Brisbane Derby 2008

Brisbane Derby

Rules and Regulations

2008

 Introduction

The Brisbane Derby is hosted by the City of Brisbane and the Parks, Beaches and Recreation Commission.

 The Derby is designed to be a fun family orientated event that requires the cooperation between child and parent to achieve a positive goal.  The goal of the Derby is not to reward the fastest race car or race champion but to promote the bonds of family while helping young racers learn the importance of hard work, dedication and sportsmanship.  The win at all cost mentality, will be discouraged.  Awards will be given to drivers that display a high degree of sportsmanship.

 The Brisbane Derby is for “home-built” cars only, which use the prescribed kits provided by the Brisbane Derby organizers.  Professionally built cars or cars that have been purchased by an outside vendor are not allowed.  All race cars are required to use the wheels, steering linkage and axles provided in the Derby Kit.  Failure to use these items can result in disqualification.  There is plenty of room for individuality in the design and building of your racer.  Derby car builders are encouraged to use creativity and ingenuity when building their car.  Special awards will be given to those cars that are unique or especially creative.   

 It is important to get started on your as early as possible.  Plan to spend at least 10 hours on your racers.  Careful planning and attention to detail will yield the best results.  The Brisbane Derby organization will provide you with the minimum supplies needed to get you derby car started but you will need to more effort into your car if you want to have a unique well built car.  There will be several car building seminars sponsored by the Parks and Recreation Department to help you get started on your car.  Dates for these seminars will be provided at a later date. 

 Please remember that the date for the Brisbane Derby is the first Saturday in October and takes place along side Brisbane’s “Day in the Park”   

  BUILDING RULES AND REGULATIONS

 1) Wheels and build kit provided by the Brisbane Derby organizers must be used so as to assure equal chance by all racers to compete. Wheels must not be altered or exchanged. There is to be no changing of bearings, shaving of tires, covering of wheel hubs, or any alterations whatsoever to the wheels (lubrication of bearings and painting of the plastic hubs is permitted).

 2) Mandatory Car Dimensions must be followed:

 A) Axle Length (front and rear)

          Minimum    18” (45.5 cm)

          Maximum   36” (91.5 cm)

B) Protrusion of axle beyond wheel hub

          Maximum   1” (2.5 cm)

C) Length Overall

          Maximum   72” (182.5 cm)

D) Wheelbase (front to back axle measurement)

          Minimum    36” (91.5)

E) Ground Clearance

          Minimum    3” (7.6 cm)

F) Body Overhang (front and rear)

          Maximum  12” (30.5 cm)

G) Seat or Seat pad height (above the center of the axles)

          Maximum   5” (12.7 cm)

          (keep the center of gravity as low as possible!)

 2) Mandatory Car Dimensions (continued):

 3) Gravity is the only form of mode power allowed.

 4) Cars must run on four wheels - two front and two rear. All four wheels must touch the ground at all times when racing.

 5) The floorboard of the racer must be made of 5/8" (19mm) plywood or of materials that provides equivalent structural support. Particleboard is NOT acceptable.

 6) Feet must be facing forward when driver is in racing position.

 7) Seat belts are recommended but not required

 8) A properly fitting helmet must be worn. CSPC approved bicycle helmets are the minimum with DOT approved full-face protection preferred.

 9) Drivers must wear long sleeves, long pants, shoes and helmet during competition. Eye protection, elbow and knee pads are recommended.

 10) Foot-operated brakes only- NO hand brakes & NO bicycle caliper brakes. Brakes must be capable of stopping the car in a short straight line, with no damage to the road surface.

11) Steering must incorporate a steering wheel of some sort (circular, or similar design) fastened to a steel shaft.  The steering linkage provided in the Official Derby kit is required.

 12) Wrist or Forearm straps are recommended to prevent hands form extending out of the car in the event of a rollover.

 13) A backrest capable of restraining any sudden backward movement is mandatory.

 14) A roll bar is recommended but not mandatory

 15) The weight of the car including driver must not exceed 175 lbs.

