anyone know where i might get a set of plans to build a gravity racer,, other wise known as a billy cart,, want to make it out of steel rather than wood, i know it isn't a land yacht but thought someone on here might know where to find some drawings or plans on the net,, there is one for sale on ebay but want to try and build my own...just an extention of my land sailing i guess,, and yas i have thought of using a land yacht without the sail and mast but it needs to have an effective braking system which most yachts don't have, well mine don't anyway

the axles on your yacht pull out for a skinnier profile.
friction brake to each back wheel
pump up the tyres nice and hard

I am committed for that weekend BB, well at least the saturday although they have not accepted my expression of interest yet, recon next week will see something happen.......
gravity racing seems to me to be jumping out of a good aircraft and racing to the ground. Dont understand the stuffing around with the terminology. If one types Billy Cart Racing into Goggle, thats what its called world wide or at least australia wide...Gravity is a bit ****ey to me.
I have a rolling chassi and am working on the sails and some special equipment.......no camera though....money is tight, real tight

I think im a bit too far away to help, but sending some good luck.

Is there power at the site, as a computer showing some of the cool videos on the net might look good. Not sure if you have a laptop/tv/etc available, and there is software you can download that will allow you to show the vids without a net connection (I could even download and send them to you if you like).

Got any posters, printouts of cool images that you could staple/stick to a piece of ply?

gibberjoe said...

..
gravity racing seems to me to be jumping out of a good aircraft and racing to the ground. Dont understand the stuffing around with the terminology. If one types Billy Cart Racing into Goggle, thats what its called world wide or at least australia wide...Gravity is a bit ****ey to me.

If you Google extreme gravity racing you will see how exotic the carts can be. No longer towed by a billy goat or made from soap boxes. Its a bit like the difference between land yachting and land sailing. Soapbox, Billycart, Cartie (UK), Trolley (NZ) who really cares?

If you enjoy making cheap mechanical things and like the idea of being able to do things that involve some speed (which you must if you build your own land yachts) then down load the build specs from www.gravefest.org and get into it.
Have a look on Youtube for some videos. In the UK they call them carties and reach speeds of 80mph depending on the track. This track good carts will hit about 70kph.
See you all there

downhill said...

gibberjoe said...

..
gravity racing seems to me to be jumping out of a good aircraft and racing to the ground. Dont understand the stuffing around with the terminology. If one types Billy Cart Racing into Goggle, thats what its called world wide or at least australia wide...Gravity is a bit ****ey to me.

If you Google extreme gravity racing you will see how exotic the carts can be. No longer towed by a billy goat or made from soap boxes. Its a bit like the difference between land yachting and land sailing. Soapbox, Billycart, Cartie (UK), Trolley (NZ) who really cares?

If you enjoy making cheap mechanical things and like the idea of being able to do things that involve some speed (which you must if you build your own land yachts) then down load the build specs from www.gravefest.org and get into it.
Have a look on Youtube for some videos. In the UK they call them carties and reach speeds of 80mph depending on the track. This track good carts will hit about 70kph.
See you all there

are you sure about the link? got some strange results ,none to do with billycarts

There is a slight spelling error in the site detail. Think it should read www.gravfest.org

wokelliott said...
There is a slight spelling error in the site detail. Think it should read www.gravfest.org

pity about all the rules
4 wheels minimumwhat a pity when 3 is easier and more stable , better to steer and brake
head 700mm above ground.i could stack 2 carts in that space!!!!!!!!! 2 stick brakes with rubber pads would do the brakes easy

bazl said...

landyacht said...
pity about all the rules
4 wheels minimumwhat a pity when 3 is easier and more stable , better to steer and brake...

Hmmm, tandem wheels on the back maybe?

3 wheels more stable than 4? mmmm really. Can you still buy those 3 wheel off road motor trikes or is it just quad bikes these days, why do 3 wheel 'oldies' gophers have warning stickers on them, ever watched Mr Bean and the 3 wheel Blue 'Reliant Robin'.

