Rapid City Journal from Rapid City, South Dakota • 7

THE RAPID CITY DAILY JOURNAL, THURSDAY, JUNE 6, 1910. PAGE SEVEN ening of slack cables. For safety Official Soap Box Derby Rules Are Published For Benefit 0 As Well As For Racer Of Parents Builders parts are permitted in the con chuKjsis frame and body frame to be built of wood; and by Rule 18, prohibiting expensive steering assemblies. fiite: It is well to keep an itemized account of material and con struction costs so that your completed racer will not represent an outlay in excess of ten dollars. (c) Inspection Cars that appear expensive will be closely examined by the inspection committee, and the boy will be required to prove that he built the car himself, and kept within the cost limit.

LOCAL RACE 20. Driver (a) Entrants must drive their own cars in authorized races. No car shall carry more than one boy. (b) Goggles or sun glasses may not be worn during the racing. 21.

Age Classifications (a) Drivers will race in accordance with the following classes: Class 'A" 13-15 years, inclusive. Class 11-12 years, inclusive. (b) Each driver will be classified according to the age he will be on the day of his local race, and this age classification will hold up to and including the final race at Akron, Ohio, for determining the national champion. Example: If a boy has passed his 13th birthday on the day of the local race, he is in the Class group. If a boy has passed his 16th birthday, he is ineligible for competition.

Boys under 11 years of age are not permitted to enter, and any who try to evade this rule will be barred from all future races- champion in the national finals must drive the same car in which he won his local race. In event of his illness, or any emergency preventing his competing at Akron, his sponsoring newspaper (upon no3 ficution to Soap Box Derby headquarters) may name a substitute driver, but the car must be the same car which won the championship in the city's local race, and the combined weight of the car and substitute driver must not exceed the specified 250-pound maximum set in Rule 13. Note: In case of driver substitution, the sponsoring newspaper should require that a written agreement, determining the ownership of any prize or prizes won at the national finals, be made before the national finals by the substitute driver and the champion who is unable to compete. In general, it is recommended that the prize, if any, should go to the local champion who built the car and drove it in his local race. (e) Lettering On Cars Before being shipped to Akron, each car in the national finals should be lettered on both sides with the name of its city and its sponsoring newspaper.

No other lettering or insignia will be permitted. (f) Inspection Each car entered in the national finals will be closely inspected by the national finals technical committee before the test runs. The committee may disqualify a car violating any of the rules, or require that the necessary corrections be made by the boy himself (see Rule 26-i). (g) Drivers may be called before the inspection committee and required to answer any questions pertaining to the construction or cost of their racers. Parents or necessary, but will not be privileged to answer any question that a boy capable of building a Soara Box Derby car should be able to answer.

(h) Wheels and bearings on which an entry will race must be on the car at the time of final inspection. Each city champion must race on the wheels, bearings and axles with which he won his local jjace. No city champion shall change his running gear after winning his local race without permission of the national finals technical committee. After the inspection, no entrant may change his wheels, axles, or bearings, either before or during the championship races, without the permission of the finals inspection committee- Only wheels, axles, and bearings inspected and approved by the finals inspection committee may be substituted in case of damage to the original equipment. Note: Wheels may be removed from a champion's car to protect them in shipping the racer to the national finals.

(i) Repairs or changes in construction at Akron, if permitted or ordered, must be made by the boy himself, or under his supervision by the official Soap Box Derby mechanics appointed to handle the service pits. (j) Service pits Parents or escorts will not be permitted within the service pit area during the test runs or the championship finals. (k) Enforcement of Rules The decisions of the national contest board and the finals technical committee in all matters pertaining to the interpretation or enforcement of these Soap Box Derby rules, and to the conduct of the race, will be final and binding 25. Rule Are Binding On All (ai At the conclusion of the national finals, each city "champion's car will be returned to the co-sponsoring newspaper, to remain in that paper's custody for one year. (b) The All-American Soap Box Derby, or the co-sponsoring newspaper, reserves the right tu purchase any entrant's car for the price of ten dollars (c) By entering the Soap Box Derby, you bind yourself to live up to every rule.

In the past, it has happened that the winner of a city race was disqualified at the finish line, and that a city champion's car was disqualified at Akron, because the boy had not carefully studied the rules. These rules are drawn to give you an equal chance against all competitors. Do not lose your chance by failing to know the rules. NATIONAL FINALS 26. National Finals (a) Changes prohibited No changes in design or construction may be made in a city champion's car after the local race and before the national finals at Akron, Ohio.

