(1982)

Problem

Design a vehicle which will travel down an incline, will launch itself from a ramp, clear a 3 inch wall that is 6-feet from the ramp edge, land in a target zone (at the same elevation as the top of the ramp_ and travel along a straight section of track (level with the target zone). The straight section will end with a second ramp. See diagram. The furthest distance traveled (best of 3 tries) will win.

Constraints

1. Vehicle must be mechanically powered (no chemical power, no electrical power, no compressed gas).
2. Vehicle must be 1 pound or less in weight and can be of any size or shape.
3. Vehicle must weigh the same at the finish as at the start.
4. Vehicle must be built from stock materials and must be of our own design.
5. The trace is 1-3/4 feet wide unfinished plywood.
6. The vehicle can start anywhere along the starting zone.
7. Vehicle must start under its own power, i.e.; the vehicle cannot be pushed or thrown to start it.
8. No additional parts may be placed on the track.
9. The ramp is at a 30-degree incline. The transition to the ramp is a curved piece of plywood with a radius of curvature of 2 feet.
10. The vehicle must not make contact with the track from the top of the ramp to the 3-inch wall.
11. The target zone is 6 feet long starting at the right side of the 3-inch wall (as seen in the diagram).
12. After the target zone, the vehicle travels along a straight section. The vehicle must stay on the track after the target zone.
13. At the end of the straight section is a ramp at a 45-degree slope. The transition to the ramp is a curved piece of plywood with a radius of 2 feet.
14. Each try must be within 2 minutes of the judge's signal to begin.