The Mini 500 is an annual 8 lap tricycle race that takes place around Peter’s Parking Deck on the Friday afternoon before the Homecoming football game. It is one of Georgia Tech’s most unique traditions put on by Ramblin’ Reck Club since 1969. Teams consist of seven members: four racers and three pit crew who are responsible for maintenance and tire rotations. Each team is required to rotate their front tire three times throughout the course of the race, typically following the second, fourth, and sixth lap. All teams attempt to complete all 8 laps as quickly as possible without destroying their tricycle.
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Tricycles will be distributed a few weeks prior to the race to allow for proper modification. Please keep an eye out regarding further communication of exact dates and pick up location.
Each team must paint their tricycle in order to participate. RED TRICYCLES WILL NOT RACE. This is the only modification that a team must make, but it is highly encouraged that a team uses their knowledge and skills as GT students to modify their Tricycle further because if no further modifications are made the tricycle is almost guaranteed to not make it through the race. Common modifications are:
The Race will be around Peters Parking Deck with the Pits for each team lining the Peters Parking Deck side of Fowler Street and the start being at the corner of Fowler St. and Bobby Dodd Way. Each team will receive an email with their assigned pit number. The team will report to THEIR PIT between 4:30pm and 4:55PM and check in with their pit boss (A member of Ramblin Reck Club). Teams should arrive with their racers, pit crew, tricycles, and any approved tools required for wheel rotations. Mini 500 shirts will be provided at your assigned pit.
Each team will have four members who are deemed racers. They will take turns completing a lap each until each racer has completed two laps for a total of eight laps done by the team. There are many different techniques used by racers to propel the tricycle so just choose what works best for you!
It is difficult to propel a tricycle as a full grown human and may result in a few scraps and bruises so we recommend wearing some form of bottom that covers your legs (jeans, sweatpants, leggings) as well are wearing reinforcement on your shoes (such as duct tape) or shoes you don’t care about because they will be hitting the pavement and may get scuffed up!
The team will also have 3 pit members who will remain in the pit and facilitate changes in drivers as well as the three front wheel rotations that must be performed after every 2 laps.
After every two laps the team is required to perform a rotation of their front tire. This will be monitored by the pit boss assigned to the teams pit and completed after lap 2, 4, and 6. A wheel reversal consists of removing the front tire, rotating it, and then reattaching the front tire.
Have any questions? Reach out to us at rrcmini500@gmail.com or rrchomecoming@gmail.com.