Sunday 12 August 2018:
The Competition
Here we are again with 12 competitors ready to join forces with gravity for a battle, there will only be one winner!The competition is in two parts with points being awarded for the cart design and then how well it performs on our track. This year we had a proper marking scheme with forms to fill in and everything. Obviously, we didn't give the competitors the mark scheme because that would endanger them breaking rule number one but marking was based on how well competitors interpreted "The Rules". We'll see how well our marking scheme turned out at the end...
A pit area was set up at the village hall and the carts lined up for inspection by the judges. Lots of 'scrappiness' points were awarded but they also wanted to check the carts would hold together long enough to get off the launch ramp!
The Track
We dragged our launch ramp and track obstacles out of the hedge that had grown round them since last year and discovered that they needed repairs. After some hammering and bashing we had our 'mega' launch ramp, see-saw, pallet jump and height restriction ready to go.Unfortunately, our race track recently received a tar-and-chip surface treatment from the County Council, which normally we would say hurrah, however the chipping are quite rough which meant a slight rethink about our track layout. While we delighted to have a few spills we felt it better to have them a little slower this year and so we introduced a chicane around 'allotment corner'.
With thanks to Mr Patience for loaning us a stash of straw bales and a flatbed trailer which acted as commentary position. Also to Ovington Village Hall for providing such excellent facilities.
Trophies
The competitors all want their name stamped on the splendid, scrappiest, rattiest trophy of all time..jpg)
This year we also have a second trophy for wackiest contraption, so there is even more to fight for.
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Meet the Drivers
and their Machines ...
Tony: 'Alan Cartridge Ahaa!'
Is this the face of concentration or fear? Whatever, he has been released and
from this position there is no going back.
This machine is very similar to Tony's previous entry with a large aluminium dustbin lid fastened to the front, presumably to act as a battering ram. The judges checked the rules and there was mention that carts should not having ramming spikes but nothing about heavy weight dustbin lids.
This machine is very similar to Tony's previous entry with a large aluminium dustbin lid fastened to the front, presumably to act as a battering ram. The judges checked the rules and there was mention that carts should not having ramming spikes but nothing about heavy weight dustbin lids.
There is no doubting the speed of this machine, in the time trials it was
consistently 2 seconds ahead of the chasing pack.
Going quite fast and leaning into the corner:
Going quite fast and leaning into the corner:
Patrick: 'The Cart with No Name'
This is an improved (or is that scrappier?) version of a machine entered last
year. Previously, the rear wheel came very close to buckling so it has been
replaced with a beefed up version.
The downside is that it is bound to be slower with a mountain bike chunky tread and this road surface.
Braking is to say the least crude, but it works! Behind the driver is a springy, rather rusty, steel sheet curved to the same profile as the rear wheel, but not touching it. To brake the driver leans back bringing the metal in contact with the tyre. Surprisingly effective.
The downside is that it is bound to be slower with a mountain bike chunky tread and this road surface.
Braking is to say the least crude, but it works! Behind the driver is a springy, rather rusty, steel sheet curved to the same profile as the rear wheel, but not touching it. To brake the driver leans back bringing the metal in contact with the tyre. Surprisingly effective.
Last year the rear wheel nearly gave way:
Scot: 'Warnes' Wacky Wagon'
Amazing! This cart is a two seater, albeit the pillion has to be small and sits
in front of the driver. The scrutineers were a bit concerned the wobbly front
axle may not be quite up to having two-up for the timed runs.
Despite the best aerodynamic efforts by the driver it wasn't the quickest, here smoothly negotiating the see-saw:
Warnes' Wacky Wagon managed three good runs, here crossing the finish line in a decent time and as a bonus the front axle didn't fall off once:
Despite the best aerodynamic efforts by the driver it wasn't the quickest, here smoothly negotiating the see-saw:
Warnes' Wacky Wagon managed three good runs, here crossing the finish line in a decent time and as a bonus the front axle didn't fall off once:
Karen preparing for her race commentary:
"Errr, what? There are TWO seats??"
"Errr, what? There are TWO seats??"
Ian: 'Toxic Waste'
With all those danger and warning stickers nobody was going anywhere near Toxic
Waste, then this happened on its first run:
We have no idea who is driving behind the full protective gear; it might be 'The Stig'? We can however verify that 'Toxic Waste' a rather wobbly vehicle and we were quite surprised it made it all the way to the finish line.
Fabulous entertainment for the crowd, this is certainly a contender for the wackiest trophy.
- cough - cough - cough - cough -
We have no idea who is driving behind the full protective gear; it might be 'The Stig'? We can however verify that 'Toxic Waste' a rather wobbly vehicle and we were quite surprised it made it all the way to the finish line.
