Staging Area

Discussions on race planning, preparations and how to run a "fair" and fun race.
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Eskimo Joe
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Staging Area

Post by Eskimo Joe »

We historically tape cork strips to tables for the cars to stradle and just write numbers on the tape in a grid-like format. Does anyone have a design for a rack or shelves to store and display the cars safely during the race between check-in time and finish time? Thanks
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pack529holycross
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Re: Staging Area

Post by pack529holycross »

Eskimo Joe wrote:We historically tape cork strips to tables for the cars to stradle and just write numbers on the tape in a grid-like format. Does anyone have a design for a rack or shelves to store and display the cars safely during the race between check-in time and finish time? Thanks
We chose to build the cases from the plans that BESTRACK supplies, and with the furring strips bordering the lids, using the crates themselves to house the cars gives us plenty of "no drop" room to house them. I like the idea of using thin furring strips to have the cars " straddle ", this would work great on a regular table. Just go and buy a few lengths of 1/4" thick x 2" wide strips, you can then just tape down the ends to the tables and the cars will stay in place, straddle the strips, and look nice on the "display".

I had thought alot about the staging area, but have yet to come up with low tech / low labor intensive ways of doing it. If you own a track that has no storage case, you should get a set of those plans and make it a pack project - you get solid storage out of the deal, as well as sturdy display areas!


Two other ideas that I think will really up the ante at your derby -

1. build a basic, collapsable, easy to set up and store "race fence " using PVC. Two TEE connections per vertical support, two 12" feet per vertical support, and 4" sections between. This makes for a well defined barrier for your track area, can be customized as needed on the fly, and doesn't reduce the number of chairs you have by forcing you to use them for fence making. We have a giant roll of FORD RACING vinyl material that we stretch around it to complete the effect. super low tech, and you don't even have to buy the cutters - home depot has them sitting right by the PVC, so you can cut, fill your cart, and be done!

2. race day neckerchiefs - standard bolt material is wide enough that you can make 4 neckerchiefs per 4' section - cut 4' squares, cut from corner to corner to make 4 neckerchiefs. Micheals has this material, usually pretty cheap. Divide neckerchiefs needed by 4, and thats how many 4' sections you need. again - low tech, and you dont have to hem the edges unless you really want to be fancy.


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Eskimo Joe
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Re: Staging Area

Post by Eskimo Joe »

Thanks for the ideas. I will take a look at the plans for the storage boxes. We have a home-made track with case, and that would kill two birds with one stone.
Your fence looks great. We use a super low tech method with tables in a similar u-shape pattern outlining the track for a natural fence. We use enough tables so there is a front row seat for each boy. Families sit at round tables spread out throughout the hall behind the boys. Where did you get the racing vinyl?
The raceday neckerchiefs is a good idea too and will check Michael's for fabric.
Thanks
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ah8tk
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Re: Staging Area

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Last edited by ah8tk on Sun Jan 18, 2009 8:25 am, edited 1 time in total.
Eskimo Joe
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Re: Staging Area

Post by Eskimo Joe »

Thanks for the ideas and links. We will definitely work on a display stand for next year.
We also decided to do the Bandanas, but were afraid of raveling if we cut our own. We found some for less than a dollar a piece and they were a big hit.
http://www.windycitynovelties.com/EPays ... &CatID=690
We gave them to the boys at registration and they returned that night with their uniforms and the checkered bandana instead of their regular rank bandana. [/url]
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