2013 smilie pushcart rules and regulations

2013 RACQ TECHNOLOGY CHALLENGE MARYBOROUGH –

SMILIE PUSHCART RULES AND REGULATIONS

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2013 SMILIE

PUSHCART RULES AND REGULATIONS



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CONTENTS PAGE

Competition outline 3

Design specifications 6

Competition rules 7

Pre-race scrutineering sheet 8

March past/war cry score sheet 9

Construction score sheet 10

50m relay likely draw 11

Entry form 12

Principal’s declaration 13



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COMPETITION OUTLINE

Designing and developing a pushcart can be an enjoyable and productive way of

incorporating technology and science outcomes in your Primary School Program.

Benefits also arise through physical activity, teamwork, sportsmanship and

community partnerships.

Points to Note:

a) New Pushcarts must be designed primarily by students and built in the year of

competition.

b) Re-used Pushcarts from previous competitions – although this reduces the

technology aspect of the entry, it enables teams to compete with less financial outlay.

c) If there are 16 teams or more in any division, they may be run as a separate

competition at the discretion of the Race Director. Format will be advised by email as

soon as entries are finalised.

d) Before Assembly, judges will scrutinise and weigh the vehicle. This should occur

prior to the event, by arrangement with the Coordinator. If the vehicle does not

comply with the checklist on page 8, it will be excluded from the event.

The one day competition is divided into 5 separate trials. Points will be allocated

according to the following:

1. MARCH-PAST 50

2. CONSTRUCTION 150

3. OBSTACLE COURSE 100

4. ENDURANCE RELAY 100

5. SPRINT RELAY 100

TOTAL 500

Certificates may be awarded for:

�� Best subtotal in Section 1 (March past, war cry and dismantle/assembly)

�� Best subtotal in Section 2 (Sprints and obstacle course)

�� Overall winning team (plus medals and a trophy)

�� Pit Stop Champions – fastest dismantle/assemble time

COORDINATOR CONTACT

The Smilie Pushcart Coordinator and Race Director is:

Ms Donna-Lee Greaves

Email: [email protected]



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TRIAL 1 - MARCH PAST/WELCOME WAR CRY

The March Past trial enables the judges to assess a 50 metre March Past and

Welcome War Cry, according to the score sheet on page 9.

Welcome War Cries may include, but are not restricted to, showcasing any of the

following:

• Involvement of your school community in your project

• Acknowledgment of sponsors and other help

• Uniforms, banners, flags etc.

• Team members and their role

• What you learnt in the design and construction of your cart

TRIAL 2 – CONSTRUCTION (includes dismantle and assembly)

The construction trial enables the students to showcase their practical skills. Each

pushcart will be presented to the judges in a completely assembled state. Four (4)

members of the team will dismantle the cart. Any item that is removable must be

removed. Removable items must include wheels, push bar, steering bar/handle,

seat and seat belt. The dismantling team will then step back.

Judges will record the time for dismantling and will check that all removable

components have been removed. In its dismantled state, every component of the cart

- including the seat - must fit through a 100 mm slot (see Design Specifications,

General rule No. 3, on page 6).

Then a different four (4) team members will then re-assemble the cart. Times for

dismantling and assembly will be added together and scored out of 30 points. This will

be added to the “teamwork and tool skills” points. (Any time < 5 minutes will score

maximum points) For more detail see the scoresheet on page 10.

The team with the lowest total time will be declared Pit Stop Champion and awarded a

certificate during the presentations.

TRIAL 3 – ENDURANCE RELAY

The endurance relay will be conducted over 100m on a straight bitumen road surface.

Eight (8) team members must each complete one ‘drive’ and one ‘push’; each pair

swapping roles for their second lap.

The rider’s feet must remain on the cart and the seatbelt must remain attached until

the cart is stationary. The rider must exit the vehicle before it is reversed for

the return lap. This is to prevent any possibility of injury to the pusher, by

“lifting” the combined weight of the vehicle and rider (NEW in 2013).

The seatbelt must be re-connected before the next rider starts. A ten second penalty

will be applied for each breach. False starts will be restarted without penalty.

