3:00pm - 10:00pm

October 19th, 2019

RSVP NOW

The 2019 Pumpkin Derby

It's (hopefully) a brisk, sunny, fall afternoon in Oshkosh. You've been working on your derby car for at least 2 Hours by now and you're beyond excited to race it. Nerves are tense as you walk up to the starting ramp, pumpkin cart in one hand and a tasty, fall-themed beverage in the other. Do you have what it takes to win? Be sure to check out the rules below so you're sure to not be disqualified on race day!

You'll find rules and regulations, maybe some ideas, and an RSVP form below. We need to know in which division you'll be participating so we can have the brackets set up and ready to race!

Sure, you can bring your kids. They're even encouraged to race! It'll be appreciated if they enter as themselves that you don't make their pumpkin racer yourself.

Alcoholic beverages, apple, and pumpkin juice are provided as well as a few other seasonal non-alcoholic treats.

You might get hungry, you say? No problem! We'll fire up the BBQ grill and cook up some typical backyard BBQ meats. We'd appreciate some sort of side dish or salad or dessert. There'll be a signup here so others know what your plan is so we don't end up with 500 salads and only 1 pumpkin pie.

Overview

3 Pumpkin Leagues

Mini • Standard • Rocket
(Yes, there will be a rocket league for adults only)

Seasonal BBQ Food

Please bring a side, salad, or desert to share. We'll provide the grilled meats.

Trophies

Take home one trophy from multiple categories! League, best in show, cutest, crapiest, and more!

Pumpkin Derby Leagues

You're allowed 1 entry per person per division for a maxiumum of 3 pumpkins each. Choose wisely.

program
4:00 PM The Driveway

Standard League Begins

By Heat

Standard League begins by heat. Be sure you're there and have had your pumpkin weighed!

League Rules

Standard League

  • Pumpkin derby racers should be made out of a regular-sized carving pumpkin.
  • Pumpkin derby racers must be crafted using a single, whole pumpkin. Sure you can hollow it out and/or carve it but it must retain its over-all pumpkin shape.
  • Pumpkins must use a minimum of 2 through-axels.
  • There can be no sub-assembly or "chasis" with which you set your pumpkin upon. Axels must go through the pumpkin body.
  • All pumpkin derby racers must be under 20 pounds each when fully assembled. They WILL be weighed day of before being allowed to race.
  • Wheels may be no larger than 5" in diameter.
  • Pumpkin derby cars may be no wider than 15". If they're wider, they won't fit on the ramp and you're sorta outta luck then.
  • No propultion devices may be used. This is soley a gravity-powered division.
  • No pyrotechnics will be allowed.

Winning the division

Yes, you'll probably hate the trophy, but it's a trophy!

Winners of each heat will move on in the competition. You win by crossing the finish line first in your heat. Reruns will only be allowed for ramp malfuntions, not for pumpkin derby racer malfunctions or break downs.

The winner of the final heat will take home the trophy! So be sure that your pumpkin derby racer has what it takes for multiple heats.

program
4:30 PM The Driveway

Mini League Begins

By Heat

Mini League begins by heat. Be sure you're there and have had your pumpkin weighed!

Mini League Rules

And Regulations

  • Pumpkin derby racers should be crafted out of a miniture pumpkin.
  • Pumpkin derby racers must be crafted using a single, whole pumpkin. Sure you can hollow it out and/or carve it but it must retain its over-all pumpkin shape.
  • Pumpkin derbey racers may use subframe or chasis.
  • All pumpkin derby racers must be under 7 pounds each when fully assembled. They WILL be weighed day of before being allowed to race.
  • Wheels may be no larger than 3" in diameter.
  • Pumpkin derby cars may be no wider than 15". If they're wider, they won't fit on the ramp and you're sorta outta luck then.
  • No propultion devices may be used. This is soley a gravity-powered division.
  • No pyrotechnics will be allowed.

Winning the division

Yes, you'll probably hate the trophy, but it's a trophy!

Winners of each heat will move on in the competition. You win by crossing the finish line first in your heat. Reruns will only be allowed for ramp malfuntions, not for pumpkin derby racer malfunctions or break downs.

The winner of the final heat will take home the trophy! So be sure that your pumpkin derby racer has what it takes for multiple heats.

program
5:00 PM The Street

Rocket League Begins

By Heat

Rocket League begins by heat. Be sure you're there and have had your pumpkin inspected and that you've previously attempted propulsion with a pumpkin derby car. Safety is a huge concern here, so try to make sure you don't blow anything up.

More betterer rules will be emailed and updated here once Dave gets off his lazy butt and does some test fires.

Rocket League Rules

And Regulations

  • Pumpkin derby racer must weigh less than xxx kg and not more than xxx kg.
  • Pumpkin derby racer must be easily attached to the rocket sled (XXX mm x YYY mm x ZZZ mm)
  • ~50% of the original pumpkin structure must remain unmodified.
  • Full derby racer and pumpkin must be sound enough to survive the race.
  • Construct your pumpkin derby rocket league racer out of a single pumpkin.
  • Since these are self-proplled, there will be no starting ramp.
  • Limited to adults only. Sorry, kiddos.

Winning the division

Yes, you'll probably hate the trophy, but it's a trophy!

Winners of each heat will move on in the competition. You win by crossing the finish line first in your heat. Reruns will only be allowed for ramp malfuntions, not for pumpkin derby racer malfunctions or break downs.

The winner of the final heat will take home the trophy! So be sure that your pumpkin derby racer has what it takes for multiple heats.

RSVP Here

We gotta know how many pumpkin heats to have, and how many foods to get.

Please make sure that you've read and understand the league differences. Remember only one derby racer per person per division. If you want to race more than one you're going to need to find a derby buddy.

Do you have Questions?

That's probably a good thing. Maybe you'll find an answer to your questions below. If not, hit us up via email and we'll get them answered.

If you don't know where to get a pumpkin, perhaps this isn't the event for you. On the other hand, you can always hit up the Festival Foods pumpkin extravaganza which is typically the first weekened in october. Otherwise, just look at the signs on the roads while you're taking your sunday afternoon drive; pretty sure you'll see a "pumpkins" sign sooner or later.

Your best bet for last-minute parts is your local hardware store. They should have plenty of all-thread for making axels as well as tons of washers and nuts needed to properly place your wheels on the axels. You can probably even find wheels there in the lawn and garden area.

If you're a little more prepared, you can always purchase on Amazon. Here's a few links for 5" wheels, all-thread, and some washers and nuts.

But be creative! Make your own thing. Don't worry if it doesn't run perfectly straight or 100% true.

Venue

You'll probably see us out front, setting up some ramps for some sick jumps

Meagher Household

3071 Rosewood Ln

Oshkosh, WI 54904

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