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Meccanuity Challenge 2017: the Many Legs of Meccanuity Race

By Dave Bradley, Chris Shute & Chris Instone • Published on Friday 18 November 2016, 8:59pm

1, Outline: Meccano walking/running machines race to the finish line against each other pushing or towing a 2-wheeled cart/trailer loaded with a full 330ml can of fizzy pop.

2, Classes: Electric (Meccano electric motors only). Clockwork (Meccano clockwork motors only).

3, Format: Competitors will race against each other across the lecture theatre floor space (a distance of approx' 15 feet), in their chosen classes, with the slowest being eliminated. Heats to be repeated until there are just two participants left in that class, who will then compete in the final of that class. How many participants per heat will depend on the number of participants on the day.

4, Carts/Trailers: Must have only two wheels and must be capable of carrying a full 330ml can of fizzy pop (competitors to supply their own cans of pop).  If load falls off cart/trailer during a race that competitor is eliminated. Carts/trailers can be towed or pushed.

5, Distance: The race distance is approx' 15 feet. If for any reason a competitor's machine fails to travel the full distance to cross the finish line, the winner will be the machine that has travelled the furthest distance. Conversely, the loser will be the machine that has travelled the least distance.

6, Motors: Only Meccano electric motors or Meccano clockwork motors are allowed to be used.

7, Walking/Running: Your machine must walk or run, rotating wheels with feet are not allowed. Legs must be lever operated. Trailer wheels must not be powered/driven. Your machine's legs must be the only way it can traverse the floor.

8, Remote Control: No form of remote/radio/bluetooth control of machines is allowed. Machines must, once they are set running in a race, be left to their own devices, except for no. 9 below.

9, Hands off!: Once the race is underway participants are not allowed to touch their machines, except in the event of an emergency on the grounds of safety of other participants, TIMS members, museum staff or the general public. For a few examples, if your machine veers off course, stops, or crashes into another competitor's machine during a race, tough!

10, Umpire: This year there will be an umpire, who's decision, based on these rules, will be final.

11, Prizes: There will be a prize for the winner of each class, plus a prize for the junior winner in each class (under 16), if TIMS can afford prizes.