26 Sep

Race Guidelines

As proclaimed by Erasmus P. Kitty.

Facts, Figures, and Counsel Section for Railcar Guidelines and Specifications, etcetera

Requisite Forms

  • SIGN-UP!
    ITEM OF IMPORT: Race Slots are NOW CLOSED.
  • CONTACT
    Contact Us to inquire about more information if necessary.

Manifestation of Teams

  • PARTICIPATION
    Racers and builders are one. Those who would ascend a contraption upon the rails to compete shall too be the builders of said vehicle.
  • TEAM MATES
    Teams are comprised of one to four individuals who may operate a vehicle during a race. All builders of a team are not required to race as well. A team may be comprised of multiple builders for which between 1 to 4 of that building crew actually race the vehicle.
  • AGE
    Preferably, participants are older than 18. Exceptions allowed in advance within reason.
  • PANACHE
    Race teams or individuals are encouraged to embody a theme in contraption and dress, but are NOT required to do so. Enhanced style and thematic cohesiveness are, however, highly influential for certain categories (see MYRIAD STYLE below). While we embrace our turn-of-last-century railroad past, no era or theme is imposed upon participants. Your creative style is king!
  • DISCUSS
    Google Groups iconTeams are encouraged to join the Google Groups’ Hand Car Regatta Builders Guild for up-to-minute news and discussions among the moxie makers involved.

Vehicular Specifications

  • HUMAN-POWERED
    Rail-bound vehicles for competition shall be human-powered. Contraptions with certain methods of mechanical assist may be acceptable in limited categories to be determined on a case-by-case basis.
    NOTE: Strange mechanical notions and cleverness are more important here. A machine with some assist designed to game the system for a speed win is likely frowned upon in favor of a bizarre creation that glorifies the muse and tickles the fancy.
  • MYRIAD STYLE
    Speed is not necessarily of utmost value in a Handcar Regatta race. Ostentation, bewilderment, whimsy, beauty, ridiculousness, and capturing the fancy of a seven-year-old girl are all reasons to build calamitous contraptions upon the rails (see the Darling Award).
  • SAFETY
    All mechanisms shall be subject to rigorous inspection prior to racing for determining the safe passage of both racers and spectators. Vehicles found unfit for safe racing shall be summarily rejected. DO NOT attempt to build any contraption that has not been tested on standard tracks beforehand. Please note that live tracks are dangerous and illegal for individual use for any reason. See the SMART section at the bottom of this page for more information. You have been warned.

Race Prize Categories

  • TO BE DETERMINED…
  • EXAMPLES
    Last year’s Handcar Regatta prize categories are recounted herein.

Important Rail Specs and Warnings

1 and a half inch vertical guide wheel clearance Outer track obstructions and penny-sized gap
Horizontal view detail of outer track obstructions Large bolts and nuts at some track ends

Measurements:

62″ outer rail edge*
56 1/2″ inner rail edge*
2 3/4″ wide rail surface
1 1/2″ index vertical clearance (meaning guide wheels should not exceed 1 1/2″ in the lip that overhangs and keeps the wheel on track, click on photo #1)
* approximate within 3/4″ variation, give or take

WARNING:
Recent track improvements have led to application of grounding wires and other soldered metal parts that MAY CAUSE PROBLEMS WITH NON-STANDARD INDEX GUIDE WHEELS, especially wheels with outer guides (click on photos #2 and #3). Avoid outer guide wheels!

SMART logo See more information about rail safety and the wisdom of rail transit from our esteemed ally: SMART (Sonoma Marin Area Rail Transit)

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