Points will be allocated on the basis of time in this event. 100 points will be awarded

to the fastest team. All other team’s points will be calculated by comparing their times

to the fastest time.



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TRIAL 4 - OBSTACLE COURSE

In the Obstacle Course, eight (8) team members must each complete one lap ‘driving’

and one lap ‘pushing’. Each lap of the course (approx. 80 – 100m) will include a

series of slaloms, turns and short sprints on a grass track. Other tests of riding skill

may be included in the course, sight unseen. Markers will be spaced 4 metres apart

for the slalom section.

Each pair must swap roles for their second lap. The seatbelt must be re-connected

before the next rider starts. A ten second penalty will be applied for each breach.

False starts will be restarted without penalty.

The rider’s feet must remain on the cart and the seatbelt must remain locked-in until


the return lap. This is to prevent any possibility of injury to the pusher, by

“lifting” the combined weight of the vehicle and rider (NEW in 2012).

If any rider ‘hits’ a course marker on the slalom, they must reverse to the previous

marker, as ordered by the marshal. They will then be allowed to continue.

The total time for the team to complete eight (8) laps determines the score awarded.

The fastest team will be awarded 100 points. All other team’s points will be calculated

as a percentage of the fastest time. e.g., double the time equals half the points (i.e.

50%).

TRIAL 5 - SPRINT RELAY

The sprint relay will be conducted over a 50 metre straight grass track. Eight (8)

team members must each complete one ‘drive’ and one ‘push’. Each pair must swap

roles for their second lap.

The rider’s feet must remain on the cart and the seatbelt must remain attached until


the return lap. This is to prevent any possibility of injury to the pusher

“lifting” the vehicle and rider (NEW for 2012).

The seatbelt must be re-connected before the next rider starts. A ten second penalty

will be applied for each breach. False starts will be restarted without penalty.

In this trial, elimination races will be run, taking the winners from each heat, into the

semi-final round; the winners from these will enter the final round. The number of

heats - and thus semi-finals – will depend on the total number of nominated teams.

Consequently, this will not be determined by the Race Director until the last

nomination is confirmed, and will be released to each team on race day.

Where possible, each race will involve three (3) teams. First placed teams will

advance from heats, plus the fastest second/s – as needed - to make up semi-finals.

The semi-final winners will advance to the final round; if there are only two semi-final

races, the fastest semi-final second will advance to the final, also.

Points will be awarded on a sliding scale according to each team’s finishing position.

Losing semi-finalists will receive 85. The team placing third in the final receives 90

points, second receives 95, and the first receives 100 points.

Note: The Race Director may vary these guidelines slightly, as needed, depending on

the number of entries.



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DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS

GENERAL

1. The cart shall have a minimum of four wheels, a push bar and front steering.

2. Any construction material may be used.

3. When dismantled, every component of the cart must be able to pass through a 100

mm wide slot in a piece of plywood/MDF as shown below.

4. Unladen carts in all divisions must not weigh less than 15 kg. All vehicles will be

weighed by the organisers prior to competition. Lighter vehicles must be ballasted

up to 15 kg before weigh-in.

BRAKES

5. A brake must operate on at least one rear wheel. The brake control or pedal must

have a definite “off” position, and must be controlled by the rider.

6. Brakes will be assessed to ensure they effectively slow the vehicle.

WHEELS

7. Wheels, including tyres, may not exceed 275mm diameter.

8. To avoid wheels locking, the front wheels must not contact the cart on full steering

lock (i.e. when vehicle is turning hard).

9. Rope, cord or wire systems are not allowed for steering.

SAFETY

10. All components must be attached in such a way as to prevent them from working

loose during the competition. K-clips, split pins or similar devices may be used to

retain nuts etc.; however, they cannot be the only fastening device for any

component other than wheels.

The intention of this rule is to encourage the use of various fasteners, not just “quick-

release” devices.

Judges will be assessing the team’s ability to dismantle and re-assemble the cart

using appropriate teamwork and tool skills, with less emphasis on speed.

