faq

Welcome to Rocket Car Challenge, where you can strap a rocket to just about anything...anything with wheels that is!

Event is open to all participants of all ages.  We are going to serve food for donations.  

 WHAT IS ROCKET CAR CHALLENGE? 

Rocket Car Challenge (RCC) is inspired from Discovery Channel shows such as Monster Garage and American Choppers and youth activities such as pine wood derby.  RCC is smack dab in the middle.  While we don’t work on automobiles or motorcycles, Rocket Car Challenge is far more exciting than building gravity propelled racers.  Builders have one hour to build a rocket powered car to race over a series of three tracks: The Loop, The Ramp and The Wall.  The driver must be protected through the exhilarating series of courses. The event ultimately concludes with the destruction of the car.   Participants build unique racers that are truly extreme toys.  Smoke fills the air and you feel the rumble as 8-20 rocket engines ignite at once. It is something that cannot be explained by words alone.

HOW ARE THE TEAMS FORMED? 

Teams consist of 3 - 6 people to help divide the cost of the rocket engines.  Adults are required for children and younger youth teams to guide the teams with pointers and help in using power tools.  The teams either chose their own members or are assigned from free agent entries.  To enter check out the details on the COST/SIGN UP/FORMS page.

You need to have at least 4 members to form a team.  We may consider teams of fewer people if there are open slots.  However, the minimum team fee for 4 people will be required. 

We do not want teams greater than 7 because it is hard for everyone to participate.

We do not require adults on the children and younger youth teams with at least 4 paid members to pay because they are there to support the team members.  They are not considered in the count for minimum and maximum team members.

Adults can form teams on their own.  Here each adult is a team member and pays the entry fee and counts toward the minimum and maximum team member calculation.

WHO IS THE DRIVER? 

An egg! 

WHAT ARE THE COURSES? 

Each course consists of lanes that keep the cars from going anywhere but straight.  Sometimes they pop up out and crash.  The courses are as follows. 

1.    THE LOOP:  track leading to a “Hot Wheels” style vertical loop.  The loop is approximately six feet in diameter.

2.    THE RAMP:  three or four lane track leading to a smoothly increasing ramp that ends in an exit surface at approximately 50 degree angle. 

4.    THE WALL:  multiple lane track leading to brick wall.  The goal of this course is to destroy the car.  The builders will have their engineering skills tested to the limits to see whether or not the driver survives this final event – if the driver actually makes it that far.  Many a yoke have been splattered across THE WALL!

WHAT ARE THE CARS? 

The cars are simply toy cars.  They generally are 0 inches wide axles and fairly light, although we have demo cars that far exceed this.  A wide variety of cars to select from are available.  The best cars are the plastic ones that have a continuous metal axle. Barbie cars and jeeps work well.  All team cars are powered by two engines.The teams must secure the engine mount well enough to hold the engines through each event.  The car must weight just enough to ensure it does not come off the track. 

CAN I BRING MY OWN CAR?

Generally, we provide the cars as we have an very large selection.  However, you may bring your own car. You must mount the egg and the engine blocks at the event.  The car generally must be under 10 inches wide.

WHAT POWERS THE CARS? 

The participant cars are powered by two Estes mighty D12 model rocket engines.  The engines have a burn time of approximately 1.6 seconds.

WHAT ARE THE DEMONSTRATOR CARS? 

Demonstrator cars are heavier cars built by adults to be a demonstration during the event.  They are usually heavier multi-engine cars.  Some of the demonstrator cars are metal Tonka dump trucks, metal Tonka fire engines, metal semi and trailer, heavier plastic cars, and other cars that just looked too cool not to convert to a rocket racer.  These cars will be used for various demonstrations.  They will travel at speeds faster, hall bigger loads, jump farther, and hit the wall harder than the competition cars.  These cars are often driven by a select team of drivers know as the Drivers Guild.  

WHAT ARE THE TOOLS AVAILABLE? 

There will be drills, saws, knives, files, glues, screws, duct tape, etc. available.  Adults will be assigned to help with the power tools to show the participants how to safely use them or operate it for them.  A small propane torch will be available for the classic “hot knife method” that kids have used for years to modify and repair their plastic toys.  The event has grown some so it is advised that teams bring a small assortment of tools for personal use while modifying cars.  This will help alleviate any wait times for the event tools. 

WHO CAN ENTER OR FORM TEAMS? 

Anyone that wishes!  They can either enter as a free agent and be assigned to a team or bring in an entire team.  There will be a unique trophy for the winning teams pending time is available to construct these trophies prior to the event. 

We will also have some entries available for adult “extreme exhibition” (non competition) cars.    These will be limited to the available rocket engines.  They can either be built prior to event day or built on the event day to race the courses like the competition cars. 

HUNDREDS OF ENGINES HAVE ARRIVED!  Ensure your participation by signing up early.

Sign up today at rcchallenge@gmail.com.  Provide your name, team name, contact info. (phone, etc.).  You will be contacted for confirmation.   

WHAT DOES IT COST TO PARTICIPATE?

Check out the Cost/Signup/Forms page for details.

CAN I HELP WITH THE EVENT?

 YES!  We need lots of help for the event in many different areas.  Some of those areas are as follows.

 Tool Volunteers (in charge of specific tools such as drill press, rotary tool, saw, supplies and their safety)      

Construction Consultant (provide expertise to teams)

Video Volunteers (record events on video)            

Digital Camera Volunteers (as many as possible)

Course Setup Volunteers (setup in parking lot, loop assembly, ramp and wall, etc)                 

Other Areas

CAN I COME TO JUST WATCH?

 PLEASE DO!  Racing is a spectator sport.  We only ask that you make a donation to the Youth Mission Fund when you come.  Hamburgers, hot dogs, drinks and deserts will be available with all proceeds going to the Youth Mission Fund.

WHO DO I CONTACT?

Email rcchallenge@gmail.com for opportunities to participate, serve, sponsorship inquiries or general questions.