These guidelines are intended as a starting point for churches/ associations who are beginning this activity. During the regional Congresses this competition will take place and is open to churches with RA’s and these guidelines will be used. Associational winners must compete at the Regional Run-off to compete at state level.
This event provides opportunity to involve men and boys in the program of Royal Ambassadors. As an interest activity it meets the physical and social needs of the boy, provides an attraction to the program, and emphasizes good sportsmanship as an interpretation of the pledge. It also creates meaningful relationships between a boy and an adult as they team to create the car. Adults can be involved in all parts of this event thus lending support to the program and creating leadership for the program.
The RA chapter and/or men’s unit must be registered with the state and associational Brotherhood. This registration should be in writhing. Men and boys who participate must be members of the Brotherhood RA/Challenger or Baptist Men on Mission.
Five will be used during the regional competition and is a suggested starting point.
LAD: Grades 1-3
CRUSADER: Grades 4-6
CHALLENGERS I – Grades 7-9
CHALLENGERS II – Grades 10-12
BAPTIST MEN ON MISSION AND ADULT
- The track is to meet RA racer specifications, available from the state.
- Finish line lights, foam pad or blanket to catch cars finishing, placed in a roped area to keep persons from crossing the track.
- Facilities need to be large enough to accommodate one or more tracks at 34 feet each.
Each church/association should plan at least 3 months for this event to give time for ordering cars, building track, enlisting help and publicity and getting the facility, ordering the awards, registering chapter/units, and working on becoming members.
Race Car
Cars will be built from kits purchased from Royal Racers or from Sparta, TN. Please click here to for ordering information: http://www.royalracers.com/Orderinginfo.htm
Car Company
MakeTracks Company
192 Lovejoy Rd
Sparta, TN 38583-3370
(931) 935-8203
Each participant will build a NEW car each year.
Cars will be built to the national specifications and rules as follows:
RULES
1-All cars must be the official Royal Ambassador Racer Cars made by Royal Racers of Sparta, Tennessee. Entrants may choose the plain or deluxe kit. Standard kits with 4 ¼ inch on center axle slots will be used. Only the ¼ inch tapered wheel with the name “Royal Racers” in the wheel and the axles from the kit may be used.
2-The shape of the wheels may not be altered but the “flash” on the rolling edge of the wheel may be removed. Axles may be cleaned and buffed but not altered.
3-Cars may weigh a maximum of 5 ounces. Official weigh in will be on digital scales. Weights must be attached to the car and may not be replaced if they do not stay attached during the race.
4-No additional parts may be attached to the cars. Each car must have the official RA sticker on it. Other stickers and/or stripes will be permitted.
5-Maximum width to be 2 ¾ inches including wheels and axles. Maximum length to be 7 inches (the length of the official kits). The nose of the car may not be cut to fit around the starting post.
6-The race will be run on an official Royal Ambassador Race Track from Make Tracks Company. The track will be of the side rail design. An electronic finish line system will determine the winner.
7-There will be two divisions. Lad for grades 1-3 and Crusader for grades 4-6. The race will be single elimination with the starting grid determined by the drawing of numbered tokens on race day. Each division will race against their peers and a final race between the winning Lad and Crusader car will be also held.
8-First, Second, and Third place trophies will be awarded in both Lad and Crusader divisions. Participation certificates and/or National Race chevrons will be given to all participants.
There will also be a Show & Shine competition. These cars will not run down the track. Rules for Show & Shine are as follows:
RULES
1-Only official Royal Ambassador Racecar kits from Royal Racers of Sparta, TN may be entered in the Show and Shine.
2-Parts made from wood may be added to the standard kits as long at the total height is 3 inches or less and it meets the other size requirements of the National Race rules. The finished car must fit into an official size box that measures 2 ¾ inchesWide by 7 inches Long on the inside.
3-The entries must include the official RA Sticker. Other stickers and stripes will be permitted.
Track
The construction of a RA Racer Derby Track is made so that cars are kept in a lane by a lane strip. It is necessary that axles be used as furnished and that car chassis not be lowered below 3/8 inches. Failure to follow these instructions may cause car to drag on lane strip.
| Type of Elimination During Competition |
Depending on size of group and time a single or double elimination may be used. Consult with those who know these methods and be flexible if you do not know the attendance before the competition.
| Equipment and Materials for Registering Cars |
- 3x5 Forms for each participant: Name, address, church, age and grade (High school or below). A space for officials to write in entitled "Category" with a blank line.
- Pencils and markers. *Several tables and chairs; one for the forms; one for the inspection and number assignments; and the rest for the cars ready to race.
- Four posters to be attached to tables where the cars will be ready to race, one for each category (Lad, Crusader, etc.).
- Bucket for drawing numbers.
- One numbered poster for each bucket.
- Scales for weighing and tape measure.
- Additional wheels, axles, and glue (for emergency repair on cars damaged by handling by officials).
You may choose to pre-register participants to ensure an attendance for the event and to keep the event from slowing down due to every group filling out an event form and a Chapter/Unit registration form.
- If not pre-registered (all forms filled out), each participant begins at the registration table and fills out all necessary forms.
- Participant presents his form and car at the inspection area for weigh-in and measurement.
- When car passes inspection, the official checks the participation form for accuracy and 3x5 card and car are carefully handled by an official who places both (car or card) on the corresponding table with that category. (Two or more persons may be needed to speed this process).
- When registration is completed for all categories, the selection of cars and lanes for bracketing will be done randomly.
- Allow floor plan for all to see and discourage crossing over the track or getting too close to the cars ready to race on the track
- No one touches the car but either the official or the participants who own the car when directed to do so.
- Every car must race at least once; even it races by itself.
- Determine how many heats and places at the finish will be necessary to qualify for the final race.
- Official will explain the following procedure or have printed on a handout for everyone to see.
- When the names are drawn, they will be called out and the participant or official moves the car and card from the table. The car is placed at the start with participant taking card to the finish line to wait for the race.
- Cars race by gravity. Each car may be allowed one false start (jumping track, coming apart, sticking on the track). Race is canceled and restarted. If the same car repeats a false start, it is disqualified and the race is not stopped unless that car interferes. If the car with 2 false starts was in a double elimination, the car moves to a loser’s bracket. During a false start, unaffected cars must be allowed to travel the distance of the track and not be grabbed as they go by, causing damage. If at the second false start of the same car, there is interference, that race is canceled, that car is eliminated, and the cars are allowed another race.
- Finish: The car whose front crosses the finish line or lights their lane first wins. At least two officials are needed for this, especially if more than one car qualifies.
- After race, official declares the winner(s) of that race (heat) and participant or official moves car and card back to the table to await the next race. After the last heat, this process is repeated for the final race and continues until there is/are winner/s in that category.
The judges/officials may depend on specific needs. Suggestions:
- Two at registration table; one for starter; two at finish line; one score keeper; three or more car watchers; and one head judge.
- One of the two judges at the registration tables should be the rules judge. The rules judge has final authority over rule interpretation, including the specifications and inspection of racecars.
- The finish judge should work closely with the score keeper in keeping track of the places at finish.
- The head judge has final authority on timing, lane violations, scratches, false starts, tiebreakers, interferences, placing at the finish and the final decision over all issues of the event.
Suggestions: Categories – Place at finish.
Types of awards – Ribbons, Certificates, Trophies, Patches, Medals, etc.
(Note: RA racer patches and chevrons are available at the Baptist Book Store). |
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