The Downhill Derby is very loosely based on the All-American Soap Box Derby held in Akron, Ohio each year (www.allamericansoapboxderby.com). There is also a Western Canada Soap Box Derby. However, our Downhill Derby track has left and right curves which requires the drivers to turn! In addition, the object of the Downhill Derby is to have fun without spending a lot of money on a car.

The Downhill Derby is a race (well not really). It is a chance for a lot of kids to have fun building cars and then running them down the track. Racers go down the track one at a time and race against the clock. Race times are recorded but everyone goes home a winner. Race day is fun for everyone. We eat a lot of Derby-style snacks and play some other Derby games. We may add age brackets in the future, but the drivers range in age from 5 to 15. See similar questions...

Check back with this website for online registration. 2008 registration will be available beginning in early 2008. We need all racers to register so that we prepare enough awards and other race materials. See similar questions...

Bring your derby car and any typical parts or tools (although Dan has a lot of tools, including a welder and duct tape) that you might need to make slight adjustments. Bring a bicycle helmet for the driver. Bring any special drinks you desire and a picnic lunch. Snacks will be provided throughout the afternoon. Also bring your camera/camcorder, sunglasses, sun screen, an umbrella (for sun and/or sprinkles) and some lawn chairs. See similar questions...

The track used for the Downhill Derby is rough asphalt (with a few cracks). It is slightly longer than 1/10 mile. The track is on a slightly sloping hill (3% grade). The track begins with a straight section, turns gradually to the left, then sharply to the right, and finally slightly to the left. The faster cars might be travelling at 18 mph by the time they reach the bottom of the track. See similar questions...

Several on both sides. First I don't recommend incurring the cost of a custom built car on your basic cars, such as cars for 77 and newer derbies. If you can still buy those cars for $0-$200, why worry about the body getting wasted. However, if you are looking to be competitive in the old iron classes, spending the money up front for a well built car that you can take things out of when you are done, including ideas, tips, and a ton of tricks, then give us a call. See similar questions...

On the other hand, the 2007 Nobel Prize in Medicine is awarded to three scientists “for their discoveries of principles for introducing specific gene modifications in mice by the use of embryonic stem cells.” Now that seems like contributing to humanity. [Just so we are clear: he didn’t use, but gave it to the patient.] See similar questions...

A cheap Excel can be purchased from the damaged vehicle auctions. Check out the auction web sites such as http://www.fowles.com.au . Alternatively 'The Trading Post' can sometimes have a bargain. The cars to aim for are the recovered stolen vehicles. Typically they sell for between $1400 and $3000 depending the damage. See similar questions...

GUI construction with Perl" is a modern treatment of what's involved in use of Perl/Tk. It specifically details how first-time Perl/Tk programmers can install Perl/Tk usefully. A made & installed perl (requires a C language compiler). You may need different versions of perl depending on which version of Tk you wish to run. A linkable Xlib (.o, .so, .a, etc.) for X-windows. Perl/Tk has been successfully built using various vendors' cc compilers, as well as with the free GNU gcc compiler. See similar questions...

No. Roller Derby is a real sport, just like hockey, rugby or soccer. Just like those sports, you can really get hurt. Also, as in wrestling, the fun, competitive, and aggressive nature of the sport lends itself well to rink side theatrics and drama that has nothing to do with the sport. This just adds to the fun and spectacle that is Roller Derby!! See similar questions...

The Widowers are our dearhearts: the men and women who don't play Flat Track Derby, but support the Rollergirls who do. Husbands, boyfriends, wives, girlfriends, family, and friends who listen to us talk Derby non-stop, volunteer their time or skills to help us put on our bouts, dry our tears, carry our gear, buy us beer, take our photos, and generally make us feel like they're our #1 fans. See similar questions...

Common sense is more important than previous knowledge. Quantums are designed with the home builder in mind, so only a very basic toolkit is assumed when preparing the kit. For instance, all holes over 10mm in diameter are drilled, and many fixing locations are scribe-marked into the mould - this ensures that every single car has tiny location markers in exactly the correct position. See similar questions...

This question comes up a LOT. Honestly, it is nearly a nightmare building your own car and I seriously discourage this for you first timers. It's a TON of work, it's VERY expensive to do right and you can FIND great bargains in used rally cars for sale. Most used cars often include spare parts, tons of them, and all the bits you will need to go racing. You will likely spend triple the money, and triple the time building your own car as you would purchasing one that's ready to go. See similar questions...

Work House To return to the page you were last looking at, please use "Back" on the toolbar If you have a query I haven't answered but you would like addressed, or a subject you think I should include something about, please email See similar questions...

Drive Shafts, Final and differential gears are made from EN24 hardened steel. Black chemi-coated to prevent corrosion. Everything else is CNC fashioned from aerospace grade, super-lightweight high strength, high sheen, non corroding aluminium alloy. See similar questions...

If you're on a flat surface the short answer is you can't. It's impossible to putt down hill on a flat surface or an incline. But although you can't practice a downhill putt as such, you can practice an inch perfect lag putt hundreds and hundreds of times an hour. See similar questions...

Put your rear foot into the strap. Push with the other foot into movement and put it into the front strap. Initial movement is the key to easy start. See similar questions...