(This rule is not intended to prohibit a city champion from repairing any damage to the car, or tuning or tightening it, in preparation for the national finals.) (b) Display of Car Provision will be made by sponsoring newspapers to display or store champions' cars before shipment to Akron; thus, construction changes which might disqualify cars at the national finals will be prevented. c) Test Run Every city champion in the national finals will be required to make a safety test run over the Derby course at Akron before he may race in competition. (d) Substitute Driver Each city all turnbuckles must be wired so that they cannot unscrew. Note: Cables made too tight cause hard steering. Cables must be firmly at tached.

Soldered connections are unsafe and are prohibited. Cables must be wound on the steering post, cable drum, in such a manner that the front axle or wheels will turn in the same di rection as the steerin" wheel is turned. (f) Mechanical steering devices may be used instead of cable steer ing, or instead of the kingpin meth od of moving the entire front axle. However, mechanical steer ing must be boy-built, and abide by all the rules covering construe-tion and safety, (g) Cut-down automobile steer ing assembles with gears, sprockets, or chains, will hot be permitted. Commercially-built front wheel mountings or steering arms will not be permitted.

(h) Steering shaft A metal steering shaft must be used. It may be taken to a machine shop to be cut to the proper length, and to be threaded or drilled through for bolts or pins to be used in attach ing to the steering wheel, cable, or the cable drum, or in locking the shaft in position in the body. Both the steering wheel and the cable drum must be firmly attached to the steering shaft without excess play or lost motion. (i) Steering position The body and seat must be so built that the driver sits in a normal driving position (as in an automobile) permitting easy operation of the steering wheel and brakes and a clear view to the front and both sides. The driver may lean forward in his seat during a race, but a reclining position (leaning back) is prohibited.

17, Brakes (a) Every car must be equipped with a brake or brakes capable of stopping the car quickly and safe ly in a straight line. Only two types of brakes will be permitted drag brakes and wheel brakes. (b) Operation No matter which type of brake is used, it must be operated by a single lever moved by hand, or a single pedal Or foot bar moved by one foot or two. (c) Drag Brakes If a single drag brake is used, it must be in the middle of the car (as measured from one side to the other), If double-drag brakes are used, there must be one drag on each side of the car. Drag brakes must be faced with rubber, or old tire treads, to give a better grip when applied.

(d) Wheel brakes, if used, must apply equally against both rear wheels. 18. Attachments (a) All attachments, such as decorations, pennants, or orna ments, must be securely fastened to the car. (b) Glass will not be permitted anywhere on the car. Note: Officials may remove any attachment considered dangerous to drivers or spectators.

(c) Starting Devices No car may have any attachment that can in any way aid in the starting of the car or increase its speed while running. (d) Towing Ring Every car shall have a towing ring, of at least one-inch inside diameter. firmly attached near the front of the car. Note: The ring-bolt or eye will be counted in figuring over-all length if it projects forward be yond the foremost part of the car. 19.

Cost Limit (a) Total Cost No car may cost over ten dollars This amount refers to the retail or catalog price when new of all material used in construction, including the run ning gear (see Rule 6-b). However, any steering wheel or steering shaft permitted by these rules may be used regardless of the original retail which shall not be in cluded in figuring the total cost of the car. (b) High Costs Unnecessary The amount of money needed to build a good car has been purposely limited by Rule 6, specifyiii; what running gear may be used; by Rule 7. prohibiting special bearings; by Rules 14 and 15, requiring the 22. Race Procedure (a) Heats All races will be run on a system of elimination by heats.

(b) Starting Cars must start by gravity from a standstill, at a starting line on the track or on a special starting ramp (depending on local conditions), with no help. No pushing will be allowed. 23. Impaction (a) All cars must be inspected by the official inspection committee before they compete. (b) Changes After inspection, no entrant shall change wheels or bearings, or make any other change in his car, either before or during the Deiby, without the permission of the inspection committee.

Should a car be damaged before or during the race, permission to make repairs must be obtained from the inspection committee. Only wheels or bearings inspected and approved by the committee may be used if the originals must be replaced. All repairs must be made by the boy himself, or with the help of official Soap Box Derby mechanics. Note: Special attention will be given to wheels, bearings, steering, and brakes during inspection. In spectors may require the removal of wheels for inspection of bear ings.

