AWANA Grand Prix Rules
Clubbers and Youth
I. GENERAL RULES: (Applies to all Race Events)
G-1. Qualification: All registered Awana Sparks and T&T clubbers may design, build and enter cars that are eligible to participate in the annual “Awana Grand Prix" event. Additionally there will be a separate race for Junior High, Senior High, and Open (adults and any other interested individuals).
G-2. Essential Materials: All cars entered shall be constructed from the "Official Awana Grand Prix Car Kit" (referred to below as the kit). Kits will be available during Awana nights and at church on Sundays. Refer to the list of important dates for when kits will be available.
G-3. Competition Groups: There will be five competition groups: Sparks, T&T Adventure, T&T Challenge, Junior High, Senior High, and an Open Division. The number of competition groups may change, depending upon the number of racers that enter.
G-4. Competition Events: There will be two competition events, “Speed” and “Design”.
- Speed Event – This will consist of a single round for each racing group. The 3 fastest finishers, based on cumulative time, will receive trophies. If a race group has a large number of racers, a 2nd round of the fastest racers may be used to determine the trophies.
- Design Event – All cars will be evaluated for Representation (how well the car resembles what it is meant to be), Originality, Creativity, and Kid Input (the effort that the clubber made in building the car).
G-5. "New Work": Construction of ALL entries MUST have begun AFTER the start of the current Awana year.
G-6. Adult Assistance: With the exception of the Open Division race, this is a joint child/adult project. As such, the child is to participate in the design and construction of his/her car to best of their ability. The adult is to provide guidance and assistance only as needed.
G-7. Attendance: Each racer MUST enter his/her own car. This means that the racer must be present at registration to enter his/her car into competition.
G-8. Single Entry per Person: Only one car may be registered per racer participating in the Grand Prix.
G-9. Race Day Inspection and Registration: Each racer must submit his/her car during the race day registration period. (However, see G-10.)
G-10. Failure to Pass Inspection: The Check-in Judges shall disqualify cars that do not meet the rules as described herein. If a car does not pass inspection, the owner will be informed of the reason his/her car did not pass. Cars that fail the race day inspection will only have until the end of the registration period to make any necessary modifications; otherwise, the car will not be allowed to compete in the speed event.
G-11. Car Numbers: Racers will have the option of choosing a number for their car, from 1 to 100, on a first-come-first-served basis. Racers that do not chose a car number will have one assigned to them. The car number should appear clearly on the top front of the car, at a minimum.
G-12. Impound: Once a car passes the check-in inspection, it will be impounded. No car may be altered in any way after it has passed the check-in inspection. However, if a car breaks during the race or does not cross the finish, the Race Coordinator may direct that repairs be conducted. Any car that is repaired or tuned up will need to go back through the check-in inspection.
II. GRAND PRIX RACE CAR DESIGN STANDARDS
T-1. Materials: Race cars shall be constructed for this event from the parts contained in the Official Awana Grand Prix Kit (referred to below as the kit) as sold by Awana Clubs International. Materials from the kit may not be replaced, but “Add-On's” may be used. The Race Coordinator will have spare wheels and axels, if the ones from the kit are misplaced or get damaged.
T-2. Axles: The axles shall be firmly affixed to the wood of the car body, but use of the pre-made 'axle grooves' in the wood block is not required. One-piece axles (e.g. Pinecar axles) and nails (e.g. BSA axles) are not allowed.
T-3. Wheels: Wheel treatment (hub and tread smoothing and polishing) may not result in substantial removal of mass nor in reducing the tread width (track contact) from the original kit wheels. Wheel diameter is to be no less than 1.17 inches and wheel width is to be no less than 0.36 inches (back edge to sidewall, not including the thickness of the sidewall lettering), according to the wheel inspection go/no-go gauge. Wheel tread surface must be cylindrical (not rounded, beveled, cupped, etc.). The words "Awana Grand Prix” on the wheel face shall remain intact and clearly visible to the inspector. All wheels are not required to touch the track surface.
T-4. Weight: Race cars may weigh no more than five (5.00) ounces (total weight) as determined on the official scale during the inspection and registration periods. The official scale will be available at the workshops and during race day registration.
T-5. Car Dimensions (as determined by the official gauges during check-in inspection):
- Wheel Distance: Approximately 1.75 inches between the wheels.
- Overall Width: Not exceeding 2.75 inches.
- Overall Length: Not exceeding 7.0 inches.
- Overall Height: Not exceeding 5.0 inches.
- Maximum Nose Height: Not to exceed 1.25 inches.
- Chassis Clearance: 3/8 inch minimum is recommended. Any car with less of a clearance will be checked on the track to ensure that there will not be any interference with the track.
T-6. Weights and Attachments: Weights and attachments may be added to the car and will be considered part of the car for purposes of all measurements. Weights and attachments are considered to be any material on the car that is not provided in the kit. All weights and attachments must be securely fastened to the car, i.e. by permanent glue, nails or screws, but not by "sticky substances", i.e. tape or tack spray. Weights and attachments shall be passive (i.e. non-moveable, non-magnetic, non-sticky, etc.).
T-7. Unacceptable Construction: The following may NOT be used in conjunction with the wheels or axles: bearings, washers, bushings, hubcaps, inserts, or sleeves. Materials that would pose a hazard (e.g. mercury), with the exception of lead weights, are prohibited. It is recommended that any lead weights be incased in the car or covered by paint.
T-8. Gravity Powered: The car shall not ride on any springs or suspension system, and it must be free-wheeling. The race car may not be constructed or treated in such a way that the track's starting mechanism imparts momentum to the car (e.g. sticky substances on the front of the car and protrusions which may catch on the starting pin.)
T-9. Lubrication: Upon check-in, lubricants must not be dripping, falling out or otherwise be messy. Any excess lubrication is to be wiped off prior to check-in, so as not to foul the track. There will be a “Pit Area” set up at the race for application of all lubricants, as these can be quite messy. Once the car passes inspection and is impounded, no further lubrication will be allowed. One exception will be if a car does not cross the finish line during a heat.
T-10. Staging: No part of the car may protrude beyond or over the leading (uphill) edge of the starting pin. The uphill edge of the starting pin is the starting line, and no part of the car may be over the plane of the starting line prior to the start of the race.
T-11. Car Repair: Within reason, and to be decided by Race Officials, if a car experiences breakage during a race, the racer and their adult partner may be allowed a quick repair of the car to enable the child’s continued participation.