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As promised, below are the rules for the Off-Road RC Racing competition to
be held at BricksWest 2003.
--
David Schilling
Off-Road RC Racing Competition
Official Rules
===================================
Objective:
Before the competition, competitors will design and build an RC off-road
racer (using LEGO set #8475, plus any additional LEGO) capable of
transferring an object. At the competition each competitor will control
their racer using the radio control unit to complete as many laps as
possible in the five minute time limit. On each lap the vehicle must pick up
a Lego 'barbell' at one location, and drop it off at a second location.
Scoring:
The racer that has traveled furthest will be the winner. This will be
determined by how many full and partial laps they have completed, minus any
penalties they've accumulated. A full lap is one which results in the
successful transfer of a Lego barbell from the numbered pickup location to
the numbered drop-off location. The track will be divided into 10 sections.
A partial lap will be how many such sections the vehicle is past the
starting line. (*1) Penalties are measured in sections as well. See the next
section.
Penalties:
Any racer that completely leaves the track will receive a penalty point each
time they leave. They must return to the track within the same section that
they left it, or receive two additional penalty points for each section of
the track that they skipped. When the time limit is done, each penalty point
will result in the racer being moved back one section of the track.
Additional penalties may be given by the judges for unsportsmanlike conduct.
At the five minute time-limit, a signal will be given by the judges. All
racers must come to a full and complete stop immediately. Any racer still
moving after the signal will be assigned additional penalty points, or may
be disqualified.
Disqualifying:
A racer that attempts to transfer more than a single barbell on any lap will
be disqualified. A racer that attempts to damage another racer will also be
disqualified.
Pit Stops:
If a vehicle becomes damaged, the competitor may make quick fixes, but the
clock will continue running. The vehicle must be returned to the same
location it was picked up from. Leaving their radio controller behind, the
competitor must carefully walk to the vehicle, not interfering with other
vehicles or damaging the track/obstacles. If a vehicle leaves the track, the
preferred method of returning it to the track is to drive it back via radio
control. If this isn't possible, or if the vehicle ends up on its side, the
competitor may leave their radio controller behind, walk to their vehicle,
and place it back on the track. (*2) In both cases, the competitor must
carefully walk back to their radio controller before they may operate their
vehicle again.
Track Description:
The track will be indoors. Its minimum width will be two feet, its maximum
width will be around four feet. The track will have hills, curves, loose
gravel (Lego), ruts, and other obstacles. It will be visually divided into
ten sections. The edge of the track will be marked with masking tape in
places that it isn't otherwise obvious where the edge is. The starting line
will be next to the 'drop-off' zones. Half way around the track will be the
pick-up zones. Each pick-up and drop-off zone will be a partially enclosed
(3 walls) area. Each such zone will have a clearly visible number that
corresponds to a channel number. Racers are meant to retrieve and drop off
their barbells from the zone corresponding to their channel number.
Barbell Description:
The 'barbell' is a set of technic beams connected as shown in this picture:
(http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/David/Misc/Competition/barbell.gif).
There will be a different colour for each racer.
Building Rules:
Only unmodified LEGO pieces, using standard building practices (no gluing,
etc.) may be used for the racers. Each racer may use only on a single copy
of the transmitter and receiver from the set #8475, "Remote Controlled Race
Buggy (27 MHz)" by LEGO Systems, Inc. But any other additional LEGO may be
used. This set will need to be modified to accommodate the picking up and
dropping off of the barbells using the auxiliary output. Any other
modifications are also welcome. Safe and courteous building only: No arcing
or electromagnetic interference with other vehicles' radio controls will be
permitted.
The maximum width of a racer is 10 inches. (*3)
Competition Order:
Racers will be assigned a starting order, and a 'channel number'. Each race
will involve three vehicles. Depending on the number of entries, each racer
will have two opportunities to run. The better of the two trials will be
considered their standing.
The winner of each individual race will receive a small, token prize. The
overall first and second place winners will receive an additional prize.
Notes:
======
*1 - Note that the racer needs to successfully transfer the barbell to the
drop-off zone for a lap to count. If a barbell isn't completely in the
drop-off zone by the end of the time limit, the lap doesn't count as a full
lap. In the worst case, if a racer doesn't attempt to transfer any barbells
at all, their score will simply be the section number (up to 10) that they
end up on, no matter how many times they've driven around the track.
*2 - This might happen, for instance, if the racer manages to go over the
sides, fall off a hill (or table), etc.
*3 - Keeping the length short will also help in having a small turning radius.
Building Hints:
===============
1) Make angled bumpers to help you get into the box to pick up barbells.
2) Consider guards around the wheels.
3) Build a sturdier steering mechanism; if you build exactly what's in the
instructions, the car will often loose their front wheels in minor impacts.
4) Consider different mechanisms for picking up the barbell. A shovel-like
scoop might work, but chances are it will loose the barbell over rough
terrain. A claw might work better.
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