And whats with some people wanting to change the rules to suit themselves?

Test pilot 1 said...
The problem with all the three wheeled vehicles you have mentioned is the dangerously high centre of gravity which when cornering increases centrifugal force instability

thank you TP1 your spot on. if you move forward a bit and lay down a landyacht turns into a rocket of a billycart. the carts you see in the videos tend to have a high CG ,vertical wheels that are DESIGNED to lay over when turning and cornering.
tyres that are designed to lay over when cornering.
I dont want to change thier rules, i simply pointed out that they are particularly bad for ongoing development.
Of the 3 billy carts that Ive built only the 2 that had a layover front end were great on cornering. the cart that had 4 wheels was great but needed the handbuilt wheels that I make now instead of the spoked things we had.

Years ago there used to an annual "Hill Trollie" race down Mt Clarence in Albany, West Aussie. Haven't heard anything of it for a long time, I'm sure there must be old ex-participants around who would remember the event and the requirements for the carts. It is a steep and curvy hill with spectacular views of the harbour...if only you had the split second chance or guts to view it.

wokelliott said...
Years ago there used to an annual "Hill Trollie" race down Mt Clarence in Albany, West Aussie.

Sometimes called soapbox these days, last I heard they were having trouble keeping the Mt Clarence course due to redevelopment. Maybe they could put up a sail.

http://www.perthsoapboxclub.org/

www.facebook.com/pages/Albany-Soapbox-Club/164317316945430

looking at those perth soapbaxes ,I suspect they would be below the 700mm head hieght

SATURDAY 3rd November 2012
Going back a few decades, Billy Cart races were staged on the infamous 'Rink Hill' in the centre of Yass. The Rotary Club of Yass in conjunction with the Yass Antique Motor Club, have reinstated this fine tradition and it all takes place on Rossi Street, Yass, throughout Saturday of CLASSIC YASS.

With 22 prizes of trophies and a total of $1000 cash, it just keeps getting better!

Entry fee is only $5, payable on Race Day. Internet pre-registration is encouraged before 30 October 2012 <CLICK HERE>. Just fill out the form and you will receive a return email confirming your entry pre-registration.

Otherwise entry forms and regulations are available from the Yass First National Real Estate office at 135 Comur St or can be downloaded from this web page and handed in on Race Day.


Schedule

10am Billy Cart Derby practice/time trials begin (Rossi Street)
2 pm Billy Cart Derby finals (Rossi Street)
3 pm Presentation of awards

Categories



• Under 7's First place Trophy Second Trophy
• 7 - 9 years First place Trophy Second Trophy
• 10 - 12 years First place Trophy Second Trophy
• 13 - 15 years First place Trophy Second Trophy
• Ladies First place $100 Second $50
• Seniors (over 65) First place Trophy Second Trophy
• CORPORATE CHALLENGE First place Trophy Second Trophy
• NOVELTY First place $150 Second $100
• ART-CART First place $150 Second $100
• OPEN First place $150 Second $100





Special prizes for the best 'Traditional' Billy Cart 1st $60 2nd $40




Race Rules


• Practice and timed trials will be held on a closed section of Rossi Street Yass on Saturday November 3, 2012.
• A driver must use the same billy cart throughout the event.
• All billy carts must have one occupant only.
• A driver may enter more than one category, if applicable.
• The same Billy Cart may be entered in a different category by a different driver, but not the same category with a different driver.
• All billy carts will commence from a stationary start with the driver seated in the Cart
• No pedalling, pushing, paddling or propulsion of any kind is allowed. Rocking is permitted.
• Billy carts must have fixed seating, and the driver must remain seated throughout the race.
• All judges decisions are final on the day.
• Races for under 7's may be run on a shorter track.
• A billy cart or driver may be disqualified at any time at the discretion of the Chief Steward.
• Each entrant must provide a signed entry form before participating in the billy cart races or practice.
• In the event that the entrant is under the age of eighteen, a parent/guardian of the entrant must also sign the form.
• By signing the entry form, the participant and their parent/guardian, if applicable, accepts the terms and conditions of entry in the billy cart derby and associated indemnity clause.
• At the date of the event, entrants must fall within the specified age category.
• All Billy Carts must pass scrutineering before being allowed to practice or run. Scrutineering starts at 9:30am.
• Each Billy Cart will only be eligible for one prize.




