Many of us are familiar with Pinewood Car Derbies.
Dad’s assist their children in designing and building a race car using a pine car derby kit and power tools.
I have many fond memories of watching my dad and brother build cars and racing them with our local troop.
Lego Derbies offer an alternative to pine car derbies (aka. pinewood derbies).
Using regulation wheels and an optional baseplate, kids create their own race cars out of LEGO® bricks or MEGA® BLOKS. They must build it to certain size dimensions and weight which are set in the rules & regulations for the race.
This enables kids to create custom cars of their own design without relying on mom or dad to help with power tools.
How does GA Area 2 run their Regional Lego Derby?
We use the MiniBrick Derby axle and wheel kits and their Track systems to run our Lego Derby Championship races.
Every car is required to use the 2.2 Ounce Wheel Kit (Two 2×6 bricks with steel axles installed, wheels, and attachment nuts) which is $4.59-$5.40 each depending on how many you order.
The 6×16 Nib Car Base (0.45 Ounces) is optional and costs $1.66-$1.95 each depending on how many you order.
You can view the full Rules & Specifications here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1L4KvnIZlbusQDzUQY1ibYaM7bP6-S-Z2/view
Here are some highlights:
Car weight can not exceed 5.0 ounces according to the official race scale. Width can not exceed 3 inches; length can not exceed 7 inches; height can not exceed 4 inches. No part of the car may protrude past the starting peg on the track. If your car does not meet these requirements, you may make modifications.
You may not cut, drill, bevel, groove, narrow, round, lathe, or otherwise modify the wheels. You may not add wheel bearings, washers, bushings, or any other wheel parts that are not part of the MiniBrick derby kit. You may not add springs or a suspension. No starting or propulsion devices may be added. No loose material of any kind, such as lead shot, may be used.
You may not use liquid lubricants or any wet or sticky material. Dry graphite is OK. ALL applications of dry graphite must be done before you register your car. (Note: This can be MESSY!!! And dark graphite will stain everything. Make sure to clean excess graphite off the car before you bring your car to register it. ABSOLUTELY NO GRAPHITE APPLICATION INSIDE THE BUILDING.)
Are you interested in hosting a Lego Derby for your Troop?
TLUSA Troop GA0594 has a 4 car Derby Magic race track that they lend out to other troops in the area. It requires that you have a laptop computer to use + a racing software (they have a copy you can download).
We highly recommend that you attend a Lego Derby race to be trained on how to use the software and how to run a Lego Derby. Or you can request that someone to come to help you run the derby (we can’t guarantee availability).
You can use the form below to request the use of the GA0594’s track.
These dates are taken but others are available:
- Saturday, January 25th – AHG GA0594, Buford
- Saturday, February 15th – TLUSA GA1613, Woodstock
- Wednesday, March 4th – TLUSA GA3106
- Saturday, March 7th – TLUSA GA2016, Winder
- Monday, March 16th – TLUSA GA0594, Buford
- Sunday, March 22nd – AHG GA0513, Sugar Hill
- Sunday, March 29th – TLUSA GA3723, Gainesville
- Saturday, April 18th – AHG GA3737, Acworth
Saturday, May 2nd, 2020 – Winder, GA – REGIONAL LEGO DERBY CHAMPIONSHIPS – View rules and specifications here.