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Soap Box Derby Flyer

Soap Box Derby Application 

Soap Box Derby Application-Spanish

Each year, youngsters from all over the world race the cars they build or assemble themselves for the Soap Box Derby. Though today's cars are more high-tech, the derby remains a wholesome activity that teaches the values of hard work, craft and honest competition. Any child 7 – 17 years old can race in the 2008 Rio Vista Bass Derby & Festival Soap Box Derby.

The soap box derby car is a small, handmade car with no motor that is run solely on the power of gravity. It can be built using simple materials, and the popularity of the soap box derby has made even high-tech materials like fiberglass a common component. Anyone can build a soap box derby car with simple blueprints or with the help of a kit.  An adult must supervise the build.

Things You’ll Need:

• Entry Fee of $20
• Soap box derby car
• Helmet
• Goggles
• Safety pads

Instructions

Step 1:
Read the rules written up by the 2008 Rio Vista Bass Festival Soap Box Derby organization.

Step 2:
Register for the race by September 15^th of the current racing season in the correct division.

Step 3:
Study the rules.

Step 4:
Understand that you must build the car, drive the racer you build and prove your ability to do the work required to build the racer.

Step 5:
Look for potential sponsors to help you with the costs of building the car.

Step 6:
Design the car based on your height, weight, foot length, hip width and shoulder width. The shoulder width determines what frontal-view and top-view shapes you can use.

Step 7:
Draw the frontal view, using the specifications in the rules.

Step 8:
Determine the top-view shape - its distance from the nose, the nose's shape, the tail's shape.

Step 9:
Figure out the side-view shape, matching it up to the top view.

Step 10:
Design the car body formers (section views). You will need to learn how to calculate the coordinates for individual cross sections.

Step 11:
Refer to helpful books and Web sites that describe methods used by other racers.

Step 12:
No car parts may be used that would cause injury in the event of loss of control. Order a car kit if you'd rather do that than start from scratch.

Step 13:
Have fun designing and building the racer.

Stock Division: The Stock division is for racers age 7-13 years old. Stock cars can accommodate a racer up to (Approximately) 5'3" tall and 125 pounds. The Stock car is a lean-forward seating design.

Super Stock Division: The Super Stock division is designed for racers age 10-17 years old. Super Stock cars can accommodate a larger racer up to (Approximately) 6'0" tall and 150 pounds. The Super Stock, a lean-forward seating designed car.

Build a Soap Box Derby Car

Step 1:
Begin by selecting the materials you're going to use to construct your soap box derby car. If you're building a car for recreation there's no limit to the kind of materials you could use. If you're going to compete you'll need to choose carefully.

Step 2:
Shape the base and flooring of the car. At this point you should know if you wish to use a narrow, pointed nose or a bulbous nose. You'll also want to know if you plan on rounding the chassis itself or if you wish to use a sloping, triangular design.

Step 3:
Set up the rigging that will support and house the wheels. The back wheels remain stationary, but the front wheels need to incorporate the turning mechanism. You can either use simple rope or you can select a more sophisticated steering system using a steering wheel.

Step 4:
Attach the upper chassis and main body of the soap box derby car. It is important to line up the sections accurately before you begin to fasten it into place. If it is placed even slightly askew then the problem will become more pronounced at other points on the car. Use duct tape or clamps to hold the chassis in place to prevent slipping.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a lacquer to finish your soap box derby car once construction is complete. It doesn't generate a marked difference in overall performance, but glossy finishes do show a small decrease in the overall drag of most designs.
• Be aware that if you plan on racing your soap box derby car you need to avoid certain building materials. Read the rules carefully for the derby you wish to enter as even glue is sometimes forbidden.
• Always supervise children when you build a soap box derby car. There are many different ways in which they could be hurt, so don't let younger enthusiasts build their cars without adult supervision.

How to Race

Step 1:
Locate the Soap Box Derby starting area for your division.

Step 2:
Maximize weight, if needed. Soap box races limit the combined weight of rider and derby car depending on the division. Yet you want to get as close to that weight limit as possible, because weight gives you an edge against wind resistance. Use heavier materials for your car if you anticipate being light in weight.

Step 3:
Suit up. Drivers must wear helmet, goggles and pads for races.

Step 4:
Hold onto the wheel just enough to keep your wheels aimed straight ahead, but not so hard that your hands cramp. You want to be able to maintain control of the car so that if you hit a bump, it doesn't throw you off course.

Step 5:
Reduce friction. Remember, gravity is what moves you from the top of the hill to across the finish line. Aerodynamic cars with rounded edges that lie low to the ground keep friction to a minimum and provide enough speed to finish the race.

Step 6:
Experienced drivers prefer reclining as much as possible while still seeing over the wheel. Again, it's wind resistance. If most of your body remains inside the car, you should have less wind resistance. Other racers sit low, but curve their bodies into a C-shape.

Step 7:
Watch the weather. Wet tracks and gusty winds challenge the best of drivers—in any type of car.

Soap Box Derby Rules
 

• A "Safety Board" of adult volunteers will determine that entries meet safety concerns (i.e., no loose pieces, solid construction, etc). All decisions are final.

• Only kid drivers (we suggest at least 8 years old, but not older than 17). No adult drivers, sorry.

• Similar to other volunteer programs, Soap Box Derby uses a no-tolerance rule in how volunteers are treated by others.

• Protective headgear (bicycle, motorcycle type helmet) MUST be worn by ALL drivers. Absolutely NO exceptions.

• All cars must have brakes

• No open toe shoes

• Drivers must fit into the vehicle and be able to operate steering and brakes.

• Cars must start by gravity from a standstill. No pushing allowed. No drive mechanisms. No engines, rockets, or other propulsion

• You may add weights to cars (although in our testing it appears to make little difference). If you do use weights, all weights beside the driver must be permanently secured to the car. Carrying weights in pockets/clothing is prohibited for safety reasons.

• No Go-Cart, bed frames, wheel chairs, skateboards, etc. All cars must meet the original intent of the derby, and use the steering, wheels and basic design of the kit or plans selected. The "safety board" will rule on any questionable entries. Ask in advance if you have questions.

• Derby committee will assign ID's to cars for tracking.

• Drivers must wear driver’s sticker on front of shirt. These are given out at driver check in time.

• Cars should be based on the "Derby Go-Kit" design, preferably maximum of 6' long and 3' wide. Oversize cars may have to run alone or in separate class if they won't fit on the track. No “rocket” shaped, or other tubular/cylindrical design cars. Safety committee decisions are final.

• When replacing worn out wheels, the only wheels acceptable are OEM wheels from the "Derby Go-Kit" vendor, or standard plastic lawnmower wheels available at hardware stores; 6" front wheels and 7" back wheels.

• Drivers must be ready and available to race at check-in time provided. Races will not be delayed for missing or late-to-the-starting-gate drivers. Damaged cars will have a limited time to get repaired. Late arriving cars may get bumped or not allowed to race.

• Each lane will be timed by the finish line judging when the front of the car crosses the finish line. The results will be written down by one of the race masters.

• Cars are not racing against each other, but against time. Times will be compared across all heats. Race master decisions are final. In the event of a tie, either a coin flip or tie breaker heat will be used … at the Race Masters’ discretion.

• We will do our best to accommodate people, and to estimate race times. UNDERSTAND, however, we must do one race every 2.5 minutes to stay on schedule and this will be a challenge. Your assistance/understanding is appreciated.

Awards

Awards will be trophies given out to the 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd place winners of each division. Awards will be presented on Sunday, October 12^th at 3PM in the Main Street Tent.