Fabulous entertainment for the crowd, this is certainly a contender for the wackiest trophy.
Toxic Waste arriving, with it's wheelchair chassis and big blue plastic barrel
bodywork.
Exactly what the toys on the steering wheel do is a mystery:
Pinch your nose:
Exactly what the toys on the steering wheel do is a mystery:
Paul: 'And in Last Place is'
This is the unmodified 3-wheeled cart which crashed last year.
Crossing the finishing line in a blur of speed:1.jpg)
Previously by special arrangement, this tricycle cart was entered twice and used by Ali (Pauls'wife) as well. We'll let Paul off for not doing much to his creation for this year's competition because he has built a brand new 4-wheel cart for Ali. So, as well spouse rivalry we will be able to assess if 4 wheels better than 3.
Crossing the finishing line in a blur of speed:
Previously by special arrangement, this tricycle cart was entered twice and used by Ali (Pauls'wife) as well. We'll let Paul off for not doing much to his creation for this year's competition because he has built a brand new 4-wheel cart for Ali. So, as well spouse rivalry we will be able to assess if 4 wheels better than 3.
An old Vauxhall prop-shaft formed the backbone chassis with a couple of BMX bike
cut up for the rest. Very solid and rose jointed steering mechanism, which the
judges were assured they came out of a scrap bin.
The judges were impressed by how the wheel alignment was fully adjustable and
seemed to be set up perfectly.
The judges were impressed by how the wheel alignment was fully adjustable and
seemed to be set up perfectly.Ali: 'And in Last Place - 2'
It's a solid build which was welded together very much at the last moment, built
Saturday ready to race on Sunday:
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Encouraging the rivalry between Ali and Paul: Ali managed to post faster times than Paul in the first two runs, only to be pipped in the final run.
There might have to be a stewards inquiry to establish the facts:
Encouraging the rivalry between Ali and Paul: Ali managed to post faster times than Paul in the first two runs, only to be pipped in the final run.
Wheel misalignment conspiracy
What we know for certain is this magnificent contraption was built in a proper automotive garage with the most advanced computer controlled laser wheel alignment tools available anywhere.There might have to be a stewards inquiry to establish the facts:
- How could the alignment be so far out?
- Was it sabotage?
- Could this have been the fastest cart?
- Who could possibly be involved in such a dastardly deed?
Next year we might awards points for original cart names - zero in this case.
2.jpg)
Is this an innocent oversight or have we spotted some race nobbling?
What this means is so we still don't really know if 4 wheels are better than 3, especially if one has been 'doctored'!
Smoothly done:
Sensational Exclusive Image
This long lens 'paparazzi' shot of Ali going under the height restriction shows a definite wheel misalignment:Is this an innocent oversight or have we spotted some race nobbling?
What this means is so we still don't really know if 4 wheels are better than 3, especially if one has been 'doctored'!
Marcus: 'MAX Mk1'
This machine initially looked to be a serious racer with its detachable F1
steering wheel (welded bike chain) and the only cart to have proper front
suspension, with independent springs and dampers.
However, in true Wacky Scrappy Gravity Race style things didn't quite go to plan, once the driver was installed there was a decided lean to the rear wheels and then a serious toe-in, this was going to be tricky to even get on the launch ramp! In best scrappy style a temporary fix was applied with a ratchet strap and then its go-go-go!!
With wheels that far out of alignment it was never going to be the fastest:
However, in true Wacky Scrappy Gravity Race style things didn't quite go to plan, once the driver was installed there was a decided lean to the rear wheels and then a serious toe-in, this was going to be tricky to even get on the launch ramp! In best scrappy style a temporary fix was applied with a ratchet strap and then its go-go-go!!
With wheels that far out of alignment it was never going to be the fastest:
A magnificent front end with home-made wishbone suspension:
But a rather bent rear end:
But a rather bent rear end:
Roger: 'Tractor Rog'
It all looks good until you see the steering, all four wheels move!
Whether they move in the right way is highly questionable but when that lever is moved the front wheels go one way and the back go the other, it's all a bit bendy so nothing actually lines up. Look at the terror in those eyes, it's a miracle to have got this far down the track:
Whether they move in the right way is highly questionable but when that lever is moved the front wheels go one way and the back go the other, it's all a bit bendy so nothing actually lines up. Look at the terror in those eyes, it's a miracle to have got this far down the track:
Rear steering axle, great for tight turns, highly unstable on our track.
