRACK. Just sayin’….
General Racing and Scoring Stuff:
– Participation is open to all ages. Junior participants in each class will be ranked as a group, as well as being ranked with the class in general (we will identify juniors at registration)
– All cars must be registered before the start of the event. At this time, they will be checked to ensure they meet the specifications in the rules.
– Every vehicle will run at least twice (once on each lane), with the best score kept.
– To celebrate and promote the Maker spirit, there will be time bonuses for Creativity, Workmanship, and Whimsy. These bonuses will be voted on by the participants, with the top 2 vote-getters in each category receiving a time bonus deducted from their fastest time.
– To further promote the Maker spirit, there will be a time penalty for the Least Effort. This will also be voted on by the participants, with the vehicle deemed to have the least amount of effort put forth earning a time penalty added to its fastest time.
– Time bonuses and penalties will be determined prior to race day, and will be announced then. But, trust us, they will be worth their while.
Some Other Stuff:
– If you have a concern about the $5 entry fee, please see Eric or Dave K. We want as many people to participate, without barriers to entry
– Since so many folks participated in the first event, there are still excess of supplies like graphite, tuning mandrels, lead weights, etc. If you need something, just ask!
– The track will be setup at least a week prior to the race, for practice and tuning
– We will probably have at least one “Fir Lumber” Open Shop night prior to the race, so you can feel free to drop in and work on your car with everyone else.
Thank you Eric for the wonderful summary!