Nerf Gun question

[Sharon Mehl]

Do we have any specs yet on the nerf gun challenge ... 

1. Do we MOUNT the nerf gun?  If so, is there any info on the height at which it should be mounted?
2. Is the nerf gun challenge done DURING the drive, or will we basically STOP ... shoot ... and go on?
3. Is it during the drag race or the endurance race? or is it during more than one?
4. Limits on number of ammunition allowed?
5. Limitations on use of compressed air?
6. Specific types of darts to use?
7. Laser guidance?
8. Remote control?
9. Sniper scope?
10. Use of a sabot?
11. How will you determine scoring between teams? Teams "decorate" their own darts?

So is everyone gearing up for the Kansas City Maker Faire?   We're here at CCCKC enjoying some Kansas City BBQ!

Sharon

Duct Tape & Zip Ties Racing team in conjunction with CCCKC

[PS1 Patrick Callahan]

The nerf gun challenge will require you to shoot target as you go around the track.  You do not need to mount the gun, but that might provide stability.

How you hit your targets is up to you. Hitting it on the move will be difficult but save time, hitting while stationary improves accuracy but will hurt your time. 

The targets will be nets about 1 foot in diameter, placed around the track. Height will be somewhere between 3 and 6 feet off the ground. 

There are two nerf gun challenges. The first nerf gun challenge will be during qualifying.  You are timed as you go around the track while shooting three targets. You MUST hit all three, and cross the finish line.  The second is for the drag race. Its the same elimination style as last year but now you must shoot targets as you race. He/She who hits the most targets while drag racing wins, in the likely event that both hit the same number of targets then the first to cross the line wins.

In in interest of keeping things equal we are only allowing N-Strike style ammo. It appears that off brand dart guns can also fire this ammo as well. Please bring your own ammo. We will bring a few extras, but keep in mind nerf ammo is easy to lose.

No limit on how your gun is constructed, it could be a stock gun or a custom gun. 

No limit on number of ammunition.

No limit on compressed air.

No limit on lasers.

No limit on remote control.

No limit on sniper scopes.

No limit on sabots, but I don't think that would be necessary. 

Feel free to decorate your ammo.

[Tom Gralewicz]

Not much of a drag race, if speed doesn't matter.

You could add to the fun and say:  If you loose the race but hit more targets than your opponent you both move on to the next round.

That way we will have lots of drag races and people and formulate strategies.

How far are the targets going to be from the track?  What range do we need to deal with?

--
Tom Gralewicz
Miller Electronics Recycling
(414) 380-1716
www.deadcomputers.com

[PS1 Patrick Callahan]

Speed does matter. Its just not the only thing that matters. 

You will get paired with vehicles of similar speed and if you're so fast you miss your targets, you can loose the race. There is race strategy in that you need to find a balance between accuracy and speed. If pink trike does a standing 50 yard dash in 5 seconds but misses all the targets, then you could lose to baby burrito who could hit all the targets with ease. The strategy would be to dial it down and hit your targets. If you get paired with Sector 67 in their car from last year, you wouldn't want to dial it down too much or else they may hit their targets and pass you.

You will have to size up your opponents. How fast can they drive? How well can they shoot? How fast can I drive? How fast can I shoot? Will shooting my opponent distract them enough to make them miss? Do I have enough ammo to do that?

For the drag race the targets will be evenly space through out the straight away. The range will depend on track layout.

[Tom Gralewicz]

If your opponent misses the first targer, then it doesn't matter if you take 10 minutes.  With targets an absolute it makes speed almost irrevelant.

It means you have to hit every target every time.  Miss any target and you loose the race.

How about a time penalty for each missed target?

[Brisk]

Are we limited to one gun?

[Brandon]

Again guys/gals... It's better to ask for forgiveness than permission. Please build something that will dominate, push the rules, and make other teams jealous they didn't think of it. Now, if PPPRS says one gun only, I'll have to remove 27 guns off my new car.

-Brandon

[Jim Burke]

Brandon has the spirit.

Keep in mind there's only 2 things the nerf guns will count as actual points for: the qualifying lap and the drag race.

Also keep in mind I'd like for everyone to not abuse the nerf guns on the track. They're great for moxie.

Just don't shoot each other too much, k?

[Jim Burke]

Actually Tom, that can work for the drag race. Let me sit down with Patrick and we can review a few scenarios to see if it works out.

However, I do like having the qualification round to be a challenge of balancing speed and accuracy. Plus it mixes up the field for the heats.

BTW no weapons for the heats except for the moxie round. The heats are by far the most well received by the crowd already. No need to fix what ain't broke. 

[Sean Denny]

"Moxie Round"?

[Jim Burke]

The 15 lap event is split into 4 races this year:

The field is split into 2 qualifying heats of 15 laps.

Based on how you finish those races you'll be placed into two finals:

One 15 lap event comprising of the fastest vehicles
One 15 lap event comprising of the slowest.

The slowest vehicles will be allowed to moxie it up.
The fastest can be allowed to moxie, but have the primary focus of racing to win.

I did this because A) people last year requested moxie have more weight and B) I wanted more races so the crowd had more reasons to stick around.