Moonbuggy Rules and Penalties

Construction Requirements

1. Moonbuggy Teams- each moonbuggy must be the work of a student team of a high school or an accredited institution of higher learning. A group of high schools may also work in collaboration toward building a moonbuggy entry.
2. Propulsion System- human powered (one or both passengers); energy storage devices- such as springs, flywheels or others- are not allowed.
3. Collapsed Dimensions- prior to course testing, Assembly judging is conducted the morning of the race, prior to the first run. The collapsed vehicle must fit in a volume of maximum dimension 4'x 4'x 4'. Tape, strap, or other device can be used to hold the buggy together in the collapsed configuration; however, all such devices must be part of what is carried (see item 4 below) and any component not to be part of the buggy when racing the course must be left in the “tool area” following assembly timing A frame of this dimension will be placed over the collapsed moonbuggy for verification. No contact with the buggy by the team is permitted while being measured
4. Weight- the vehicle must be lifted and carried 20 feet by the two passengers, without aid of any sort (e.g., no wheels) in the unassembled 4'x 4'x 4' volume configuration.
5. Assembled Dimensions- the maximum width of the assembled vehicle, with riders onboard, is four (4) feet, including wheels. There are no constraints for height and length of the assembled vehicle.
6. Vehicles not constructed by the entering team are not acceptable. Vehicles that have been previously entered should contain major modifications that attempt to improve on design and performance. Students are expected to design, construct and test their own buggies, and the race drivers, chosen from each team, should also be involved in these activities.
7. No constraints are imposed in the means of contact between the buggy and the simulated lunar surface. We encourage creativity and participants are open to using wheels, belts, treads, etc.
8. All parts of the buggy, including the seat, steering controls, and peddles, with which the riders have normal contact must be designed such that their lowest surface must be at least 15” (38.1 cm) above the ground when the buggy is  at rest on a level surface and with riders onboard. In the case of the peddles and steering controls, that measurement is to be made when that part is in the lowest position possible (not when the buggy is in the collapsed configuration).
9. The vehicle must have a turning radius of 15 feet or less.
10. For safety reasons, it is recommended that the center of gravity of the "vehicle plus passengers" be low enough to safely handle slopes of 30 degrees front-to-back and side-to-side. Any moonbuggy exhibiting handling characteristics or other vehicle dynamics that are deemed unsafe or unstable by the judges will be disqualified from the competition. This determination will be made by inspection of the assembled moonbuggies prior to course testing. Any moonbuggy that is judged to have become unsafe while racing or passengers who are found to be injured or bleeding can be disqualified from that race attempt and removed from the course.
11. Each vehicle must have seat restraints for each of the two passengers. The restraints must be worn during runs of the course.
12. All sharp edges and protrusions must be eliminated (i.e. padded) or guarded as necessary to the satisfaction of the judges.
13. The vehicle must be equipped with the following elements: simulated TV camera (approximately 2" x 3" x 6"), simulated high gain antenna (approximately diameter of reflector: 2'), two simulated batteries (each approximately 4"x 6"x 8"), moon dust abatement devices (aka fenders) over each wheel, simulated electronic controls- radio and display console (total combined approximate size 1 cubic foot) and national or institution flag. These items will be checked prior to, and after, each course run.
14. Backing up is not required, but may be useful.
15. Vehicles that do not satisfy the intent of the moonbuggy competition can be disqualified.
16. Only vehicles registered for the competition will be allowed in the pits area.
17. Brakes must be present to insure the ability to safely stop the vehicle.
18. Protective equipment and clothing are be required when engaged in a construction activity, like welding, that requires appropriate protective gear

Passenger Rules

1. Moonbuggy Passengers- two (2) student team members (one female and one male) must propel the moonbuggy over the course.
2. Eye protection (e.g. safety glasses, goggles, or face shield), head protection (a bicycle helmet), and appropriate clothing must be worn during operation of the moonbuggy. Shoes are required. Although at the discretion of adult riders, adult supervisors, and parents of minors, it is recommended that clothing providing some protection against cuts and abrasion be worn (e.g. long sleeved and long torso shirts, long pants, and socks).
3. No appendages such as stilts may be used on the feet of the moonbuggy passengers.
4. Pushing the moonbuggy with a pole or other implement is not allowed. A rider’s use of their hands on the wheels as with a wheelchair to rock or otherwise facilitate moving the moonbuggy is permitted.
5. The consumption of alcoholic beverages or controlled substances by any team member at any time during the event is strictly prohibited and is grounds for disqualification of the team.
6. Only clipless style peddles require compatible and interlocking cleat-style shoes. Standard size peddles that include cleat-style clips do not have to be matched with cleat-style shoes for running the race. The feet of both riders must be on the peddles at the end of the timed assembly, but do not need to be engaged with any included restraints. In addition, riders and buggies are expected to be fully ready to race on the course, including helmets, full fingered gloves, goggles, and attached seatbelts to complete the timed assembly exercise. Be careful in adjusting the chain while racing.  Each team will be required to develop a “Signal System” between the two riders to ensure hands are clear of the chain.  They will be asked to describe their communication plan to the Marshall Safety Action team (MSAT) member and/or the Starter prior to the race.

Penalties

Penalties may be incurred for the following:

During the Race:

1. Obstacle (1-15) penalties, penalty range 0 sec. to 2 minutes
2. Passenger/ground, course contact penalties, 0 sec. to 2 minutes of standard penalty
3. (One passenger/ground contact penalty will be incurred if there is ground, rope or railing contact in an "obstacle judging area". An obstacle judging area is defined as the area from the previous obstacle to the "current" obstacle. Maximum of 1 penalty in each obstacle judging area). Standard Penalty: 1 minute.

Post/Pre Race:

1. Final Condition- seven items (Fenders, US flag, simulated: 1st battery, 2nd battery, high gain antenna, tv camera, radio and display console)- 0:30 seconds ea.

Disqualification:

1. Passenger requirement (1 male, 1 female)
2. Missing an obstacle
3. Safety Disqualification (judges discretion)
4. 10 minute late start

Penalty Appeals

The scoring decisions of the judges are considered to be final. Only in extraordinary circumstances should appeals of penalties be proposed. If the appeals process is chosen, the advisor/instructor or the team leader must submit the appeal of the penalty in writing to Mike Selby in the scoring area within 1/2 hour of the posting of the score in question. The final decision of the Race Director shall prevail.

Code of Conduct

The committee members who administer the planning and operation of the Great Moonbuggy Race strive to conduct themselves in a professional manner.  We ask the same from each of the participants.  All faculty members, team members, team supporters, judges and officials are to conduct themselves responsibly and respectfully throughout the Great Moonbuggy Race. Anyone not doing so will be requested to leave the U S Space & Rocket Center grounds.

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