The first annual Columbus Power Tool Drag Races went off without anyone losing major limbs… Success! We also managed to have a ton of fun doing it. Typical of a first year event there was some kinks to work out and attendance wasn’t huge but overall the event went very smoothly. In total there were 10 racers and 50+ spectators but with the enthusiasm after the event you know the event is only going to grow by leaps and bounds next year and beyond.
I taught a workshop before the race on how to build one of these racers and the design I came up with was simple but actually worked very well. In just 3 hours even the most inexperienced builder had put together a racer that was able to zip down the track and even look good doing it (stock cars 1 2 3 4).
My creation “The Flying Toaster” was heavy but fast, powered by a Bosch 9” grinder motor (see video). It was 90% welded together but as build time ran out (I also helped build the track, create a stock car design & teach a class) I had to use some zip ties to hold the side guide wheels on. After the one run the ties broke and the toaster never ran the same again. Unfortunately I was unable to beat TJ’s pig and his taunting fans… I shall have my revenge next year!
There were high hopes for a few other racers including Mike’s “Little Cranky” which was definitely the most complicated design, almost 100% custom fabricated including gears and frame. The chain drive racer ended up being underpowered with the high RPM, low torque router motor.
One of the fan favorites was Alex’s “Bratzmobile Cruiser”; it actually fell apart during the first run but managed to drag its pieces parts across the finish line anyway and go on to make several more runs as is. It was a toss up weather that was the funnies run or when the Pig got Decapitated. It was a clean cut, who knew cardboard could do that.
There will be more pictures and videos coming in, check http://www.powertooldragracescolumbus.com/results.html for all the links. The local Channel 10 news was there as well and had some good coverage on TV that night, I am working to get online. Thanks you again to everyone who helped put this together from the Idea Foundry, Fuse Factory and especially to our event sponsors who donated all the fabulous prizes Ohio Power Tool, Skil Power Tools and CH Hanson.