Penny Farthing Races

The Penny Farthing Race will be raced with child sized tricycles, but with adult sized drivers. Each competing group must provide three participants: a Driver, and two people to push (called Engines). The race will be a timed ROAD COURSE, with pylons (of a sort) to navigate around and hazards. You will be timed from the starting line and the timer will stop at the finish line. Each penny farthing will get one run on the course, with the fastest times winning 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. In the event of a tie, a second run may be required. There will also be a design portion of the competition, with the judges deciding 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place on aesthetics alone.

Contestants:

Anyone is able to participate in the race, but you must have three people per team. One ticket per entrant is required to compete and only people 18 and over are allowed to be involved in the race itself.

Equipment Needed:

  • One functional CHILD-SIZED tricycle with Steampunk themed modifications. See below for rules governing design of the tricycle. Modification is not necessary, but you have the opportunity to take part in the design competition as well.
  • Goggles – each Driver and the Engines must have their own goggles due to the unpredictable nature of flying nerf darts.

Race Rules:

  • Each Driver will sit on their tricycle/penny farthing and can either keep their feet on the pedals or not. We recommend NOT.
  • Each Driver has two assisting persons to push the penny farthing. These assisting persons are referred to as Engines collectively. Each of the Engines will be allowed to use only one hand to help push their racer along. If either of the Engines uses more than one hand at a time they will be disqualified. Switching hands is allowed.
  • Goggles must be worn by each competing driver and both Engines while they are racing. Worn over the EYES. Because steampunk…
  • HAZARDS: I’m not sure what you did to them, but the people are armed with NERF guns and limited ammunition taking pot shots at the racers from various camping spots. Shooting back is NOT allowed. Any shots that hit the driver are null, but the first shot that hits either of the Engines will disable that Engine, forcing it to withdraw. After the loss of the first Engine, the remaining Engine will no longer be capable of being disabled. This will leave only one assisting Engine to complete the race, who may then use BOTH hands to assist.
  • SHIELDS: Everyone knows that a well prepared ship comes with both offensive and defensive measures. In our race, The Engines are allowed to use shields as protection from the enraged crowd. If you choose to use shields they must be no larger than 24 inches across, round or square. We recommend using foam core board or cardboard, rather than anything heavier or harder, just in case you drop one. This brings up the other point: The shields must be hand held. You may not strap them to your arm.

The Course:

  • The race will have at least two (possibly hairpin) turns.Practicing turns with your Engines is key. Remember, Engines may only use ONE hand to push.

 

Awards:

  • 1st Place Winner
  • 2nd Place Winner
  • 3rd Place Winner

Racer Design Rules:

  • Must be a CHILD SIZED penny farthing style (big front wheel, small rear wheels) where the front wheel is no larger than 16” diameter. Using a base tricycle from a Yard sale or leftover from your own child or childhood is of course allowed, but if you want to buy a new one, we recommend a Radio Flyer Classic Red Dual Deck Tricycle, or a Classic Flyer by Kettler 12” Tricycle.
  • Strengthening of the structure is allowed, but all sharp edges of any additional metalwork must be filed down, removed, or sanded.
  • No powered locomotion modifications are allowed.
  • Any artistic or stylistic modifications must be safe for the driver, Engines (pushers), judges and spectators.

Awards:

  • 1st Place Winner
  • 2nd Place Winner
  • 3rd Place Winner