 16) Racers must be at least 6 years old and no older than 14 years as of the day of the race, Sat., Oct. 4, 2008

 17) There will be no "Kit Cars" (Derby racers purchased in kit form from Akron Ohio, etc.) permitted to race. This Derby is for home-built racers only.  Use of all the material included in the Official Derby kit is required

 18) All major components must be attached with through bolts, not screws.

 19) Turnbuckles must be safety wired or otherwise secured to prevent them from vibrating loose.

 20) Each car must display its assigned number clearly on both sides of the car body.

 21) No car shall display advertising or sponsorship not authorized by the association.  Cars are required to be painted in the color(s) requested by the sponsor.

 22) All CARS and DRIVERS must pass Brisbane Derby’s official safety inspection. 

  23)  Racers will be required to shake hands with opponent at the end of each heat.

 RACING RULES AND REGULATIONS

Race Marshaling:

 1. Cars will compete on a head to head basis in a double elimination format. If time permits, cars eliminated from the “Winner’s Bracket” will then be assigned to a single elimination formatted “Second Chance” bracket. 

 2. Each car is given one race in each of the two lanes.  A third race will take place in the event of a tie. Lane assignment for the third race will be decided by a coin toss. 

 3.  Racers must stay in there own lane while racing.  If a driver crosses over the center line into their competitions lane, that driver will be disqualified from that heat. 

 4. If time allows, additional races may be run however the results of these races will not be used in determining final standings.

 Multiple Drivers:

Where a car has more than one driver, the following rules apply:

 1. The CAR will run the same number of races as each of the other cars, just as though it had one driver. The various drivers will take turns driving.

 2. Participation trophies/awards will be presented to each registered drivers.

 3.  Each driver must be present for their assigned race times.  Races will not be postponed of rescheduled due to a driver not being present 

 Re-Races:

Re-races will be considered for the following reasons

 1. Interference from spectators, obstacles or other cars entering your lane etc.

 2. Judges rule race to be a tie

 3. A false start as deemed by the starting officials

 4. An emergency stoppage of the race

 Re-races will not be considered for the following reasons

 1. Mechanical breakdown of own car

 2. Inadvertent or intentional braking (not due to interference)

 3. Car leaving own lane (not caused by interference)

 4. Car striking cones, hay bales (not caused by interference)

 5. Weather conditions

 6. General track conditions (manhole covers, surface conditions (etc.)

 In all cases, re-races will be determined by consensus of the committee and may be denied for such reasons as time restrictions etc. In such cases, the committee may opt to use the single race results to determine a winner

 False Starts and Emergencies:

·  Starting officials will determine if a false start has occurred.

 ·  RACE OFFICIALS and/or SPOTTERS will determine emergencies along the racetrack.

 In both cases, all drivers will likely be instructed to stop immediately. RACE OFFICIALS and/or SPOTTERS will give the command ‘BRAKE’ repeatedly and will gesture with BOTH HANDS

PALMS DOWN. At this command, all drivers must stop their cars immediately. Re-races will be determined as necessary.

Braking At Finish Line:

1. Brakes must be applied as soon as possible after the car has crossed the finish line.

 2. Cars must stop in a STRAIGHT LINE without fishtailing or spinning.

 3. Hay bales are NOT to be deliberately hit.

 4. If braking is deemed by finish line officials to be inadequate or unsafe, the car will not be allowed to race until all appropriate adjustments to car or driver have been made.

 Repairs and Maintenance:

Repairs necessary due to damage during the race must be made in order to make the car operable and safe. The marshaling system allows for postponing heats while repairs are performed.

Enhancements to the car over and above necessary repairs are NOT permitted. Wheel may be lubricated, if desired, only between heats.

 Questions and Concerns:

All questions and concerns regarding the race will be dealt with through the officials at the information booth at the corner of San Francisco St. and Plumas Ave.

Decisions regarding controversial matters will be made by a minimum of three (3) members of the Official Race Committee. The Official Race Committee may elect to reserve final decisions until after race day.  Decisions made by the Official Race Committee are final. 

 UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES are the course officials, operating the starting system at the top or course marshals at the bottom of the hill, to be approached by drivers or drivers’ representatives to discuss results.

 Please remember that the goal of the Brisbane Derby is to have fun!