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Course Description and Procedure
The Great Moonbuggy
Race course winds around rockets and other space vehicles including a Saturn
Moon Rocket, an engineering test unit of the Space Shuttle with its external
fuel tank and solid rocket boosters and a model of the LEM (Lunar Excursion
Module). The total length of the course is about 7/10 of one mile and is
strewn with miscellaneous lunar-like obstacles distributed randomly over
the course. One of the interesting terrains on the course is a lunar crater
area in which the life-size replica of the LEM is located.
The course
map and description present the general course outline.
Moonbuggy Course Procedure
- The competition
begins when the vehicle is tested for the 4'x4'x4' volume constraint.
Then the two passengers carry their moonbuggy in the collapsed (i.e.,
un-assembled) condition a distance of 20 feet and set it at the starting
line. (The passengers are the only two individuals who may be involved
in the carry and assembly procedures.) Carry time is not included as
a part of the assembly time.
- After
the volume test, a signal will be given to the two passengers to assemble
their vehicle and the clock is started. The clock is stopped when the
vehicle is fully assembled, the riders are in their seats with their
belts fastened and feet are on pedals as if ready to race. No more work will be allowed on the buggy before the
first run.
- After
the buggy is assembled, the vehicle is inspected for safety and the
15" clearance test for passengers is conducted. The 4' width requirement
for buggies will also be checked after assembly. (A safety test will
also be conducted before the second run.) A pre-race review will be
conducted at the start of each run to determine that all seven required
items (fenders, flag, simulated: 1st battery, 2nd battery, high gain
antenna, radio and display console, tv camera) are attached to the vehicle.
- All pre-race
assembly and testing will be conducted only in the morning, and before
the first run of the course. No opportunity for testing and pre-race
assembly will be available before the second run, and the pre-race assembly
and testing will be conducted only one time.
- The two
moonbuggy passengers ready themselves by determining they are wearing
the appropriate protection gear, take their place in the vehicle and
buckle-up their seat restraints. Pants legs and shoe strings should
be taped down.
- The passengers
will receive a signal to start the race, at which time the clock for
that team is re-started. The team has to traverse the entire course.
The event clock stops when the vehicle containing the two crewmembers
crosses the finish line.
- A team
will receive a time penalty if the team is not able to traverse the
obstacle in question. All obstacles must be attempted. A "missed"
obstacle will result in disqualification for the run.
- Each time
either crewmember driver touches the ground, or other course items such
ropes or railings, a time penalty will be added to the total clock time
for the event.
- Individuals
may NOT follow the moonbuggy during a run. We suggest teams post their
other members at locations along the course route. Course judges
will have the authority to disqualify any team that follows its moonbuggy
during a run.
- Judges
have authority to remove a disabled vehicle from the course when they
feel it will affect the course time of the next successive buggy. The
course run for the disabled buggy will end at this point. Failure to
yield to the judge's request will result in disqualification of the
buggy for the race.
- A final
conditions test will be conducted at the end of each run to determine
that all seven required items (fenders, national or school flag, simulated:
1st battery, 2nd battery, high gain antenna, radio and display console,
tv camera) are still attached to the vehicle.
- Two runs
of the course are permitted. The drivers for the first run must be those
individuals who carry and assemble the buggy before the first run. Substitutes
from the six member moonbuggy team may be made for either or both drivers
for the second run of the course.
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