ABOUT
The Nerdy Derby is a no-rules* miniature car building and racing competition inspired by the Cub Scouts' Pinewood Derby. With a larger, more undulating track and no restrictions on the size of the cars or materials participants can use, the Nerdy Derby rewards creativity, cleverness and ingenuity.
The first-ever Nerdy Derby will take place at World Maker Faire New York on September 29th and 30th at the New York Hall of Science in Queens. Visitors can bring their own cars to race, choose from a selection of pre-built cars, or make their cars on site in our workshop.
The Nerdy Derby is organized by a group of students at New York University's Interactive Telecommunications Program. We designed and built the track, and are brainstorming fun ways to "trick it out" with electronic bells and whistles. Not only that, but we're also building our own cars to compete against each other in preparation for Maker Faire.
* While there are technically no rules for the competition, we ask that participants exercise common sense when it comes to safety.
AWARDS
TO INSPIRE CREATIVITY WE WILL BE DOLING OUT PRIZES FOR A FEW CATAGORIES
>> The Underdog
The I thought this car was going to be awful but it's actually pretty breathtaking category
>> The Tricked Out
The light emitting, motor-driving, noise-making, environment sensing category
>> The Delicious
The partially edible, fully raceable and totally adorable category
>> The Not-So-Pretty aka 'self-confident'
The most asymmetrical on the outside rock-solid on the inside category
>> The King of the Hill
The inertia jedi that slows to an almost zero speed at the apex of the hill before continuing to the finish line category
GET INVOLVED
BUILD A CAR
Our track is designed to accomodate cars of the standard Pinewood Derby dimensions, so if you start with a derby kit, you're in good shape. But feel free to think outside those dimensions.
SPONSOR THE EVENT
If you're a company looking to sponsor our Nerdy Derby, contact us.
CONTACT US
If want to get in touch, contact us.