THE RULES – for real y’all.

Registration is required.

If you’re a thrill seeking adult (in age only) with at least a bit of self preservation and common sense – AND – if you’ve got at least 3 wheels, no more than 2 riders, a seat, a steering mechanism, working brakes (!), a helmet, and no engine or pedals (gravity only, y’all), you basically have what it takes to enter the official Kirby Derby.

The Derby is an adult event, as the curves of the track and the racers themselves can be very unpredictable.

1. Registration is required. Only properly registered racers will be allowed to race.
2. ADULTS 18+ years old ONLY
3. ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK! You are responsible for your own safety, and you are responsible for the safety of anyone who comes in contact with your vehicle (and make sure your health insurance is up to date 🙂 )
4. PRACTICE RUN *MIGHT BE* REQUIRED. If so, it will be right before the race starts, or the day before. The race-day car and driver must both be present and must participate in this practice run. Please pay attention the few days before the event for further updates.
5. PARTICIPATION IN PARADE REQUIRED to race. Parade lineup is at 4:30 (but that could change).
6. Racer and car must be ready when called to race. Race position is forfeited if not available at time racer is called. All racers should be at the starting line by 5:45pm (subject to change – pay attention)
7. Helmets must be worn
8. NEW RULE: The vehicle might need to be towed in order to get back to the starting line. There should be something on the front or back to enable this to happen, and the whole car should be strong enough so it doesn’t get break apart and strung along the path like a yard sale behind the tow vehicle.
9. The vehicle must have working brakes (your shoes are not brakes)
10. The vehicle must have at least 3 wheels
11. No engine, pedals or other elements beyond gravity to move the car forward  – this is a gravity-only vehicle
12. A push-off is allowed but no other power enabler (i.e. no pedals)
13. The vehicle must have a steering mechanism
14. Maximum 2 riders – both must be behind the steering column and/or the front wheel(s) – we realize some vehicles are made in a way where this rule needs to be interpreted. The purpose of this rule is for protection of the riders. We want people to protect themselves. Please don’t put yourself in the position to fling headfirst by sitting out front as a hood ornament or doing the old “riding on the handlebars” thing we did as kids.
15. The body of the vehicle must be made with a healthy dose of common-sense-safety for riders AND for spectators. If your car hits someone, will it impale them? If so, please redesign it. The body of the vehicle must also not put the driver/rider in a vulnerable situation. Example: in a previous year, a car was made of sheet-metal with a hole cut out of top to stick head up through. Don’t do that, y’all!
16. Judges maintain the right to refuse a car from the race if it is deemed unsafe, offensive or otherwise inappropriate (this has never happened…but just sayin’ we’re goin’ a bit more legit these days).

Remember, winning is in the eye of the beholder (race judge), who might just not be paying attention at the time. You gotta take wins, losses and fairness in stride and with a lot of salt.

Just like the Olympics, google mapped the racecourse here – Track goes downhill on Umstead, and ends just after the speed bump (there’s a speed bump, y’all!)