This Is Buzz:

Buzz is our Race Announcer and he had quite a job trying to keep track of all those

cars as they tried to complete their 7 laps. He may have gotten a little sunstroke or something, because

he started calling everyone by different names, and making up new ones for Joey for every race.

We got him a scissor lift, and of course he took it all the way up, the full 30 feet.

He terrified every cameraman that went up there with him.

Wired Magazine Post about the 2012 Races

We didn't even know that Wired Magazine had written about our race until this week.

http://www.wired.com/playbook/2012/05/whimsical-builders-race-pedal-cars-on-death-defying-figure-8/

Old English

I know that I watched this video a bunch last year, and laughed almost as much as when we raced.
A pedalcar "race" from England from the 1960's, there are some brilliant vehicles in here.
check it out:

http://www.britishpathe.com/video/pedal-car-race-aka-pedalcar-marathon

Mystery Pedal Car seen in Los Angeles!!!

Our friend Lane from Cetma Cargo Bikes spotted this cute little pedal car

somewhere on the streets of Los Angeles, and shared this with us. A clever little

machine that appears to be comprised of at least 3 kids bikes and an old chair.

If anyone knows more about this car please let us know, and if anyone knows the builder,

let him/her know about Maker Faire! We would love to race this machine.

Thanks to Lane.

You can see Lane's cargo bikes at :cetmacargo.com

Pedal Car Guidelines

This is a description of the requirements for the Pedal Cars. Application form will follow soon.

CART RESTRICTIONS:
Four wheels. Single seater. Must have brakes! No larger than 50"wide x 70"long wheelbase. Your pedal car body can not be more than 4" wider and 20" longer than your wheelbase. You may not race a stock store bought vehicle. No sharp edges. Nothing designed to harm other racers or vehicles. The goal here is fun! RACING RULES: Race winner is the first one to complete the designated number (7 or 8) of death defying figure 8 laps.
Poor sportsmanship will not be tolerated. You must wear a helmet! And, have fun! RACING FORMAT: The primary race will be the Death Defying Figure 8 race. Depending on race day realities ie; available space and number of cars on site. We may have time trial drag races on the slalom course and straight track and/or an "everyone in" oval track rally. The goal - to have fun! ON RACE DAY: There will be a brake and steering test on race day. (You and your vehicle must arrive and register on Friday, 5/17) Your car must complete a short slalom course and be able to stop in the designated stopping zones. The Race Official will have the final say if the vehicle does not meet the safety requirements of the death defying challenge. OTHER INFO: There will be a race official. He/she will have the final say. There will be a pit area provided for each vehicle.
There will be a dunk tank... The goal here is Fun!

Please also follow our tumblr page.

http://funbikeunicornclub.tumblr.com/

Our Mascot:

A special thanks goes out to William Smith for the drawings that you see of this fine unicorn.

He is another of the fine artists that live in our community, check out more of his stuff:

www.williamsmithart.com

Pedalcars built by the Santa Rosa Chapter for the 2012 Death Defying Figure Eight Pedal Car Races at the bay area Maker Faire!

Todd Barricklow's #3: one wheel drive, one wheel disc brake.

Started life as a three wheel bicycle, inner hub 3 speeds.

Arn Anderson's Bunny Fluffer Racer: an amazing combination

 of reclaimed parts and  built from scratch elements, removable bodywork.

Jann Samuels: our only female builder in 2012, this is an

incredibly lightweight, fast machine. Dual front disc brakes.

Klaus Rapensperger's:  Sederholm Speedster, fast and wide, dual rear drive

and dual rear disc, all wheels are 26".

Joshua Thwaites's: Little Buddy racer. Two bastards were welded

together in the middle, one wheel drive and one wheel coaster brake.

This was the overall winner at Maker Faire 2012. Front half was a 

WRFF trike, rear was a bolt on trike rear end.

Joey Castor's: Son of ..... There is so much to say about this machine...

Tube frame, under-frame steering (kind-of), chain tension problems that were remedied by

holding the chain up with his fingers while driving, he was as much an obstacle as a racer sometimes.

Dan Kjeldsen's: # 17 racer. Built around a recycled Tricycle frames and scraps.

One coaster brake and one hand-caliper. Removable garbage can hood for extra style.

Kelly Cowan's: Carsophagus.  Plywood, the steering from an old go-cart, some plastic

rims, and the freewheel chain system that was going around that year.

This shot is from the Maker Faire 2012 races. Todd's #3, Dan's #17, and the Steamroler!

All together now.