Failure to provide the car with strong and safe steering and braking devices will lead to disqualification. (c) Drivers may be called be fore the inspection committee and required to answer any questions about the construction 'or cost of their racers. Parents also may be called if necessary, but will not be privileged to answer any Question that a boy capable of building a Soap Box Derby car should be able to answer, 24. Officials fa) The decisions of local race officials regarding the interpreta tion of these rules will be final. b) Officials will disqualify any car which, in their opinion, may prove dangerous to the driver, other drivers, or spectators.

(c) Officials will disqualify any car which, in their opinion, was not built by the boy who entered it in the race. (d) Officials will disqualify any driver who shows poor sportsman sTiip. or whose driving is such as to interfere with other drivers. (e) Poor sportsmanship is meant to include any attempt to gain unfair advantage under these rules (such as receiving adult help in construction), or using material (such as rebuilt wheels or special bearings) not permitted by these rules, or improper race conduct (such as intentional interference with another car or driver). 0 0 tt struction of the remainder of the steering system or anywhere in the brake system.

(c) Second-hand- automobilo spring leaves may be used in the springing system, or suspension, of the car. However, valve springs, coil springs, spiral springs, or wire sprints may not be used in the springing system, (d) Hardware (such as pulleys, turnbuckles, hinges, springs, metal cleats, nails, screws, and bolts) may be used freely in the con struction of both chassis and body. I. Running Gear (a) Wheels and axles may be ob tained from coaster wagons, tri cycles, baby carriages and other small vehicles in popular use, or may be purchased. (b) Cost Limit In no case shall the cost of four wheels, with tires, axles, and bearings exceed $6.

This amount refers to the retail or cata log price when new. Used, or second-hand, standard approved wheels and axle sets will be valued at their current retail price. Note: Approved wheels and axle sets which cost more than $6 in 1939, and were permitted by the 1939 rules, will be valued at $6. (c) Wheels Home-made or hand-built wheels are prohibited. (d) Wheels made for, or salvaged irom, commercial units (such as factory trucks, hospital stretches, industrial hand trucks, or trailers) will not be permitted.

even though bought second-hand. (e) Welded or riveted disc wheels that have been taken apart and rebuilt are prohibited. Rebuilt wheels are unsafe and unfair in Derby competition, (f) Wheel size No car may have wheels more than 12 inches in diameter, including the tires. (g) All cars must be run on four wheels like a racing car. (h) Tires must be of solid rub ber, and not more than 2 inches in width.

Pneumatic tires are prohibited. (i) Purchased Wheels In buying wheels, bearings, and axle rods in ready-made form, make sure that they comply with the 1940 rules. If possible, purchase wheel-and-axle sets that carry the official approval of the All-American Soap Box Derby, Inc. Such approval will be in the form of the Soap Box Derby emblem, either on the wheels or on the box in which they are packed. (j) Floating Axles (or axles turning on bearings) are prohibited.

7. Special Bearings (a) Cars having precision bear ings or special bearings (any bear ings not originally furnished with the wheels), and cars having specially machined wheel hubs or axle rods, will be barred from competition. fb) Axle Rods may be taken to a machine shop to be brought to proper length (by removing or adding stock in the middle of the rod) and rejoined in a straight line by welding, or to be threaded, but no other alterations or machine work In the approved equipment will be permitted. Note: The foregoing rule does not prohibit you from replacing a worn or damaged wheel, bearing, or axle with another of the same make and model. However, welded or riveted disc wheels may not be taken apart to replace bearings (see Rule 6-e).

(c) Permitted Work This rule is not to be taken as prohibiting a boy from performing work on the wheels, bearings, and axle shaft in order to balance the wheels, to run in the bearings, to true up the tires or alter the tire tread (by grinding the rubber) or other work not forbidden, by the rules. 8. Wheel Treed Neither front nor rear wheel tread shall be less than 30 inches or more than 36 inches. Front and rear treads do not have to be the some. Note: The tread Is the distance from the center line of one tire to the center lirie of the opposite tire.

9. Wheelbaie Every car shall have a wheelbase lilt's of not less than 40 inches. Note: Wheelbase is the distance from the center of the front wheel hub to the center of the rear wheel hub on the same side of the car. 10, Length The length of the shall not exceed 80 inches. 11.

Width The over-all width of the car shall not exceed 42 inches. 12. Height Thi nurr.all hpiyht of the car. including the windshield, slfall not exceed 30 inches. Only the steer ing wheel may extend above the allowed over-all height.

