Safety
IMPORTANT NOTE:
The operation of any vehicle (motorized or not) has inherent safety risk associated with it. Operation of a soapbox racer could result in serious injury, including loss of limb and even death for the operator(s), passengers and spectators.
Building a soapbox also has its own safety issues that could cause serious injury including the loss of limb and even death.
Using the safe design, building and operating principles, outlined below, can help to lower but not eliminate the risks associated with the construction and operation of your soapbox racer.
The DERBY*GOKIT® soapbox racer kit allows the builder's creativity to run wild. However, when imagination runs wild the resulting build may not be the greatest from a safety design aspect. Using the simple design principles discussed herein should be a good start to a safe experience.
- Keep the centre of gravity as low as possible to prevent overturning. A design incorporating a toilet as a seat may look like a great idea. However, it will be prone to overturning due to its high centre of gravity. Similarly, designs using couches may seem very comfortable at the before the start of the race. However, it may not be the safest design once the race starts.
- Keep the placement of wheels spaced wide apart to resist overturning.
- Use the wheels provided with the DERBY*GOKIT ®. When making hard turns, wheels with better traction will have a higher tendency to grab hold and initiate overturning rather than sliding.
- Ensure that there are no sharp corners or loose objects in the design.
- Design your soapbox such that limbs are protected.
- Incorporate good working brakes into the design.
- Moving your rear wheels forward may make popping wheelies easier but downward pressure on the front wheels is necessary to steer your soapbox.
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The DERBY*GOKIT ® provides a robust platform from which to build your soapbox. The safe operation principles, listed below, should be followed when operating the soapbox.
- Do not operate your soapbox in an open roadway or area where vehicles are present.
- Operate away from bystanders, animals and parked vehicles that could be dammaged or injured if struck by your soapbox.
- Wear proper personal protective equipment when operating your soapbox (such as a helmet, gloves, closed toed shoes, knee and elbow guards).
- Do not wear loose clothing that could get caught in wheels. Keep hands and feet away from wheels.
- Young children should be supervised at all times by a parent or guardian.
- Ensure your soapbox is in safe working condition. Make sure brakes are in working order and that there are no loose or missing fasteners.
- While building your soapbox, ensure that tools are in good working order with all necessary guards in place. Wear proper personal protective equipment for the task at hand (e.g., eye protection, gloves, no loose clothing, closed toed shoes, as required).
- Young children should be supervised at all times during the build. Also, children tend to not mind having a parent/teacher/guardian operate power tools for them.
- If you are uncomfortable operating power tools ask someone else to do the work. We have found that the local lumber store, where you purchase your plywood, will likely also cut it to size for a nominal fee.