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[doug hodder]

Just a reminder for everyone that the IRG Summer Nationals Teardrop Derby Races will be one of the major events for the IRG in '10.  It was a big hit last time, and a lot of fun!  As of this writing everyone has 7 months to get something built.  It doesn't need to be high tech, or all tricked out, how labor intensive you make it is up to you.  A basic 3 wheeled thing works, just as long as it conforms to the rules.  Wild themes are heartily encouraged.  There is a lot of between team razzing, general yucks etc...

Rules are:

1. must have 3 wheels only
2. single wheel must go down track first
3. cannot weigh more than 16 oz.  An official digital scale will be available.
4. must fit inside a 4" x 8"  box, which will be checked with a standard, same as last time
5. no side wheels to guide the racer, but wire whiskers or guides are allowed, still must fit inside box
6.gravity power only
7. if it ran in '08, the same racer can't be run in '10,  the point is to encourage people to at least try to build something different. SEE RULE 8
8. RACERS THAT RAN IN 08 WILL BE ALLOWED TO RUN AGAIN. THIS IS DONE TO ENCOURAGE THOSE THAT MAYBE BUILT ONE BEFORE TO DOCTOR IT UP AND RACE IT AGAIN. CHANGED 3/21/10 

Everyone builds or decorates their real trailers with a lot of different ideas and this is basically the same thing.  It's not all that hard to do, you can pick up wheels at just about any crafts/ hobby shop or scrounge them from any toy.  Most importantly, it's all in fun!  Prizes will probably be nothing more than bragging rights, or a cheesy wooden plaque with the award written on with felt pen, certainly something to mount on the wall.  

Like I said, it was a great time in '08, I'm sure this one will be as well.  Looking forward to all sorts of creative ideas and participants....see ya at the track!  Doug

[DougH]

I love the banners at the bottom of your post. Some bumper stickers of those would be great conversation starters    Time to start thinking about a design if I want to advance past the semi finals this time!

[Ron Dickey]

Doug,

Can you share some photo's of ones that folks have used in the past on and off the track. Or the ones you have.

Any advise as to if weights should be added or foils. You might show the winners and the ones that did not make it down.

Ron D.

[doug hodder]

Ron...check above in the Gallery.  There are U tubes on the IRG tear races and plenty of pics of them can be seen.  If you make a hollow body with a hole in the bottom, you can pour sand in to get it up to weight and then tape over the hole, others used stick on weights.  I don't have any pics of the event as I was participating in it and not photographing. 

As a side note....we will also need a volunteer to put together the "ladder" board to post results to determine the run offs, or at least be the "official recording" person. The board can't be drawn up till all the entrants are counted, so will have to be done on location.  Not a big deal...a felt pen and a piece of poster board or paper.  This volunteer will tell us who is up next so we don't kill time waiting. 

Also a great job for someone with a youngster who isn't racing is to be the "official" track maintenance person.  They will be responsible for cleaning the track when necessary as dirt, parts and other debris will build up.  An "official" whisk broom will be supplied.

As last time...3 races will be run in each heat.  Best of 3 advances to the next level.  There will be plenty of opportunities to have grudge matches, and impromptu racing.  Doug

[Dean]

Was able to upload Nitetimes '08 race video to the database today...

More details...

Nitetimes Full Version of the '08 Race

(This is a large file & takes some time to load)

2008 IRG Summer Nationals Results
Overall Winner....Matt "Team Beep Beep"
2nd Place....Lee "Team Tearminator"
Div. B Winner....Jerome Guffey "Team Guffspeed"
Shortest Distance....Lori Smith "Team Flannel"
Best Crash...."Team Cheese" Lost 2 slices of swiss on the run and crashed
Fastest built on site John Alden "Team 5 Wide"
Peoples Choice...."Team Bondage Barbie"
Best Exhibition Tear....Dan Hazard "Team Hazard" H2o and air pressure
Longest distance award....Heikki "Team Finn" from Finland

Race Of The Day

With their Internet Grudge Match knotted even at one win each and headed for sure victory...
Team Finn eats the gaurdrail just inches from the "Finnish-Line"
as Pro Handyman blasts by for the win at the line and takes the match

[doug hodder]

ANYONE WANTING TO PARTICIPATE THAT DID IN '08 PLEASE SEE THE FIRST POST.  PREVIOUSLY RUN RACERS WILL BE ABLE TO RUN AGAIN AS OF 3/21/10.  ALL OTHER RULES STILL APPLY.  Doug

[Dean]

Pen and poster board will be provided for the event schedule.  See the Teardrop Nanny.
TDN