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Next Location?
We ran the event recently in an 18,000 sq ft Building
at TRUCKFEST devoted to the SILVERLINE Powertool Drag Race event and it
was stacked with great things to do and see - A Dragster
fresh from Santa Pod, Roboteers from Robot Wars (Razer and more), Warhead
from Battlebots plus all the other great stuff at Truckfest - please watch
this space to see where and when the next PTDR event will be held.
  
Rules
1. GENERAL IDEA
Finish your machine before you arrive. Stay away from the beer. Go faster
than everyone else. Don't Crash. Win prizes, but most important, entertain
the crowd and have fun.
2. RACING CLASSES
Machines in all classes are based on hand-held power tools. A hand held
power tool is a machine intended for handheld operation by one individual.
A machine designed to be used primarily on a stationary mount, or rolled
on wheels, or used by a group of people is not a hand tool for the purposes
of this event. Hand tools could be electric (240 AC), petrol or pneumatic.
Examples of hand tools are machines like belt sanders, angle grinders,
circular saws, drills, chainsaws and strimmers. Examples of things that
are NOT hand tools are things like lawnmowers, floor sanders, generators
and bench grinders. The final decision over whether or not a machine has
been based on a hand-held power tool rests solely with the judges. The
judges have the absolute right to refuse any machine entry on the day
if they consider that it has not been based on a hand-held power tool.
If you have any doubts whatsoever, please contact us with your specification
for a definitive answer.
Hand tools used in the drag races can run on a variety of power sources,
provided by either on-board or external sources. For external power sources,
we will provide 13 amps at 240V AC per lane. For pneumatic the entrant
must provide their own air.
AC electrical cords will be on site, 75' long per lane, originating at
the starting line. They will be fitted with 3 way In-line mains connectors,
female at the tool end. Each entrant will need to fit the male end connector
to the tool cable, which needs to be only 300mm long. Connectors are available
from, R.S. Components (Part no. 531-431), DIY stores, lawn mower distributors,
etc. Note: check out the R.S. part online and make sure it’s the
right one (3-way, in-line white or black).
Each entrant will be responsible for "coiling" the cord on the
ground or laying it along side the track for their run. No spools or cord
guides will be allowed. Tangles or poor cord feed is the responsibility
of each entrant and machines will not be allowed to run again if the feed
interferes with the time, the judges decision is final in this regard.
Gaffer tape will be provided so that each entrant can tape the connector
together at the tool end.
Disconnection happens when the tool reaches the end of the strip and pulls
the plug out! Classes are detailed below . . . .
3. THE TRACK
The drag strip is 75' (22.8m) of reasonably flat wooden track. There
will be another 50 feet (15.2m) or so to slow down with added blankets
and futons to help with the deceleration of the faster entries. Each lane
for the ridden class will be 10' (3m) wide with a six foot high barrier
wall on the outside to keep you and your machine out of the audience.
Machines in the un-ridden classes will run on parallel wood tracks 1
foot (305mm) wide with 4” X 2” (102mm X 51mm) rails on either
side. We will make every effort to maintain the straightness and accuracy
of this track, but expect some variation and bumps at the joints.
We will have a proper ‘magic eye’ timing system which will
display elapsed time over the distance for both contenders. If this should
fail we will have a back up system of good old fashioned stop watches.
Decisions over the times are the final say of the judges and are not open
to argument. Top speed is announced over the P.A. system. A count down
from the crowd will start each race, followed by much jumping up and down
(with enthusiasm) by the contenders.
4. THE PITS
The pit area will have 240 volt power supply and some ‘Silverline
tools’ available; however we suggest you bring what you think you
will need. If you want a table to work on, you should probably bring one.
We will have some pit tables on site but this will be on a first come,
first served basis. There’s always floor space available if you
want to rough it.
5. ENTRY FEES
Entry fees for the next event will be published once we have sorted the
venue. Entry fee for racing is paid in advance to RobotsRus Ltd.
6. PRIZES
Each class will be awarded prizes for first, second and right down to
third place. Prizes are supplied by the event sponsors Silverline Tools
of Yeovil (www.silverlinetools.com). Lots of very good quality tools up
for grabs… probably to replace the ones you’ve just wrecked!
Special Mystery Prizes will be awarded by special mystery judges for
the following:
• Most impressive engineering
• Most pathetic engineering
• Most spectacular crash
• Machine most likely to impress the girls
View the Power Tool Drag Race site USA
Please view the original Power
Tool Drag Race site based in the USA to see video and photos
to get a better idea of how to do it - Note: the rules have been modified
for the UK. You can download and view video and pictures of maniacs in action
on this site - get your creative juices flowing!
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Event Classes: |
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Super Stock machines
must run in their stock (off-the-shelf) configuration with original
blades, bits, motors etc. with the original drive configuration
of the tool directly transferring the power of the tool to the
ground WITHOUT additional wheels, belts, spikes, or other added
drive strategies. Entrants can add balancing, stabilizing and
/ or guide wheels and bars, but these must attach DIRECTLY to
the existing frame of the tool. You can NOT make a new independent
frame and bolt the tool into or onto a new structure (i.e. a
dragster like extension out the front of a circular saw is not
allowed and will put you in the modified class). Axles are allowed
to the point necessary to provide a rotation point for the wheels.
This is intended as the easy class - the class where an off-the-shelf
piece-of-junk belt sander or circular saw could take home the
prize. If you have any doubts whatsoever over your machine,
please contact us with your queries or specification for a definitive
answer. As above, the judges decision is final and if you do
not clarify your design you may find yourself placed in the
modified class on the day. |
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Modified machines are
un-ridden machines of open design. Custom frames, drives, wheels,
of all types expected. Multiple motors and power types are Okay,
but all “motors” must have originated in a hand
power tool, (off-the-shelf). Be honest. If you are uncertain
about the definition of a hand-held power tool, see above. No
vehicles built from Radio Controlled cars will be allowed, because
they are boring. |
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The Funny Car class
is for custom fabricated machines that carry one or more rider(s)
down the track, using one or more motors that originated in
a hand-held power tool as described above. You are free to develop
any type of frame, drive system, seating posture you like. You
can start from an existing "vehicle" and add the hand
tool motor or start from scratch. The drive from tool to ground
can be direct via the tool bit, or via a custom gear, sprocket,
axle or tyre etc. system. Note: There must be no damage to the
concrete flooring. |
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