About
Announcing the second annual Holyoke Brick Race contest sponsored by Paper City Studios and Massachusetts Cultural Council. As the name implies, a “Brick Race” involves designing and building a brick racecar that is mounted on wheels and raced down an inclined track using only gravity to cross the finish line first. We believe that this “Brick Race” is the first of its kind anywhere, and it’s the second brick race ever to take place in the fine city of Holyoke, Massachusetts. The purpose of the event is to bring together the diverse community of Holyoke and surrounding towns for a day of fun, excitement and creativity for all to enjoy. We want to have as many brick racecars as can be accommodated to kick off our second event, and we’d like to invite you to participate.
The Second Annual Great Holyoke Brick Race is coming: Saturday, June 9, 2012 to Race St. in Downtown Holyoke.
What is a “Brick Race?”
As the name implies, a “Brick Race” involves using a standard building brick as the main component of a racecar that is elaborately decorated, mounted on wheels and raced down an inclined track using only gravity to cross the finish line first. For the purposes of this race, a brick shall be defined as a standard construction brick of any color, whose dimensions are approximately 8 inches x 3.5 inches x 2.25 inches and weighs between 4 and 5 pounds. Racers compete in side-by-side elimination rounds until the winners are declared. We believe that this “Brick Race” is the only one of its kind anywhere in the country, and it’s certainly the only brick race ever to take place in the fine city of Holyoke, Massachusetts.
Why a Brick Race?
The purpose of the event is to bring together the diverse community of Holyoke and surrounding towns for a day of fun, excitement and creativity for all to enjoy. We want to have as many brick racecars as can be accommodated and we’d like to invite persons of all ages and backgrounds to participate.
Who can enter the Brick Race?
1. Anyone, of any age, from anywhere can enter the Brick Race! You do not have to be a resident of Holyoke, Massachusetts to participate in the competition, and we gladly accept entries worldwide from Framingham, Fargo, Fairbanks, and Faskrudsfjordur (Iceland) and beyond.
2. Brick Racers may enter as an individual or as part of a team consisting of two or more individuals who work together as a group to build a racer.
To Enter -
Please send a return email with the information below by April 21, 2012 in order to reserve a spot in this year’s race. Note that we can only accommodate a maximum of 60 racecars on a first come, first served basis, so let us know asap. Once we confirm your entry, we’ll be in touch with more details about the racer specifications, race rules and the address to send the $5 entry fee that helps cover the race expenses.
Contact Person’s Name:
Email: Phone:
For more information please contact: Nancy Sachs at nksachs@verizon.net Bruce Fowler at brucefowlerart@yahoo.com or Dean Nimmer at deannimmer@gmail.com
This program is supported in part by a grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
The best design for a car is a wide wheel base and a low center of wight.
For more up to date information visit papercitystudios
Racecar Specifications
1.Entrants must build a racecar vehicle to transport a common building brick as the main component. A common brick is approximately 8 inches in length x 4 inches in width x 2.5 inches in height and weighs between 4 and 5 pounds.
2. Since the racecars will travel down an inclined plane using gravity only, you may not use any
extra motors or propulsion systems that would aid the speed of the racecar.
3. You may use any materials to build the racecar including painting the brick. You may not use sharp, hazardous or flammable materials, and we reserve the right to ban any racecar that the judges deem to be dangerous.
4. To fit on the track, the total size of the racecar, including the brick, cannot exceed 10 inches in width, 18 inches in length and 15 inches in height. (You may include lighter artistic elements over 15”)
5. The total weight of the brick racecar, including the brick and all materials attached to it, should not exceed 15lbs in total weight. We’ll get you the full description of the Brickrace with entry form and other details later.
Please email if you have any questions. brucefowlerart@yahoo.com Papercitystudios
Track progress
Photos are of the track test from May, 2011.
The track is finished and runs fast.
Crash
