gravity racing

[bxracer69]

I saw this, this morning. Its like super soap-box derby. I think it would be cool to put a team together and build a car and compete.

Check it out.

http://www.gravityseries.com

[sperry]

:lol:

http://www.gravityseries.com/images_xgr/maps/See_Canyon_Drive_San_Louis_Obispo.jpg

See Canyon eh?

[MattR]

hmmm

[sp00ln]

http://www.gravityseries.com/PDF/XGR_NewYorkTimesSlideShow.pdf

You'd get your ass handed to you.

[sperry]

What are the rules? Is the car only allowed to roll down the hill, or is the power source from the car only allowed to come from gravity?

If it's the latter, I'd use regenerative braking to charge a capacitor, then reverse the power on corner exit to accelerate. :devil:

...or just use a mini-blackhole as an electric power source and run down the hill in a 1000 hp electric rally car. "Powered by gravity" :lol:

[sperry]

hmmm
See Canyon is a local road in San Luis Obispo BTW.

[bxracer69]

the car has no engine and can only roll down the hill

car can be 9 ft long 4 ft wide max

and combined weight of car and driver cannot exceed 350 lbs.

[sperry]

the car has no engine and can only roll down the hill

car can be 9 ft long 4 ft wide max

and combined weight of car and driver cannot exceed 350 lbs.
Okay, but can it have a flywheel that spins up under braking, then returns the stored energy to the wheels on corner exit?

[bxracer69]

ill try and get the official rules and see

[sybir]

and combined weight of car and driver cannot exceed 350 lbs.

Well, F that ;)

[Duckie]

HA! I knew my 130 pounds would come in handy.

[bxracer69]

lol

[bxracer69]

I have the official rules:

2006 DESIGNSERIESTM BUILD RULES
Under each required criterion, XGR mandates certain measures.

GRAVITY RACERTM DESIGN RULES
 Weights and Measures
 Max volume of 9' x 4' x 4'
 Max weight 350 lbs. car and driver.

 Stability
 (4 wheels min)

 Performance and Handling
 Performance and handling to negotiate up to 3mile-long courses with sharp turns and road gradients up to 25% Optional for Hill Climb: Ability to climb hills unaided (see Energy requirement below.)

 Energy
 Gravity is the only source of energy to be used for the downhill races. No stored sources prior to race (must be proven to race officials). No driver input externally during the race, downhill or uphill Optional for Hill Climb: Capability to store emission free energy on each downhill run for use only during a return trip uphill as far as possible. Pit crews may be used to reverse direction and position the car at the finish line, but thereafter unaided for the start of the hill climb. All stored energy must be completely dissipated before starting another race downhill.

 Driver Safety
 Driver head protection through the use of a full racing helmet
 Appropriate safety harnesses and/or belts
 Engineered rollover protection (above helmet)
 4-wheel brakes

 Racing Safety
 Mandatory Braking and Steering test to be completed to achieve race eligibility
 Optional: Adequate measures taken to prevent wheel interlock during side-by-side racing

XGR Teams will be required to demonstrate driving, performance, and safety proficiency prior to race day. XGR reserves the right to amend the build rules as conditions demand and maintains the right to preclude teams should there be any question of safety.

[sperry]

Sweet, sounds like flywheels and capasitors are green lighted! :cool:

[bxracer69]

Optional for Hill Climb: Capability to store emission free energy on each downhill run for use only during a return trip uphill as far as possible.

looks like if a flywheel was put in place, you would have to enter the optional uphill climb.

[sperry]

Optional for Hill Climb: Capability to store emission free energy on each downhill run for use only during a return trip uphill as far as possible.

looks like if a flywheel was put in place, you would have to enter the optional uphill climb.
How are they gonna know I'm not using it on the downhill?

[bxracer69]

good point

[Ezdno]

I dont think I could build a 100lb car that I could fit my fat ass in.

[cody]

I dont think I could build a 100lb car that I could fit my fat ass in.
That may be true...however...there are...other options. Think outside the box.

For example:
http://media.southparkstudios.com/media/images/511/image_07.gif