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Moonbuggy Rules and Penalties
Construction Requirements
- 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.
- Propulsion System- human
powered (one or both passengers); energy storage devices- such as springs,
flywheels or others- are not allowed.
- Un-Assembled Dimensions-
Prior to course testing, assembly judging is conducted the morning of
the race, prior to the first run. The un-assembled vehicle must fit
(or be collapsible) to fit in a volume of maximum dimension 4'x 4'x
4'. A container of this dimension will be placed over the collapsed
or un-assembled moonbuggy for verification.
- 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.
- Assembled Dimensions-
the maximum width of the assembled vehicle is four (4) feet, including
wheels. There are no constraints for height and length of the assembled
vehicle.
- Other than the stated
configuration requirements, no constraints are imposed regarding materials
and design.
- Vehicles, or parts of
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 build their own buggies, and the course drivers, chosen
from each team, must also be builders of the vehicle.
- 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.
- No body part of either
passenger may be closer than 15" to the flat surface on which the
vehicle is supported.
- The vehicle must have
a turning radius of 15 feet or less.
- 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
forward and sideways. 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.
- Each vehicle must have
seat restraints for each of the two passengers. The restraints must
be worn during runs of the course.
- All sharp edges and
protrusions must be eliminated (i.e. padded) or guarded as necessary
to the satisfaction of the judges.
- The vehicle
must be equipped with the following elements: simulated TV camera (approximately
2" x 3" x 6"), simulated high gain antenna (minimum 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 minimum size 1 cubic foot) and national or school flag. These
items (and their sizes) will be checked prior to, and after, each course
run.
- Backing up is not required,
but may be useful.
- Vehicles that do not
satisfy the intent of the moonbuggy competition can be disqualified.
- Only vehicles registered
for the competition will be allowed in the pits area.
- Brakes must be present to insure the ability to safely stop the vehicle.
Passenger Rules
- Moonbuggy Passengers-
two (2) student team members (one female and one male)
- Eye protection
(e.g. goggles or face shield), head protection (a bicycle helmet), and
appropriate clothing (gloves WITH fingers, long pants, socks, shoes,
short or long sleeved upper garment covering the torso) must be worn
during operation of the moonbuggy.
- No appendages such as
stilts may be used on the feet of the moonbuggy passengers.
- Pushing the moonbuggy
with a pole or other implement is not allowed.
- 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.
Penalties
Penalties may be incurred
for the following:
Pre-Race:
- Carry (weight) requirement,
2:00 minutes
- 4'x4'x4' Volume requirement,
2:00 minutes
- 15" Clearance requirement,
2:00 minutes
- Assembled size width
(4') requirement, 2:00 minutes
- Late start penalty-
Moonbuggy teams will be called for pre-race qualifying (before the 1st
run) and to the start line (2nd run). The
following penalties will be assessed to teams that are not present and
ready to begin: 5
minutes late-4 minute penalty; 10 minutes late- disqualification
Race:
- Obstacle (1-15) penalties,
full/0 of standard penalty
- Passenger/ground, course
contact penalties, full/0 of standard penalty
- (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:
- 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:
- Passenger requirement
(1 male, 1 female)
- Missing an obstacle
- Safety Disqualification
(judges discretion)
- 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. Appeals must be submitted in writing to the scoring tent within
1/2 hour of the posting of the score in question. The team risks forfeiting
1 standard penalty if the appeal is rejected. The final decision of the
Great Moonbuggy Race Director shall prevail.
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