Note: All cars should have road clearance of at least 3 inches, to clear starting ramps or starting blocks. 13. Weight (a) The combined weight of the car and driver in any class must be not more than 2o0 pounds however, regardless of the weight of the boy, the car by itself shall weigh not more than 150 pounds. Example: If you weigh 120 pounds, your car must weigh not more than 130 pounds; or, if you weigh under 100 pounds, your car must weigh not more than 150 pounds: (b) Added Weight The addition of loose material (such as bricks, lead, iron, cement, sand, water, etc.) to increase car weight is not permitted, and any violation of the rule will subject the car to im-mediate disqualification. The en tire weight of the car must be made up of parts and materials actually used in the construction of the chassis and body.

Note: If you want a heavy car you must built it heavy. The rule against added weight, or ballast, is for your safety, because a car built light becomes unsafe when loaded with added weight. 14. Chassis Frame The frame of the chassis must be made of wood, and may be rein forced with metal braces or diagonal struts only at the corners. This is not intended, however, to prohibit the use of light steel or strap iron angle braces, T-braces or L-braces for holding wood frame members together.

IS. Body Construction (a) The body frame must be con structed of wood. (b) The body of the car must not confine the driver's head, or prevent the driver from easily rais ing his hands to adjust his helmet. (c) The cockpit of the car must be of sufficient size to permit the driver to get in or out without re moving the steering wheel. Cock pits must be open at the top.

(d) Tin. sheet metal, fabric. wood, leather, paper, beavcrboard, papier-mache, plywood, wire or cardboard may be used as hood and body covering. Do not use metal lath in body construction Plaster or concrete will not be permitted in the construction of the body shell or body covering. There must be no exposed rough or sharp edges.

AH edges around the drivers cockpit must be pad ded or protected, 16. Steering (a) Steering wheel The steering control must be by means of a steering wheel. The steering wheel must be 8 inches or more in diameter. Ready-made steering wheels are permitted (see Rules 5 and 19). The hub of the steering wheel must be securely and rigidly fastened to a metal steering post or shaft and must be elevated at least 6 inches above the floor of the car.

The steering control must operate the front axle or front wheels. Rear-end steering will not be permitted. (b) Steering may be by flexible connections (cables and pulleys) or by any other arrangement constructed entirely by the boy himself. (c) Flexible connections, if used, must be of wire cable. (One-eighth-inch pre-formed cable, or cable of similar strength, is necessary.) Rope or chain steering connections are barred.

(d) Steering cables must be fitted wit hat least one turnbuckle, two if necessary, to permit easy tight- TH. NORTHWCSTCRN KILL TCLCPHONC COMPANY If The rule books are here and first plans for Rapid City' 1940 Soap Box Derby are well under' way. The next step is up to Rapid City's boys. An 4'ivitation goes out from the local co-sponsors to every boy between the ages of 11 and la, inclusive, to "get to Work at once" on his 1940 racer. Rules Changtd There are a number of changes in the rules, and the first thing every boy should do is go to the office of the Rapid Chevrolet sign the register and receive a copy of the rules- The rules show what can be done and what can't, and Derby car builders may save themselves a lot of grief if they study the first.

Any boy in the west river country who qualifies as to age and other requirements is eligible to NOTICE TO PARENTS If you are the mother or the father of a potential Soap Box Derby contestant, you might gain something by reading the official rules published herewith. The Soap Box Derby was designed to promote youthful sportsmanship and unless the rules are understood and followed by all concerned including anxious-to-help fathers and mothers the purpose will be defeated. enter the Rapid City race, although if he lives closer to Lead, which also sponsors a Derby, he should enter there. It is not a bit too early to start, General Chairman Eddie Peck announces; at least, the boys are urged to sign now so the committee in charge will have an idea how many cars there will be. Co-sponsors here are Rapid Chevrolet Rapid City Junior Chamber of Commerce and The Rapid City Daily Journal.

Age Dy of iRece The age limit is effective as of the day of the local race, which will probably be July 14, 21 or 28 Any boy who is 11 years old by that day and has not reached his 16th birthday by that day is eligi ble. If the local champion becomes 16 between the local race and the national derby, he is still eligible to compete in Akron, Ohio, in mid-August. For the benefit of parents and boys in general, the official rules are being published in The Jour nal, although all boys entering are urged to secure their own. lllus trated copies, from Rapid Chevro let Co. The official rules: 1, Obey the Rules The Soap Box Derby is strictly a boys' event, designed to promote both craftsmanship and sports manship through competition in building and driving Soap Box rac ing cars.

