<monster truck announcer voice>
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The cars are truly Minis at only 5 ounces! (WHAT??!? A good beer is at least 12!!) This is a Pinewood Derby-style event starring wooden MINI kits and 32 feet of hardwood-track excitement! The kits will be available at Check-In so you can get started with aesthetic prep for the Drag Queen Car Show!


BUT… there are a few rules:

• The cars must be the approved kit supplied by PittStop MINI
• The maximum weight for each car is 5 ounces.
• The stock, unaltered wheels and axles must be used
• The car must retain a Mini Cooper shape
• The car must run on our ex-BSA Pinewood Derby track

Cost is just $15 for each car. Registration will be handled through NAM. The fee includes a pre-cut car kit (further modification is encouraged!), your registration in both the racing and show events, chances to win some really GREAT prizes, the instructions and rule sheet (available for download here), and a REALLY great time!

Check-in/Assembly opens at 10:00am. Race-entrant deadline and race start is at 11:00am.

HURRY, there are only 150 cars available and it's first-come, first-served!

Drag Race and Drag Queen Car Show places:<monster truck announcer voice>

 

this should be a hoot

 

I just got chills down my spine, dejavue, remembering that fateful day my weeks of preparation, sanding, dad melting down lead fish weights, painting my entry navy blue with yellow stipes, and finally . . . . losing by a BUNCH! I didn't make it past the first heat. <signs>

But years have passed, I've shaken that insecure feeling, and maybe I can step back up to such an event. I no longer care if I lose or what anyone thinks my entry looks like anymore.

Sounds like a fun event. Now to start looking for some good lightweight vinyl for decal material.

edit: I just read in the rules that booing may be permitted. I just don't know now. I may need to have a few sessions with a shrink.

 

Wow...

Sounds like fun, but I wouldn't want to be one of the guys that have to cut all those ca....

Oh Damn, nevermind!

 

ok so where do we sign up!!!!!!

 

The intro post says you can sign up when signing in at registration. Bring yer $15.

 

Registration/payment will be handled through the MOTD Event Planner/NAM store once it opens for all of MOTD. You will pick up your car kits when you check in upon your arrival at Fontana.

We expect this to be a LOT of fun! Don't be surprised if some folks bring their "A" game! Of course, win or lose, everyone who participates will have a cool MINI memento to take home with them - and we're also planning for some prizes that don't require you to place in either contest.

 

Steve, you're NOT getting out of helping me make the car "blanks"!

I know Colin is bringing his "A" game, his original Mini (made from this kit and no cheating!) showed well against his son's real Pinewood Derby car, and he's got some tricks up his sleeve! Maybe there's another thread idea, cheats and tricks for the wooden Mini racers!!

My Dremel is getting warmed up for my "show and go" entry... still deciding on a colour...

Don't worry, we'll only boo in a veddy polite mannah... "we're not booing at you, we're booing with you!"

 

any way we can get the kits ahead of time to paint them up nice and such? my car is gonna be jammed with clothes, tent and dogs, that I wont have room for hyper blue paint!

 

We've discussed this at length. At this point, we've agreed that this way will put everyone at an equal disadvantage. Most all of us are traveling a good distance in MINIs with limited cargo space.

When we considered this, there were numerous issues - the greatest of which is simply our time to prepare the kits and packaging/shipping them. Of course, we would have to charge additional for shipping.

At this moment (for this year, anyhow) the answer is no. But, we'll continue to gauge feedback. Bear in mind, however, that registration will be opening soon, so there isn't much time for us to change course - and we won't be changing anything that involves money after registration opens.

 

Oh, BTW, a bottle of MINI touch-up paint isn't even as big as a tube of toothpaste!

 

thats kinda what I figured, but I thought I'd ask. (I was going to try and mod it into a cabrio with the top down, probably against the rules anyway)

 

Not necessarily... just mind the weight (HINT: if it's too light, it won't make it to the end of the track)!

 

What time Saturday?

 

The event will be held Saturday morning. We will open the Adventure Center at 9:00am for car assembly and design.

You are welcome (and encouraged) to begin work on your car as soon as you get it, but for those who don't bring their own supplies we will provide limited tools and design supplies at the Adventure Center.

Race entrants must be checked-in by 10:30am. Drag Queen Car Show entrants must be checked-in by 12:30pm. We plan to finish all racing and judging by 1:30pm.

Entrants are not required to stay for the duration of the event, however, you will miss out on not only the excitement, but the chance to win some of the other prizes if you are not present.

 

Thanks! A couple more questions if you don't mind:
What is the overall length of the block?
What is the wheelbase or do you attach the wheels yourself?
Does the block come pretty rough? Unsanded?
What is the starting weight of the kit?

I'm already formulating plans as you may guess.

 

The blocks will be in a rough mini shape, notched for axles. The kit comes with wheels and axles detached, and is not painted, just plain ol' pine wood. The weight varies - some blocks are more dense than others, so bring weight! If you attach the wheels, paint it white, and do nothing else, it'll look like this:



There will be mostly Mini S's (with spoiler, as above), but some will be made as Coopers (no spoiler). You can certainly cut the spoiler off! Heck, cut the roof off and make a MCSC or MCC! The rules DO state it must retain a Mini shape. Flat skateboards or wedges will be disqualified. And booed!

For inspiration and measurements, I also submit the following, done with a quick application of the Dremel, a little custom-mixed spray paint (Astro Black is fun to replicate!) and some time:







Hope that helps! And no, that won't be my entry, I've got OTHER plans (and finer grit sandpaper!!)

 

Also, as referenced in the initial post, you can download the specs here.

I can see wheels turning, so to speak. (Pun fully intended.)

 

This is in the rules and instructions sheet, but I figured I'd also post it here:

The races will be single elimination, best 2 of 3 races vs. any opponent. Change lanes for the first 2 races. If you alternate wins, flip a coin for lane selection for the 3rd race vs. that opponent. If you win, you move on to challenge other opponents. If you don’t win, you can work on your car for the Drag Queen Car Show.

 

Ahhhh the good old days... building your own car with your dads help and stomping all the competition for tree years straight. May just have to pack my tools in the trailer. Heck might have to build a trailer for the car.

 

Hmmmm... trailers.... well, they're not governed by the Rules, but would likely cause derailments on the track, so might not be a good idea for the actual racing (they can cause damage to a competitor's car while racing).

BUT... there are some prizes rewarded for appearance as well... hmmm...

PMd you...

 

This is really cool. Has anyone thought about having some races for cars from the various regional clubs in attendance, separate from the individual races?

 

Oh we've thought of a LOT of things - and that's a GREAT idea - but with this being the inaugural year we're keeping it simple. Club vs. Club, different racing classes, perhaps an "unlimited" class where the only restrictions are weight and dimensions... all may come next year or in following years. Keep the suggestions coming!

Until then, grab that cordless Dremel, a can of primer and spray paint, and your detailing brush... you can get the kits at check-in at Fontana and what you do with it between then and the races on Saturday morning is up to you! Just please, don't spray paint in the hotel rooms or get sawdust in the carpeting...

 

Just to avoid confusion (hopefully): the kits will be available at check-in at Fontana. (Registration occurs here on NAM very soon! )

 

Are you going to have shirts? I registered for the event and didn't see a shirt option.