Ranger Derby is a wood car racing event where boys, leaders, and others build model cars from specified wooden car kits and race against each other on a multilane track. Derbies are commonly held at the outpost or district level and may involve parents or other family members as well as other groups within the church. Some outposts use Ranger Derby as an outreach event to connect with boys and families in their community.
The following guidelines and specifications are used at national and regional Royal Rangers derby events and are recommended for use by districts and outposts, although some modification is allow provided the changes are clearly communicated in advance. Please contact your race coordinator for details concerning rules and specifications for your race.
- A contestant may enter only one car per racing class
- Once a car has been registered and checked-in, no further work may be done to it. A place should be designated to lubricate and work on cars before they are registered
- Car Specifications: In order to be eligible for competition (either racing or workmanship), a car must fit on and roll down the track without interfering with any other car. Cars (except those entered in the unlimited class) must meet the following specifications. Check the kit block before you start to make sure that it does not exceed any of the requirements.
- Maximum Length (including all attachments): 7 1/2"
- Maximum Width: 2 3/4"
- Maximum Height: 3"
- Maximum Weight: 5 1/2 oz. (156 grams)
- Minimum Under-Car Clearance: 3/8"
- Minimum Distance Between Wheels: 1 3/4"
- Car Kits: Ranger Derby cars may be made from any Ranger Derby kit sold by My Healthy Church or from other kits that meet the specifications listed above. The contestant must use the parts provided in the kit for their intended use.
- Weights: The contestant may add weights to the car in order to bring the car to the maximum allowed weight. Weights must be an integral part of the car. They may be placed inside the block, mounted as an ornament, or be otherwise permanently attached. Weights may not be taped or set on a car. If weights or any other part of a car comes off during a heat, the heat will be re-run. If the same car or parts leave the track again, the car is disqualified from racing. No heat/race will be delayed while repairs are made.
- Competition Classes: The following racing and non-racing classes are recommended. Contact your race coordinator to determine classes available for your race:
- Ranger Kids
- Discovery Rangers
- Adventure Rangers
- Expedition Rangers
- Leaders
- Unlimited - see below for details
- Open - see below for details
- Grand Champion - see below for details
- Workmanship/Design (non-racing)
- Unlimited Class: As the name implies, this is a class in which you can use all your ingenuity and imagination; however, you must use the parts in the kit for their intended purpose. The class is open to anyone who enters any of the other classes. There are a few simple rules to follow. All other Royal Rangers Ranger Derby rules apply:
- The car must be made from an authorized Ranger Derby kit (see rule 4) using all the parts for their intended purpose.
- The car may not be entered in another class.
- Standard specifications listed in rule 3 are waived; however, the car must fit on the track and run on the track without interfering with other cars (see rule 2).
- No car shall weigh more than 32 oz. (908 grams).
- No car may exceed 12" in length.
- Open Class: This class is open to any family member of a person entering classes A through E. All rules apply. There may be more than one open class depending on the number of entries.
- Grand Champion: All first through third place winners in each racing class, except unlimited class, may compete in the final racing after all other races are completed. This competition will be called "Grand Champion."
- Workmanship/Design: Each contestant may enter one car in this event per racing class they enter. It does not have to be the same car entered in the racing class, but it must meet the same qualifications (fits on and is able to roll down the track, see rule 2) as cars entered in the racing classes. The judges will not converse while judging. Any comments will be written and consist of the car number and score, using the "Workmanship Judging Scoring Sheet." (A sample form is available in the Leader’s Resources track of TRaCclub.). Score sheets will be given to the officer in charge as soon as a judge has completed judging. These are the areas to judge the cars in:
- Originality: Was the design the idea of the artist? How much creative thought went into the design? (Score 0-20)
- Craftsmanship: The skill the artist showed in cutting, carving, sanding and detailing the car. Did the artist make the car's extra ornaments, or were they something bought and attached? (Score 0-50)
- Color and Appearance: What is the outward appearance? Is the painting of the car appealing? Are the color and paint even all over? Is the appearance pleasing to the eye? (Score 0-30)
Additional information on Ranger Derby, including tips on car building & design and participant certificates, can be found in the Leader's Resources track of TRaCclub.