When you enter the Soap Box Derby contest, you offer to pit your skill in building and driving against that of other boys. Therefore, sportsmanship, or fair play, requires that your car shall represent only your own skill as its designer and builder," just as. when it comes to the race, your performance will represent only your own skill as a driver. These rules are designed to insure an equal opportunity to all entrants and thus further the spirit of fair play among the boys of America. Therefore, follow the official rules to the letter, and, as a true sportsman, enjoy the thrill of pitting your individual ability against the best that the field has to offer.

Study these rules over and over for your car will be carefully inspected before the race, and may be barred from competition if any single rule has been overlooked or broken. Remember Ignorance of the rule is no excuse. 2. Ago Limits The Soap Box Derby is open only to boys 11 to 15 (inclusive) years old on the day of their local race. 3.

Eligible Cars, Drivers (a) Entrants must design and build their own cars, but may have other boys of Derby contest age as helpers. (b) Neither a former winner of an officially sponsored Soap Box Derby, nor his car, nor any parts of his car, may compete in this year's race. (c) Other cars entered In previous years' races may compete if they comply with the 1940 rules. However, these cars must be entered and driven by the boys who built them originally. (d) No car or boy may enter or take part in more than one officially sponsored race.

Eligibility of entrants in any city race, or races, will be decided by the local race committee. 4. Car Must Be Boy-Built (a) Except as stated hereafter in these rules, every bit of the work required in building a Soap Box Der5y cor muking and shaping of the separate parts of the chassis and body, and joining the parts to form the assembled car must be performed by the boy. Entrants may, however, receive help in building and assembling their cars from other boys of Derby contest age. Advice and direction may be accepted from parents, teachers, or sponsors, but the actual construction must be done entirely by the boy.

Any car showing evidence of adult workmanship, or of machine shop assistance (except that permitted by Rules 7-b Bnd 16-h), will be barred from the contest. (b) No welding, brazing, or soldering of any type is allowed, even if done by the boy himself, except as provided for in Rule 7-b. S. Heady-Made Parts (a) Running gear (wheels, tires, bearings, axle rods) and the steering wheel and steering shaft are ths only coaster car parts that may be used In ready-made form, (b Automobile steering wheels nil clnorincr hnft M1.1V be USpd i i it 'v akk escorts called, if VN i LIFETIME GUARANTEE Every Firestone Tire carries a written lifetime guarantee not limited to 12, 18 or 24 months, but for the full life of the tire without time or mileage limit, Scott's Phone 898 West St. Joe Phone 185 West of City also may be ffii 0 till 11 -V ar at av sim mm 1 BP! ISI a I 7 ft Fleshing down the straightaways at speeds high as 160 miles en hour, Wilbur Shew streeked te victory In this great race to become a three-time winner end the orrfy men ever to win two consecutive victories at Indiana polit.

500 miles of grinding, pounding, torturing speed and not one tire failed: here's proof of safety proof of blowout protection proof of tire superiority becked, not by claims, but by performance. Patented construction features In the Firestone Tires used by these great drivers on the speedway ere incorporated In the Firestone Chempion Tires you buy for the highway. For greater safety, economy and dependability, equip year cer with a set of these wonderful tires todey. on all persons concerned. firm ysis I ra.

uo s. 1940 77 PICK YOUR SIZI 4 4t 4.M-!1....$S.78 4lt7l.TI7l.M-It 6.45 6.00-14 And Your Old Tirt MiI.M-IT.... 7.31 6.90 IH IM-tl 9.H OtMr Sum, lneluirt TRUCK TINES YprtiMItI Uw iwMte West Texaco Service Phone 12SS Phone 1349 STORE PHONE 262 Ww" i HenS'S WHAT I CALL A I XV jGnsATDuyiNDounoom rfSjSjj c. fesdL s3 7 ZHfj Weston )jm mmiib Don Horton Main and Cist Bird. TEXACO MAIN STATION' Hubbard's Auto Court This Whiskey is "'-a (..

I YEAIIS OLD This grand Lourhon hat been treasured I I ainre 1869 for id fine flavor, bouquet I and aniooluneie, and it the orlglual with that famous ttd baud acroti the white labcL li kJz 7 Pick up a bottle today. Accept no substitutes or imitations! mm 93 Proof KOPLOW BROTHERS, Exclusive Distributors, Sioux Falls, S. 0. Fourth and Main. NINTH AND ST.

JOE AUTO SUPPLY AND SERVICE (see Rule 19 a), but no automobile I.