DERBY DAYS
July 5
2025 Derby Days
We’re bringing the Derby Back to Fircrest!
We’re excited to bring the Derby back to the Fircrest community for the 2025 Centennial Celebration!
Our focus is on participation and fun—we want this to be an inclusive and memorable experience for everyone involved. Whether you’re racing, cheering from the sidelines, or helping behind the scenes, the Derby is all about community connection and good times in Fircrest.
Divisions:
- Creative Cruiser Class (home-built, non-traditional derby cars without Z-Glass wheels)
- Z-Class Racers (cars with Z-Glass Style Wheels)
Age Groups
- 5 – 6
- 7 – 10
- 11 – 14
- 15 – 17
- Open Class 18+ / Adult heat
Racing:
- All cars must start by gravity without aide from a standstill, at a starting line or a starting ramp on the track, positioned so that their foremost parts, or noses, are the starting points.
- Any necessary repairs as approved by the Race Director will be limited to twenty (20) minutes unless the Race Director determines more time is necessary for safety reasons.
- Drivers must stop their racer anytime an animal, person, or debris creates interference on the track. The phase is to be immediately rerun.
- A participant’s car may be raced by one other racer. (both racers must be registered with all forms signed and on file 24 hours prior to race day)
Car Inspection:
The following SAFETY items will be inspected: Weights, Brakes, Steering, and foam per respective car build plans. For driver safety, ensure proper helmet fit and function. Other inspection points will be identified prior to race inspection at the Race Director’s discretion.
Safety Requirements:
- All cars must be built to meet the highest safety standards.
- Each vehicle is required to pass a pre-race inspection conducted by race officials before being allowed on the course.
- Race officials reserve the right to inspect any car at any time during the event.
- If a car is deemed unsafe at any point, it may be removed from competition to ensure the safety of all participants.
Build Requirements:
The maximum distance from the nose of the floorboard or the to the kingpin center is 7 15/16”. The distance between the kingpins centers is 61 1/8” +/- 1/16”. (the kingpin is the bolt or rod that passes vertically through the center of the front axle, allowing it to rotate slightly for steering)
Weight Limitations:
Weight of an assembled Creative Cruiser or Z-Class car must not exceed three hundred (300) pounds.
Attire:
- Participants must wear adequate foot protection with a continuous sole while racing.
- Participants must wear a helmet in proper racing position.
- Participants must wear adequate and appropriate clothing.
General Conduct:
- Drivers should get plenty of practice behind the wheel — working on braking, steering, and handling the car. Race Day is meant for racing, not for a first-time drive!
- A participant, or member of the participant’s party, must not use, possess or distribute alcohol, tobacco or drugs.
- A participant or member of the participant’s party must not verbally or physically abuse and/or demonstrate unsportsmanlike conduct towards another participant, official and/or spectator.
- A participant or member of the participant’s party must not in any way endanger another participant, official and/or spectator.
- A participant or member of the participant’s party must not in any way obstruct or interfere with another participant’s car.
- A participant or member of the participant’s party, must not in any way attempt to gain an unfair advantage over another participant.
- A participant must not conceal or use any type of electronic and/or communication devices in his or her car while racing.
Race Officials:
- Render final decisions on all matters pertaining to the interpretation and enforcement of the rules
- Assess safety concerns to participants and/or spectators before, during and after the Local Race
- Oversee all repairs and setup changes that may be necessary
Fircrest Derby Day Build Requirements & Basic Safety
Encouraged: Creativity & Fun – Use recycled or repurposed materials – Design your car to reflect a theme—goofy, cool, wild, or weird—it’s all welcome!
Work as a team (family, friends, scout group, etc.) to build something unique – Remember: the goal is a fun and memorable experience, not just speed.
Size & Weight
Cars must meet the general size and weight requirements published by the City of Fircrest Parks & Recreation Department:
1. Maximum width: 5 feet, measured from the outermost points of the car.
2. Maximum length: 12 feet, including any bumpers or extended components.
3. Must be able to clear the ramp
4. Must pass inspection.
Braking
- Brakes: Cars must include a reliable braking system that can bring the car to a stop safely. Foot, hand, or friction-style brakes are allowed.
- Brakes must be able to hold the car when stationary.
Steering:
Steering mechanisms must be responsive and allow the car to stay within lane boundaries. Turning radius should be reasonable and stable (no sharp over-steering). Kingpin-style or other creative systems are allowed as long as they are safe and predictable. IMPORTANT: Front steering may only have a 1/2” gap in turn. Cars with a larger turning radius will be disqualified.
Steering Safety Tips
- Always limit how far wheels can turn to avoid flipping or oversteering.
- Secure all linkages with locking nuts or cotter pins.
- Test turning radius and return-to-center behavior before race day.
- Avoid steering designs that bind, wobble, or rub against the frame.
- Driver should practice multiple time behind the wheel braking, steering, etc. Race Day should NOT be the first time in the car driving.
Additional Build Requirements
- Padding & Edges: Please pad any hard edges inside the car where a driver might make contact. Sharp edges, glass, and unsecured decorations are not allowed.
- Spending limit: No more than $850 may be spent on the car, including materials and parts. This is to ensure fair competition and accessibility.
- Secure Construction: All parts must be firmly attached—no loose panels, bolts, or unsecured components. All materials used should be strong enough to safely carry the driver down the course.
- No Power Allowed: Cars must be gravity-powered only—no motors, pedals, or push assists once the race starts.
- Tow Eyebolts: A sturdy, large 1 inch eyebolt must be securely positioned at the front of the car to allow towing up the hill.
- Driver Identification: Drivers will be assigned numbers, which must be worn visibly on their uniforms. Numbers on the cars are for decoration and design purposes only and will not be used for identification.
- Cars must have a minimum of three wheels in contact with the track at all times for stability and safety.
- Cars must be powered solely by gravity—no kinetic energy storage, wind assistance, motors, pedals, or any form of propulsion is allowed.
- Cars must have functional brakes capable of bringing the vehicle to a complete stop in a controlled manner. Dragging feet or using body parts as brakes is prohibited (“Fred Flintstone” style braking is not allowed).
- Cars must be constructed to a workmanlike standard—all fasteners, welds, and structural components should be secure and durable. Unsafe or poorly constructed cars will not be allowed to race.
Prohibited Vehicles & Modifications
- No castering wheels
- Luge boards, skateboards, scooters, bicycles, or any similar wheeled devices do not qualify as derby cars and will not be permitted.
- No suspension systems, shock absorbers, or spring-loaded components that could provide an unfair advantage.
- No sharp or protruding objects that may pose a safety hazard to other participants or spectators.
- No offensive images or language on the car
Final Inspection & Compliance
- All cars will undergo a pre-race inspection to ensure compliance with these rules. Any car that does not meet the required standards will be disqualified from the competition.
- Any modifications made after inspection that violate the rules will result in immediate disqualification.
- Race officials have the final say on whether a car meets safety and design requirements.
- Build Smart, Race Safe!
