Layout for the main event
The area you will need should be smooth level asphalt. Swept clean of debris. You can use a leaf blower or a broom.
All lanes are 12 ft wide. I like to get a 12 ft. inexpensive piece of plastic pipe for gaging the width of the lanes.
You will need an area with at least a 250 ft straight for the acceleration and speed run and wheelie tests.
You will need at least 12 corner cones. You can add additional cones to clarify the course if desired, but there will be 12 cones in play during the agility course runs. The easiest way to layout the course is with chalk ( or paint, with permission from your school) the machine used for the fields of your schools sporting events would be perfect. Or they sell spray cans and a handle designed for that purpose where you purchase construction supplies.
I am going to recommend to CEF that the speed run be a distance of 200ft, with the extra 50ft for safe braking and shut down. You can expect speeds of well over 30 mph.
At your facility, if possible, you can have the back straight of your agility course be a part of the 250 ft straight of the other events. Remember, when you are ready to do your runs, see if you can get your local police department to verify the speeds with their radar guns.
For the agility course, you will need a flat area 120 ft X 72 ft. I know this may be hard to find.. some undulation in the surface will not hurt, but you want to find an area where the surface is not broke up too much. If there are cracks in the surface, it will not hurt… but try to layout the track so major cracks line up on the edges of the lane of your layout. You don’t want any areas where the surface cracks are pushed up to interfere with the vehicle at speed. The same goes for light poles. If you have no choice… layout your track so that the poles are in neutral areas of the track. You may also want to protect you vehicle by putting a barrier of some sort around the poles.
If you can, lay out the track in a 12 ft square grid pattern (120 ft X 72 ft.) to help you get started quickly. (a carpenters Chalk line is all you would need)
All turns and pivot points of the track will be on either a 12 ft mark, or a 6 ft mark.(put a line on your gage at 6ft. for reference) Karl is finishing up the layout for the agility course.
You will need some type of raised surface for a drivers stand. The bed of a truck is the simplest way. Be sure the keys are removed from the ignition during this time.
The height of an average truck bed is just right for good visibility of the courses. The position for the drivers stand will be marked on the layout. For the other events (Wheelie, Acceleration, Braking and Speed Run), Drivers will be positioned at the start line.
You can start looking for this area as soon a possible and hopefully even laying out your grid in anticipation of getting the official agility course layout.
If any of your students already own RC Cars or trucks. Practicing with these on the courses will definitely help.
Remember Safety first… if there is more than one vehicle in the area, make sure there will not be any frequency issues.
Here are some additional points of info for you to check out. These have great technical sections also.
www.rcdriver.com They also have a great magazine.
www.rccaraction.com They also have a great magazine.
www.rctech.net
www.hobbytalk.com