Note also how the brake only works on both wheels as long as they are facing straight ahead (how did the scrutineers let that pass?):
We all know it is going to fall over sooner or later:
Note also how the brake only works on both wheels as long as they are facing straight ahead (how did the scrutineers let that pass?):
Martyn: 'Bedrock Express'
The Flintstones have loaned out their car.
Errr, there may be a problem, that canopy does just fit under the height restriction but something seems to be sticking out of the top:
OK, he made it with a twang as a helmet hit the height limit bar. Now going quite slowly there wasn't quite enough inertia to get over the pallet jump ... and there he sat beached until help arrived in the form a of a push:
Errr, there may be a problem, that canopy does just fit under the height restriction but something seems to be sticking out of the top:
OK, he made it with a twang as a helmet hit the height limit bar. Now going quite slowly there wasn't quite enough inertia to get over the pallet jump ... and there he sat beached until help arrived in the form a of a push:
Steering mechanism with somewhat limited movement:
Jovi: 'The Blue & Red One'
Another outing for the winner of the 2016 Wacky Scrappy Gravity Race, but it's
looking a bit long in the tooth now - definably an MoT failure with steering
which works much better in a right turn than a left turn:
Easy peasy, but not the fastest.
Crossing the finish line:
Chris: 'Blue Streak'
Our oldest competitor (by quite a lot!), we said it was open to everybody.
A wooden construction, which looked decidedly rickety! The scrutineers were a little concerned about which bits would break first, but felt the wheels seemed to be fixed reasonably and would probably stay on.
At the end of the morning judging session this cart was leading the pack. However, it has to actually work on the track too ...
On its first run a small piece fell off but 'Blue Streak' made it to the chequered flag. However, the second run proved a little more challenging after a bolt pulled through some rotten wood used as a footrest. OK, extra points for proving it was genuinely scrap material, but minus severable points for not noticing earlier that it was too far gone.
Things start to get a bit out of line:
There was no recovery and a straw bale and the verge were next in line:
The axle bent and some other pieces broke, but Blue Streak was not dead! After clearing the debris away and a gentle push, the cart managed to limp over the finish line. An excellent effort which the crowd rightly cheered.
Blue Steak retired from the final run, but we we told it will be refurbished, and improved ready to win next year.
A wooden construction, which looked decidedly rickety! The scrutineers were a little concerned about which bits would break first, but felt the wheels seemed to be fixed reasonably and would probably stay on.
At the end of the morning judging session this cart was leading the pack. However, it has to actually work on the track too ...
On its first run a small piece fell off but 'Blue Streak' made it to the chequered flag. However, the second run proved a little more challenging after a bolt pulled through some rotten wood used as a footrest. OK, extra points for proving it was genuinely scrap material, but minus severable points for not noticing earlier that it was too far gone.
Things start to get a bit out of line:
There was no recovery and a straw bale and the verge were next in line:
The axle bent and some other pieces broke, but Blue Streak was not dead! After clearing the debris away and a gentle push, the cart managed to limp over the finish line. An excellent effort which the crowd rightly cheered.
Blue Steak retired from the final run, but we we told it will be refurbished, and improved ready to win next year.
An excellent start off the launch ramp, with a clear track ahead and everything
still attached:
Harrison: 'Little-H'
Having seen our oldest competitor, time to meet the youngest at just 9.
This is another last minute entry, cobbled together at the same time and in the same workshop as 'And in Last Place - 2', can you see any resemblance?
The first time we saw 'Little-H' negotiate the chicane there was a gasp as it went round on two wheels, but he soon found the fast racing line and kept all three on the ground.
The biggest problem is finding images of Little-H, this little cart had a tendency to whiz through in a blur:
This is another last minute entry, cobbled together at the same time and in the same workshop as 'And in Last Place - 2', can you see any resemblance?
The first time we saw 'Little-H' negotiate the chicane there was a gasp as it went round on two wheels, but he soon found the fast racing line and kept all three on the ground.
The biggest problem is finding images of Little-H, this little cart had a tendency to whiz through in a blur:
Approaching the finish line:
. . .
Spectators at 'Allotment Corner'
and at the finishing line
The winners
This should have been easy because we had a fantastic marking scheme...The judges huddled over the scoring sheets and timings chart for a while, and a while longer, then requested to borrow a calculator. Some time later they had reached a verdict:
There were a lot a lot in joint second place, but after recalculating everything using decimals Karen announced that "for the second year in a row the winner is":
Tony with 'Alan Cartridge Ahaa!'
We also had our new Wackiest Cart trophy to award. This was quickly narrowed down to three contenders, then two, but identifying the final one was tricky. A winner emerged by the narrowest margin - the cart using the almost uncontrollable of 4-wheel steering:
Roger with 'Tractor Rog'
