SoE Derby

The Great Race

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November 22nd at the Innovation Design Center

The inaugural School of Engineering (SoE) Derby will be held on November 22nd at the Innovation Design Center (IDC) in room 137.  The SoE Derby is a classic pinewood derby challenging students to apply their engineering and physics skills to build the fastest car.  There are two separate divisions, Regulation and Outlaw. Registration is required for each division you wish to compete in.  Prizes are given for 1st, 2nd, 3rd (fastest times), and an Innovation Design awards for each division. The Regulation division has more traditional rules while the Outlaw division opens the rules to allow for more creative solutions.  A free lunch will be provided at 1:00 p.m.

Regulation Division

Weigh-in: 1:00 p.m.-1:30 p.m.

Race Begins: 2:00 p.m.

Registration Deadline: November 8 @ 5:00 p.m.

Registration Fee: $5.00 (Includes kit of parts)

Regulation Registration - NOW OPEN!

Prizes

1st Place: $250

2nd Place: $125

3rd Place: $75

Innovation Design Award: $250

SoE Derby Logo

Outlaw Division

Weigh-in: 2:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m.

Race Begins: 3:00 p.m.

Registration Deadline: November 8 @ 5:00 p.m.

Registration Fee: FREE! (No parts included)

Outlaw Registration - NOW OPEN!

Prizes

1st Place: $250

2nd Place: $125

3rd Place: $75

Innovation Design Award: $250

Checkers

Prizes & Lunch Sponsored by:

Fisher Unitech sponsor
Kendall Electric sponsor
Rockwell Automation sponsor
GVSU logo

OFFICIAL RULES

ALL DIVISIONS

  1. Cars will race once in each lane of a four-lane track. Lowest average time wins.
  2. Cars will be quarantined after weigh-in.
  3. Each car must pass inspection by the official Race Committee.
  4. One entry (car) per racer per division. 100 cars max. per division.
  5. If a car leaves the track, the race may be rerun once at the request of the “driver”.
  6. If the car leaves the track more than once, the race is not rerun and the car will receive the default time of 9.999 secs. for the race.
  7. All challenges or rulings shall be presented to the Race Committee and their decision shall be final without appeal.

Each car is inspected at weigh-in for the following inspection points:

Derby Car Dimensions

  1. The overall width of the car including wheels shall not exceed 2.75 inches.
  2. The overall height of the car shall not exceed 7”.
  3. The minimum wheel spacing side to side shall be 1.75”.
  4. The car must have 3/8” clearance underneath the body.

Derby Car Weight

  1. Cars may not exceed 5.0 oz. max. The weigh-in scale at inspection will prevail. 

REGULATION DIVISION

Body, Wheels, and Axles

  1. The overall length of the car shall not exceed 7 inches.
  2. The kit wood block must be the primary body for the car but MAY be modified as desired.
  3. The wheels must come from the supplied kit but MAY be modified as desired.
  4. The axles must come from the supplied kit but MAY be altered, polished and lubricated.
  5. The wheels and nails provided in the kit must be used to bear the weight of the car body.
  6. It is NOT required to use all of the supplied kit parts.
  7. Other materials (except for weight) may only be added for cosmetic purposes.

 Car Modifications Not Allowed

  1. Wheel bearings, washers or bushings are prohibited
  2. The car must not ride on any type of springs
  3. No starting devices.
  4. The car must be freewheeling.
  5. No loose material of any kind, such as lead shot, may be used.

OUTLAW DIVISION

(Complete rules include “All Divisions” rules above.)

  1. No remote control

INNOVATIVE DESIGN AWARD

  1. Significant portions of the car must be designed with Solid Works and manufactured with Solid Cam and or 3D printed.
  2. A typed report with a cover sheet, printout of 3D model, detailed drawings, and car pics shall be submitted at registration.
  3. A maximum of five single sided sheets for the report may be used.
  4. Preference will be given to designs that include a 3D assembly model with drawings.
  5. An executive summary (two paragraphs max.) must be given as to why the submission is best qualified for the award.

TRACK SPECIFICATIONS

  • Surface – yellow extruded custom PVC
  • Elevation – 45” @ start post
  • Inclination – 27 degrees @ start post
  • Length – 40 ft. ¼” start post to timing trap
  • Lane width – 3.45” wide
  • Lane guide – 1.65” wide x .305” high (car straddles guide)
  • Lane divider - .41” diameter half round
  • Start post – 0.1885” diameter +/- .0010” on lane centerline +/- .060”
  • Start area – 9 5/8” clearance from post to beginning of track
  • Timing beam – approx. ¼” diameter at center of lane
Start Line
Finish Line
Checkers



Page last modified October 22, 2019