These are the current rules for the Polymer Derby held by ZeroThousand High
Speed Engineering Labs in Seattle. If you would like a more general look at
Polymer Derby, and ideas to plan yourt own go here.
You are heartily invited to attend an afternoon of short
development curve engineering and gravity-driven racing, at the ZK indoor proving
grounds and development facilities, in the dark heart of Seattle's Georgetown district.
4750 Airport way South
It's a big orange cinderblock cube cross from Fedex, 1 mile south of the
Tully's roasting plant on Airport way
Over the course of several hours, you and your cohorts will be granted carte
blanche access to our coveted trove of polymer prototyping media (Legos)
with the goal of creating the absolutely badassest wheeled conveyance for
your Lego pilot. The prototypes will have open access to the
final test course (a small plywood quarter-pipe, cement floor, low pile carpet)
throughout the development process, allowing continuous refinement, which
will culminate in the day's end races.
The goals of Polymer Derby:
1) Brains!: Using a limited span of design options, optimize your creation to best
meet the victory requirements. DIY problem solving, group synergy, and participant empowerment are
fundamental. We strongly believe that most people are far more creative and
capable than they have opportunities to explore in daily life- here's a
chance let that manifest!
2) Ludibriums!: Be goofy and have fun. Design and interact
with this in mind. Mad props will be given to individuals and teams that
push the limits of design feasibility, consensus aesthetics, and assumed
mechanical execution, as well as not taking any of this too seriously.
Vehicles may be entered by individuals, or people acting as a team.
All vehicles must be made solely of Legos.
Each vehicle must include a pilot (humanoid, or animal), and an arguably feasible control
interface (steering wheel, lever, computer console, brain hose, etc.)
Only stock lego pieces can be used in the drive train assembly.
(modified lego pieces are welcome as aesthetic elements, but not allowed in
any of the wheel/axle/chassis mount etc.)
Even though they come from official lego sets, the battery powered, and
pull-back motors are not allowed.
No lubricants or bearings are allowed. We don't want our bricks gunked
up, and the whole point is to maximize the performance of STOCK LEGO PARTS!
All vehicles must be launched from a dead standstill at thetop of the ramp
and GENTLY nudged into motion. If it is determined that a designer's
launching technique is too vigorous, that race will be repeated.
-Once finals have begun, no further design changes can be made. Only
basic repair of damage incurred during handling/racing of model is allowed.
Victors will be determined by total distance traveled, measured from the
terminal edge of the launch ramp to the vehicle's rearmost wheel/starting
point, using the best of three attempts/races per car.
In the case of a tie, the winner will be assessed based on coolness,
durability, originality, and any other morass of subjective factors deemed
relevant by our judges.
Race judges/arbiters will be available throughout the design process to
consult regarding the legality of any particular factor. Private
consultations in a secure area are also available if a designer is concerned
about theft of crucial intellectual property, though construction and
testing will be conducted in the common area.
ZK Labs has an ample supply of crucial parts (wheels, axles, pilots) as
well as plenty of other pieces for all but the most absurdly ambitious
developers.
Participants are welcome to bring their own lego pieces, as a
supplementary or substitute source of materials, though we can't guarantee
their return if you choose to combine them with our house supply. Models
constructed entirely of the owner's pieces will not be commandeered, as much
as we'd like to.
In addition to the standard race format, demolition, stunt, and enduro races
may be conducted as exhibition matches, time and space allowing.
Prizes and snacks will be provided, and a small donation of legos,
whiskey, or cash to
augment our ability to continue such endeavors would be greatly appreciated,
though by no means required.
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