Chris Kouba
Supporter
The Portland Adult Soapbox Derby returns to Mt Tabor on the third Sat in August this year (8/20), and I think I am signing up for the madness once again. Rumor has it the organizers are trying to get the current record holders to come run again this year for a true King of the Mountain battle. Time to find my A game.
In usual fashion, there have been some rule changes based on our participation. I'm not sure whether to be flattered or insulted... One of which is any given "team" can only enter two cars, which seals the record of the Scuderia being the first and only team to ever sweep the podium. Another new rule? Despite a very explicit rule about having legible numbers on your entry, you can't paint your cars in the same livery. Great.
The best new rule though is that our brakes, helmet, and all other safety gear is no longer included in the budget cap. This means I stand a chance of actually stopping in the braking zone. This is extremely motivating for me, so once again, I think a new build is in order.
To that end, the build has started:
So, "the build" doesn't look like much at this point, but I believe this hub will permit me to have a 17mm axle spinning a 16" tire/wheel combo wearing an actual disk brake. The wheels will be shorter and hopefully cause less aero drag while still being able to roll smoothly over any pavement roughness.
I am still debating layout and set up, but will likely be some version of the 2F/1R trike style. Goal is minimal cross section and drag with the ultimate goal of breaking the course record. We were at 71.9s last year and the record is 71.1s. Getting that last 0.8s will be quite a challenge.
This thread will likely develop slowly due to the other projects at the homestead. It is going to happen though, and I am looking forward to seeing where it goes.
If you're new to my involvement in this event, this is how the last ones went together and ran down the hill:
2017
2018
2019
2020 - cancelled
2021 - cancelled
In usual fashion, there have been some rule changes based on our participation. I'm not sure whether to be flattered or insulted... One of which is any given "team" can only enter two cars, which seals the record of the Scuderia being the first and only team to ever sweep the podium. Another new rule? Despite a very explicit rule about having legible numbers on your entry, you can't paint your cars in the same livery. Great.
The best new rule though is that our brakes, helmet, and all other safety gear is no longer included in the budget cap. This means I stand a chance of actually stopping in the braking zone. This is extremely motivating for me, so once again, I think a new build is in order.
To that end, the build has started:
So, "the build" doesn't look like much at this point, but I believe this hub will permit me to have a 17mm axle spinning a 16" tire/wheel combo wearing an actual disk brake. The wheels will be shorter and hopefully cause less aero drag while still being able to roll smoothly over any pavement roughness.
I am still debating layout and set up, but will likely be some version of the 2F/1R trike style. Goal is minimal cross section and drag with the ultimate goal of breaking the course record. We were at 71.9s last year and the record is 71.1s. Getting that last 0.8s will be quite a challenge.
This thread will likely develop slowly due to the other projects at the homestead. It is going to happen though, and I am looking forward to seeing where it goes.
If you're new to my involvement in this event, this is how the last ones went together and ran down the hill:
2017
2018
2019
2020 - cancelled
2021 - cancelled
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