Schedule

SD 60 Go-Kart Rodeo: Official Schedule

Date: Friday, May 29

Time: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Location: Dr. Kearney Middle School, Shop and Field Area

This schedule is highly optimized for maximum competition time and a prompt 3:00 PM dismissal to meet the regular school bus schedule. Opening events in the morning run in parallel to each other in order to minimize waiting time.

Manual GoKart Schedule

Rodeo Schedule

Autonomous Kart Schedule

Rodeo Schedule

Important Event Notes

Safety First: The Technical Fabrication Inspection is a strict Pass/Fail event. Any kart failing the safety requirements will not be allowed on the track until the issues are remediated.
Spectators: Spectators are encouraged to attend, especially during the Open Run Challenge (12:30 PM–2:30 PM). Please remain behind all marked safety barriers at all times.

Manual GoKart Competition Categories

The Rodeo consists of three major challenges, with multiple scoring opportunities designed to reward fabrication, tuning, and driving skill.

1. Technical Fabrication Inspection (The Shop Test)

This is the mandatory safety gateway and the core test of craftsmanship. Karts must pass all safety checks to compete.

Mandatory Safety Pass (Non-Negotiable): Checks include secure seating, functional harnesses/seat belts, verified wheel tightness, suitable steering linkage, and secure roll cage structure.
Fabrication Quality (Precision Welding): Points awarded for joint fit-up, weld consistency, and structural reinforcement.
Aesthetic Quality (Professional Finish): Points for surface finish, clean wiring/cabling, and overall professional presentation.
Verification Trial (Operational Safety): The team's fastest time during the mandatory 3-lap track trial immediately after inspection.

2. Group Sled Fabrication & Stress Test Challenge

This event demands rapid problem-solving and places the maximum load on the drivetrain and frame.

Sled Fabrication (Efficient Design): Teams have 60 minutes to build a hitch/sled. Points awarded for the lightest finished sled and aesthetic quality of the design.
Stress Test Pull (Torque & Durability): Karts pull a weighted sled around a distant turnaround marker and back. Points awarded for the fastest successful transit time.

3. The Open Run Challenges (Parallel Timed Trials)

Karts run concurrently between four separate track stations, with the team's best recorded time at each station counting toward the final score. This tests the vehicle's versatility and the driver's precision.

The Endurance Circuit: Reliability Run (Inspired by Formula 1/Endurance Racing)
- Skill Tested: Consistent power, thermal management, and bolt security over sustained duration.
- Focus: Can the kart run fast repeatedly without failure?
- Design Focus: Incorporate one minor, repeatable stress element (a shallow bump or low curb) per lap to test fatigue resistance.
The Autocross Slalom: Precision Challenge (Inspired by Autocross/Gymkhana)
- Skill Tested: Steering efficiency, quick chassis response (yaw), and geometric tuning (Toe-out).
- Focus: Agility and driver control.
- Design Focus: Unpredictable sequences including 180-degree turnarounds and a "Yaw Box" (quick left-right-left) to test immediate steering response.
The Rallycross Gauntlet: Mixed-Surface Test (Inspired by Rallycross Joker Lap)
- Skill Tested: Drivetrain torque application on low-traction surfaces and strategic decision-making.
- Focus: Managing power on gravel, dirt, or sand.
- Design Focus: A course featuring two distinctly different surfaces (e.g., pavement and loose gravel). Include a mandatory "Joker Lap"—an alternate route that drivers must use once to test strategic decision-making.
The High-Speed Lateral G-Force Test (Inspired by Baja 1000)
- Skill Tested: Lateral stability and effective low Center of Gravity (CG) under dynamic cornering forces.
- Focus: Cornering speed without tipping or sliding.
- Design Focus: A short, high-speed chicane (a sequence of quick, opposing turns) or a large-radius skidpad circle. Penalties are given for exceeding track boundaries or skidding.

For the safety of all participants, a designated Spectator Zone will be clearly marked on the field. Please remain behind all barriers and refrain from entering the Pit Area or the competition track zones. Track activity will be visible between 12:15 PM and 2:15 PM.

Autonomous Vehicle Stream: Safety Checks and Competition

The Autonomous Vehicle Stream (AVS) runs parallel to the manual events, providing a clear pathway for robotics and control systems focused teams. The competition events are specifically tailored to test programming reliability and sensor integration.

1. Safety and Fabrication Inspection (A-PASS)

Autonomous vehicles must meet all general fabrication standards, but since human operators are prohibited from riding the vehicle, the safety focus shifts from driver protection to component and electrical safety.

Fabrication and Safety Requirements:

Roll Cage / Seat: The roll cage and human seat requirement is waived.
Kill Switch (Mandatory Check): The vehicle must have a clearly marked, easily accessible, and functional emergency kill switch (E-stop) that instantly cuts power to the drive motors. This must be operable by a human operator and a spotter.
Fabrication Standard (Component Security): All sensors, computers, and battery packs must be securely mounted to the chassis to prevent vibration damage or displacement.
Safing for Maintenance (Power Isolation): The system must be able to be "safed"—meaning the power leads to the Electronic Speed Controllers (ESCs) must be physically disconnected and verified non-functional before any maintenance can occur.
Control Demonstration (Verification Routine): Teams must prove basic motor and steering control by executing the routine: Drive Forward 10 feet, Stop, Turn 180 degrees, and Return to the start line using pre-programmed commands (no sensors).

2. Competition Trials

Basic Control Demonstration (Morning Trial)

(Runs concurrently with the Manual Karts' Verification Trial: approx. 8:45 AM – 9:45 AM)

The Course: The team must program the kart to autonomously navigate a precise square or rectangular loop marked with cones or tape.
Scoring Focus: Reliability (completing the full circuit without human intervention) and Precision (avoiding cones/boundaries).

Autonomous Torque Challenge (Sled Pull)

(Runs concurrently with the Manual Karts' Maximum Torque Challenge: approx. 10:45 AM – 11:45 AM)

The Challenge: The autonomous kart is attached to the weighted sled. The team programs a routine for the kart to pull the sled approximately 50 feet, stop, and hold the load for a minimum of 10 seconds.
Scoring Focus: Torque Reliability (consistent power under load), Traction Control (managing wheel spin), and Holding Stability (holding the load effectively).

Advanced Performance Trials (Afternoon Showcase)

(Runs concurrently with the Manual Karts' Open Run Challenge: approx. 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM)

Event A: The Smart Slalom:
- Focus: Precision and Path Planning. The kart must use onboard sensors (vision, proximity) to navigate a dense slalom course marked by cones or painted lines.
Event B: The Obstacle Recognition Course:
- Focus: Object Avoidance. The kart must navigate a large, open area containing several fixed obstacles (e.g., cones, small barrels). The kart must detect, calculate a path around the obstacle, and proceed, all autonomously.

Page updated

Report abuse