As I expect you will have guessed there is no race this year. While lock-down
is easing, the repeated advice from Government advisors is that ‘social
distancing’ will be here for some time.
We felt that it would be difficult and disruptive to ensure social distancing
at our event. Even if it were possible, we suspect many people would choose not
to attend because of the Government guidance and the restrictions would make it
less fun.
If you would like advanced notice of future thoughts drop an email to:
race@ovington.org.uk
Look what happened on Sunday 11 August 2019:
The Competition
Here we are again with 12 competitors wanting to harness gravity. Just like
King Canute who tried to hold back the tide, they all think
they are in control, let's see how it turned out.
The competition is in two parts. Obviously, we didn't give the
competitors the mark scheme because that would endanger them breaking
rule number one.
- Points were awarded for initiative cart design, scrappiness and effective
bodgery.
- Further points were available for the cart's timed performance on the
track, with each cart having three runs.
Setting-up the Track
A week or so before race day I removed the tarpaulin from last year's 'mega'
launch ramp and found it in reasonable condition. I gave it a poke with a
screwdriver looking for any rot and later had it tested by the BBC's Julie
Reinger although she didn't know she had been promoted to chief tester.
With a little time available I could make some additional challenges for the
track.
We will keep the height restriction, see-saw and pallet-jump from last year, but
new for 2019 there is a 'suspension tester', which should be interesting because
none of the carts have effective suspension. Also there will also be a banked
curve - let's see how brave the competitors are and who goes the highest at the
steepest angle.
Just before we were ready to start judging PART I we had a visit from BBC Radio
Norfolk's
Treasure Quest programme. Here is Julie Reinger "testing"
the launch ramp:
Trophies
The competitors all want their name stamped on the splendid, scrappiest,
rattiest trophy of all time.
An improved trophy for the "wackiest" contraption was also up for grabs, so
there is even more to fight for.
While all this was happening a one-third scale Burrell traction engine was in
steam, ready to give rides around the car park:
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 the judges also
wanted to check the carts stood a chance of reaching the bottom of the launch
ramp in one piece!
All carts were given the OK to race, but the judges we wondered how many would
actually make it to the finish line.
Dave and Tim awarding points:
Queues at the BBQ:
Spectators at 'Allotment Corner':
and at the finishing line:
Meet the Inventors / Drivers
. . . and their Wacky Scrappy Machines
Jordan: 'The Blue and Red One'
From team Chaos and Mayhem. Now officially a 'golden oldie' cart from 2016 which
seems to get slower each year. We borrowed The Blue and Red One in the morning
to test the obstacles when setting up the track.
RH
Mark: 'Saham Rocket'
On its first run, the heavy Saham Rocket bounced off the side slope straight
into the bales; marshals quickly recovered it and sent on its way no harm done,
except for an extra 30 seconds. A firmer grip of the steering on later runs saw
it complete the course successfully.
RH
Marcus: 'MAX MkII'
From team Chaos and Mayhem.
Max MkII has gained weight with circular saws on the front wheels and a full
spanner set, some of which are chuffin' big and they didn't all make it to the
finish line! I wonder if older people remember seeing something on a similar
theme before?
Google "Buzz-wagon" from a 50 year old Hanna-Barbera cartoon.
Jason: 'Barber Bodge Job'
At first glance this looks a smart build, but shiny silver paint can cover a
multitude of bodgery.
It looks uncomfortable to drive with a rather awkward foot position.
This looks like an engine, it sounds like an engine; is there some blatant
cheating going on?
It turned out to be a fake, probably trying to distract us from the bodging
elsewhere. Great sound effects from Barber Bodge Job.
Chris: 'The Daring Dentist'
Last year, the rotten timber chassis of Chris's tricycle cart called 'Blue
Streak' allowed the front wheel to come loose and the cart crashed.
This year, an all new 4-wheel design has a strong steel welded front axle
joined to a solid wood chassis with absolutely no rot, notice also both foot
brake and a parking brake.
Leaving nothing to chance Chris has employed a 'professional driver' for his
superb brand new design. Here they are in the testing session working out the
exact angle to enter the side slope for optimum performance:
What could possibly go wrong?
Crash:
Roll over:
All OK as debris moved off track:
Post race analysis
Under race conditions the side loading when mounting the slope obstacle was too
much for the thin rear axle. Bike axles are designed to be supported on both
sides, but this was only supported on one side:
Martyn: 'Turkey Boy'
Another from team Chaos and Mayhem.
Jake: 'Paul's Atrocity'
From the Chubbock Challenge team. Unfortunately Paul can't be with us today, so
he has given Jake the keys to his cart. However, he doesn't appear to have
fixed the previous lack of ground clearance flaw which caused him to crash
before:
Previously this cart has had difficult over ramps due to the low ground
clearance ... the suspension tester requires more ground clearance than anything
before, and Pauls's Disaster is taking lumps out of the surface:
He is not the only one, the blue paint scuffs are from another cart.
Tony: 'Amazing Tilting Cart'
From last year's winner, this mad design is brand new for 2019. Using a bicycle
peddle crank assembly to allow the cart to tilt in corners. There are two major
flaws with this:
- left hand wheel is much further forward than the right, making the
handling completely different between right and left turns;
- when stationary, if the driver takes his feet off the ground it falls
over!
Good luck keeping it on the track!
Probably the most amazing thing about the 'Amazing Tilting Cart' is that Tony
managed to get to the finish line TWICE, but also crashed on his third attempt:
Roger: 'First Responder Rog'
A brand new cart from team Chaos and Mayhem. This was built late on Saturday
from an old bike and wheelchair. Apparently Roger was presented with it after
Tractor Rog from last year was beyond saving. The handover went something like:
"this is yours, you are going to crash!"
Despite his team mates prediction, and much to their annoyance, 'First Responder
Rog' didn't crash.
In their haste, the team seem to have forgotten about the height restriction.
Harrison: 'Little-H'
Part of The Chubbock Challenge team it is a return of a young competitor, but he
has been ageing at 60 minutes per hour, so might not hold the record of
youngest any more.
Consistently one of the faster carts with no drama, just a whizz as Little-H
negotiates the route without drama. Little-H posted the third fastest time of
the day, a demonstration of how it should be done:
All three wheels off the ground as Little-H speeds over the 'suspension tester'
obstacle:
Patrick: 'The Cart with No Name'
This is an entry from last year, with a bit more rust. Patrick has always done
with this machine; he is a little bigger and stronger, but will his machine hold
up?
Braking is to say the least crude, but it works! Behind the driver is a springy,
rather rusty, steel sheet curved to a similar 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, but we suspect he might get a hot back on a
long hill.
The least scrappy part is the seat, made from an old aluminium bin lid. The
machine looks like it has been left in a hedge for a year, but still going
strong posting faster and faster times over the three runs:
David: 'Paul's Disaster'
Taking the see-saw with ease:
Rattled by the suspension tester:
After the battle, we need
WINNERS