Annual Squirrel Box Derby – May 26-27, 2012 (Races begin at 1:30pm)

Our 6th Annual Squirrel Box Derby is just one of many venues, during our White Squirrel Festival. This gravity race is the only legal opportunity in Brevard where you can try to break the speed limit down Jailhouse Hill! All vehicles are hand built and decorated to please the crowd, as well as designed for speed. Contestants competed for trophies for the fastest critter and the nuttiest design.  In addition, businesses fight to win the overall Golden Nut Trophy, which combines speed and design.

Come watch the thrills down Jailhouse Hill!

Race Schedule
The Derby takes place during the White Squirrel Festival.

Saturday – May 26:  Ages 8-11 years and Ages 12-17 years

9:00am-10:00am    Registration/Inspection – Participant Set-up (8-11 years, 12-17 years)
9:00am-9:45am      Memorial Day Parade
10:00am-11:00am   Finish Line Safety set-up
10:00am-10:30am   Line-up display/judging
10:00am-11:00am   Memorial Presentation of the Wreath
11:00am-12:30pm  Trial Runs
12:30pm-1:30pm    Lunch Break
1:30pm-6:30pm      Races
6:45pm                  Awards Ceremony (West Main Street Stage)
6:30pm-7:00pm      Breakdown

Sunday – May 27:  Ages 18+ years and Businesses

10:00am-11:00am  Registration/Inspection – Participant Set-up (18+ years and Businesses)
11:00am-11:30am  Line-up display/Judging
11:30am-12:30pm Trial Runs
12:30pm-1:30pm   Lunch Break
1:30pm-5:30pm     Races
5:45pm                 Awards Ceremony (West Main Street Stage)
6:00pm-7:00pm     Total Breakdown

Parking and Registration Information

For Saturday race:

1) Registration will take place in the College Plaza parking lot on French Broad/North Broad Street.

2) Parking for all registrants/families is available in the side parking lot of the College Plaza on French Broad Street.  Please do not park in the north end of the College Plaza or First United Methodist Church’s parking lots—that is reserved for their business customers.

For Sunday race:

1) Registration will take place on the corner of French Broad/North Broad Street in the College Plaza parking lot.

For more information call Heart of Brevard 828.884.3278

In order to continue to keep safety our #1 priority, here are some guidelines, as you begin designing your entry for May 2012:

Note:  Race course has been extended

• Braking System: must affect a minimum of 2 of the 4 wheels that are on the ground. We do not recommend that you have two independent brake “pedals” for the primary system. The dominant hand/foot may cause the vehicle to start spinning. *We strongly encourage having a back-up breaking system.
• Steering System: must affect 2 of the 4 wheels that are on the ground.  Try to design to prevent over-steering that can lead to flipping over.
• To protect the head and/or prevent falling out: a DOT-approved helmet is MANDATORY. We HIGHLY RECOMMEND a roll bar/cage or designing the back of the kart so that it is higher than the driver’s head (in case the kart flips). We REQUIRE a safety belt/restraint.
• Towing Capacity: we are REQUIRING that you include towing hooks (eye screws) both at the back and front ends for towing up Jailhouse Hill.
• The propulsion of the derby car is solely driven by gravity. Spring-loaded and shifting, or artificial starting devices are not allowed.
• Driver cannot have contact with the ground or wheels from inside the derby car.

Other Entry Requirements:

• Overall footprint dimensions cannot exceed 32 square feet.
• Wheel base needs to be wider than the height of the vehicle body. *This does not include lightweight safety apparatus (i.e. roll bar, windshield.
• Total maximum weight (driver & vehicle):  250 lbs. (ages 8-11), 350 lbs. (ages 12 and above).
• Hand-built and must incorporate some form of bodywork.

Besides the mandatory DOT-approved helmet, we REQUIRE that drivers wear gloves, long-sleeved shirts/jackets, long pants, and closed-toe shoes. We encourage children and youth to wear elbow pads, as well. Major road burn can be avoided with proper clothing.

(Standard derby kit cars will need modification to meet our safety standards. We encourage you to create your own design).

Don’t forget those creative designs for the nuttiest category!

NO ALTERATIONS/ADDITIONS/DELETIONS CAN BE MADE TO THE VEHICLE ONCE IT PASSES INSPECTION (EXCEPTIONS FOR SAFETY WILL HAVE TO BE CLEARED WITH THE EMERGENCY SAFETY DIRECTOR AND HEART OF BREVARD EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR).

For more information…Download the 2012 Derby Safety Guidelines.. Derby applications ready early April.

Adult & Business application fees go to the Brevard Rescue Squad!