Driver Requirements


• An approved Cycling, Equestrian or Motorcycle helmet MUST BE WORN.
• All drivers must wear long sleeved shirts or jumpers, long trousers, gloves and fully enclosed footwear.
• It is strongly recommended that drivers also wear Knee/elbow pads.
• Each driver must be able to control the steering and brakes.




Race Procedures


• Runs will be electronically timed.
• Entrants in the Art Cart and Novelty classes will be judged on creativity rather than speed, but must participate in at least two runs.
• The fastest two Carts in all other classes will run off in a final.
If a billy cart is eligible for a final in more than one class, it is up to the entrants to decide which class will be contested in the final.
• Starting lanes will be drawn before each run.
• Both lanes will be of equal length.
• All carts will start with the front wheel contact points in line.
• All judges decisions are final on the day.




Billy Cart Dimensions and Specifications


• Overall length of cart not to exceed 2400 mm
• Overall width to be between 400 mm and 1200 mm
• Must have minimum of 2 axle lines, minimum spacing 600 mm.
• Maximum tyre diameter 670 mm.
• Billy Carts must have at least 3 wheels and no more than 6.
• Maximum weight (without driver) 70 kg
• Billy carts used in age group categories can also be used in Open, Novelty, Art-Cart and Corporate Challenge categories
• The billy cart must have an adequate steering mechanism
• The billy cart must have a working brake – not your foot on the road or wheel!
• The wheels are to be retained in a safe manner.
• There must be sturdy construction of all billy cart components, and fixed seating.
• Billy carts made from unduly heavy materials or carrying additional ballast are not permitted.
• There shall be no sharp protrusions or ornaments.
• There shall be no device to aid starting or to help propel the cart.
• NO motors, sails, pedals, paddles, or any other propulsion device are allowed.




Important Pre Event Information
Sign on, registration and inspection of all billy carts will take place in the Bus Depot yard in Rossi Street opposite Banjo Paterson Park.


Car and trailer parking for Billy Cart entrants will be available in Church Street between Rossi and Meehan Streets.


Due to road closures you will need to enter Church Street from Meehan Street.


There is plenty of room on the left hand side of Church street to angle park a car and trailer front to kerb. Please do not block driveways!


Unload your Billy Cart and push it down the hill to the scrutineering area.
Do not ride your Billy Cart.
Billy Carts will be inspected by scrutineers for compliance with the rules and then allocated a number.


Once your Billy Cart has a number, you can proceed to sign on with your completed entry form (or forms if more than one category or driver is entered).


At sign on each driver will pay the entry fee and be given a different coloured wrist band depending on what category they have entered.


Remember, if you are under 18 years of age, your entry form must be countersigned by a parent or guardian!


Once you have had your Billy Cart scrutineered and have your wrist band, you may proceed to the top of the hill for your practice runs.


After midday the runs will be timed.


The fastest two times in each category will contest the final. Each Billy Cart will only be eligible for one prize. If a billy cart is eligible for a final in more than one class, it is up to the entrants to decide which class will be contested in the final.

Looks like the rules for the karts change from state to state, event to event... some only allow 4 wheels others are not so restrictive, some have minimum wheel size, some need good brakes yet others will allow basic brakes.

But it looks like the common link to all these events are
1. A hill
2. People wanting to race down that hill.
3. People wanting to have fun.

Sh

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ics of my son's cub scout project cars. No rules, just fun. I am proud of how they turned out.