General rules

1. This is a fun event. Any person taking it too seriously will be ridiculed and shunned.
2. Teams are welcome to wear racing suits, fireproof overalls, helmets, goggles etc., but do so at the risk of being laughed at.
3. Sponsorship logos, racing stickers and car names are encouraged but no obscenities please.
4. Wings for down force, spoilers, air dams and other appendages are all permitted so long as they fit within the maximum dimensions of the racer. They probably won’t do any good but we can all have a good giggle at them.
5. The judges’ decision is final although bribes are greatly received!

Modified Class Racer

This class is for the all out honor of having the fastest international Mini rocker cover, that isn’t attached to a Mini engine. Creativity for speed and design is welcomed, but rules are rules. The following rules are the requirements that are checked at pre-race inspection. Other than these rules, it’s open to your creativity and abilities.

1. All ages. Kids to great great grandparents.
2. Body: Begin with a stock or aftermarket A series Mini rocker cover. Modifying and decorating is open and encouraged as long as it is still recognizable as a Mini rocker cover.
3. Wheels: 4 wheels are required and all 4 must be in contact with the track during the race unless the racer catches air due to the track conditions. Wheel design and material is open. Maximum wheel diameter is 5 inches.
4. Wheel bearings: Open. Lubricants are open.
5. Axles: Open.
6. Gravity is the only power source. There can not be anything mechanical that would affect the speed.
7. Maximum dimensions and weight:
Length – 14 inches (35.56 cm)
Width – 8 inches (20.32 cm)
Height – 8 inches (20.32 cm)
Weight – 8 pounds (3.628 kg)

Kid's Class Racer

This class is designed for kids to learn how to build a racer, be creative, and have fun racing other kids. The rules were created to keep all of the racers closely competitive while allowing the kids to be the builders with minimal adult help. The following rules are the requirements that are checked at pre-race inspection. If the racer looks to have too much adult involvement or does not meet the following rules, it is up to the judges to move the racer to the Modified Class for consideration. Note, the rules are as basic as putting a rocker cover on top of a very small skateboard. The extent of the rules is to keep it that basic and equal.

1. Age: 12 and under at the time of the race.
2. Tools: No tools beyond standard hand tools, saws, and drills can be used. No welding or machining.
3. Body: Begin with a stock type steel A series Mini rocker cover. Modifying and decorating is open and encouraged as long as it is still recognizable as a Mini rocker cover.
4. Wheels: 4 stock skateboard or roller skate wheels made of urethane or rubber. Maximum diameter 2 ½” (65 mm). Minimum width 1.18” (30 mm). The wheels can not be modified or worn to reduce the width touching the track surface. All 4 wheels must touch the track during the race unless the racer catches air due to the track conditions.
5. Wheel bearings: Steel ball bearings only. If the bearings are in question, be prepared to remove the dust covers to show them for inspection. Lubricants are open.
6. Axles: Stock skateboard or roller skate trucks. The only modification allowed would be to do what is needed to lock the truck from moving, if so desired.
7. Gravity is the only power source. There can not be anything mechanical that would affect the speed.
8. Maximum dimensions and weight:
Length – 14 inches (35.56 cm)
Width – 8 inches (20.32 cm)
Height – 8 inches (20.32 cm)
Weight – 7 pounds (3.175 kg)
 

The Race
1. There will be heats of 2 Racers per heat with the best of 3 races deciding the heat winner.
2. The first Racer to cross the finish line is the winner. If neither Racer makes it to the finish, the one going the furthest distance wins that race.
3. Any Racer crossing a lane marker shall lose that race
4. Winning Racers will advance to the next round until all are eliminated except one, which becomes the outright winner.
5. Any protest must be lodged with the judges who will remind you of General Rule #1.

Building a Kid's Racer
(Can also be used to build a Modified Racer)

Step 1. After printing and cutting out the template, choose the material you want to use as the base. This example shows 1" x 4" pine (actual size .75" x 3.5". Silly they sell it as a 1" x 4"). Using a thick board allows you to countersink the rocker cover mounting bolts as they will be mounted under the skateboard trucks. Trace the template outline on to the base. Cut the piece of wood or whatever you want to use as your base.

Step 2. Get either new or used skateboard trucks and wheels. The Kid's rules also allow roller skate trucks and wheels. Pictured is a used skateboard that was purchased from Facebook Marketplace for $5. We bought another one for $3, so your racer can be done very cheap. Note the trucks come in different widths. They are all legal in the Kid's and Modified Classes, but they will make a difference on how they mount in/under your rocker cover. With these 7.5" trucks, the wheels will clear the cover body without any modifications.

Step 3. Tape the template on the wooden base. Now it's time to figure out the wheel base that you want. Place the trucks along the center of the template. Set the rocker cover on top of the trucks, lining the front and rear of the cover over the base. Slide the trucks on the template to a position you like. Remove the cover, leaving the trucks.

 Step 4. Before marking the holes, use a straight edge (a piece of paper can be used) to line up the trucks. Mark the outer two holes on each truck.

Step 5. Use an awl or any pointed object to punch the center of the truck holes and the rocker cover mounting bolt holes.

Step 6.  Drill the holes. Note, the bolts for the rocker cover mount are 5/16" x 24".   For this example, we used 1 1/4" long bolts. Countersink the cover mount holes on the truck mounting side with either a bigger drill bit or use a wood chisel. It doesn't have to be pretty as the trucks will cover them.

Step 7. Mount the trucks with the two outer bolts on each. Tighten firmly, but loose enough that you can still slightly move them for alignment. Use your straight edge again and line up the trucks. Tighten the bolts and check the alignment again. Once tight and aligned, drill the other truck holes. Put in the final truck bolts and tighten. Remember that any time you remove the trucks that you will need to re-align them before tightening completely.

 Here it is, your Kid's racer base made with minimal tools and money!

Step 8. The base will fit inside your cover with the mounting bolts going up through the cover holes. You can adjust your cover height with spacers/washers on the cover bolts or be creative.

Now it's ready to paint, decorate, and decide if you want to change the wheels and/or bearings. The rules above have the wheel and bearing requirements.

Add weight if you would like. There is plenty of room to mount it under the base, between the trucks. The total weight for the Kid's class is 7 lbs., and 8 lbs. for the Modified class. Is heavier faster?

Ready to race, minus the kid's personal touches. This was painted with Rust-Oleum primer and paint from aerosol cans (cheap). The wheels (30 mm) and steel bearings were bought off of Ebay for about $25.

Let's Go Racing!

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