11. Protruding bolts must be cut off and jagged edges filed smooth.

12. Carts must be fitted with an adjustable automotive style seatbelt (minimum 2

point). The belt must consist of standard seatbelt webbing and must fasten with

an automotive type clip.

13. Inertia reels, Velcro strips and plastic fastenings are not allowed.

14. The front of the pushcart must have foam or similar protection attached, to

minimise injury should any collisions occur.

15. The push bar must extend at least 10 cm above the helmet of the tallest driver.

VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION

16. To aid in identification during judging, each vehicle may display their school

and/or team name somewhere on the vehicle.

100 wide slot Plywood/MDF

1000 long slot



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COMPETITION RULES

1 The team may obtain assistance from other students, relatives, friends, local

tradespeople, community groups etc. in the construction of the vehicle. However,

adults are not permitted to assist during any of the five trials. Only the team

manager may communicate with the Race Director, during the event.

2 The judges must be satisfied that a vehicle is safe before a team can participate in

the event. Prior to Assembly, judges will scrutinise and weigh the vehicle. This

should occur prior to the event, by arrangement with the Coordinator. If the

vehicle does not comply with the checklist on page 8, it will be excluded from the

event.

3 Eight students compete in the construction and trials events. In the March-past, all

ten students may take part. Different students can be interchanged for different

events; however, a strict 50/50 gender mix must be maintained in each event.

Age and gender combinations are unrestricted; however, each rider-pusher

combination must swap roles before new team members take over.

4 Power for the vehicle must come solely from the single team member who is

pushing the cart. The pusher may run and push, or ride on the back of the cart

while scooting it along.

5 The ‘pusher’ is allowed to help stop the vehicle; however, the rider’s feet must

remain on the vehicle until it has stopped.

6 Each member of the team must wear knee and elbow pads, and an approved

bicycle helmet when competing in the trials. Gloves are optional.

7 Undesirable event behaviour (e.g. students arguing at changeover, “pacing” or

harassment of officials by adults) will result in a penalty for the related team

being awarded by race marshals.

8 To ensure fair competition on the day, all rules will be strictly enforced and

penalties applied by the marshals. If accidents occur, which unfairly disadvantage

one team over another, the event may be re-run at the discretion of the Race

Director.

9 Teams are invited to display on their vehicles and uniforms, any signs/logos that

promote healthy school, industry and community links. Sponsorship support must

be consistent with the health and welfare of young people and the overall

objectives of the RACQ Technology Challenge Maryborough.

10 Signs/logos/stickers etc. representing cigarettes, drugs, alcohol or illegal

substances or practices are not permissible.

11 If you have any doubts about the suitability of a sponsor or sticker, please contact

the race director. The organisers reserve the right to remove any offensive

signage.

__end of rules



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SMILIE PUSHCART – PRE-RACE SCRUTINEERING CHECKLIST

NUMBER TEAM NAME

Criterion Approved

Minimum 4 wheels, push bar, front steering.

Weight of cart not less than 15 kg (no maximum limit)

Brake – operates effectively on at least one rear wheel.

- has a definite “off” position, spring loaded or similar.

- is controlled by the rider, not the pusher.

Front wheels do not contact cart on full lock.

Rope, cord or wire not used for steering system.

Components cannot work loose.

Protruding bolts are cut off and jagged edges filed smooth.

Automotive style seatbelt is fitted. Minimum 2 point attachment.

Inertia reels, plastic clips and Velcro fastening not allowed.

Front of the pushcart has sufficient foam or similar protection to

minimise injury should any collisions occur.

The push bar is at least 10 cm above the helmet of the tallest driver

Components required to be removed for Dismantle score (Wheels,

push bar, steering bar or handle, seat, seat belt) are removable.

School name displayed on the vehicle.

Vehicle approved for competition: YES / NO

Signed by judge:



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SMILIE PUSHCART – MARCH PAST/WAR CRY SCORE SHEET



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SMILIE PUSHCART - CONSTRUCTION SCORE SHEET



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50m RELAY

2013 smilie pushcart rules and regulations

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