Kirby Derby Downhill Racing

Building Gravity-powered Art for Raleigh’s best downhill derby

Raleigh Arts Raleigh, North Carolina

Kirby Derby Mainstays

Empowering Community Makers Through Creative Fabrication

Objective

Create an engaging and thematically rich entry for a local community derby that demonstrates MTR’s creative fabrication capabilities while fostering public goodwill and recognition.

Technologies Used

  • CAD Software: For initial design and structural testing.
  • Fabrication Tools: Hand tools and CNC machining for detailed components.
  • Crafting Techniques: Hand-crafting for unique finishing elements.

Implementation

  • Design Concept: Constructed a gravity-powered racer modeled after the iconic Oregon Trail wagon for the theme “Games People Play.” Incorporated a to-scale replica ox skeleton, integrated game audio from a nested speaker, and costumed team members to complete the historical narrative.
  • Fabrication Process: Utilized lightweight materials to ensure structural integrity while meeting derby weight restrictions. Collaborative brainstorming sessions yielded innovative solutions for both functional and thematic components.

Challenges

  • Resource Allocation: Diverting focus from client projects strained operational capacity, underscoring the need for effective prioritization frameworks.
  • Durability: Maintaining a lightweight yet resilient design under rigorous derby conditions required iterative prototyping and testing.

Outcome & Reflection

  • Community Engagement: The project attracted public attention, winning the Community Choice Award and showcasing MTR’s capacity to connect with audiences in unconventional settings.
  • Reflection: The initiative highlighted the importance of balancing community-driven projects with operational sustainability, inspiring new approaches for resource management in future non-commercial endeavors.

Community Impact

The project functions as a tool for community development, advertisement, and re-grounding our community of makers in the public eye. By engaging local residents and emphasizing innovative fabrication techniques, MTR reaffirms its commitment to supporting creative, grassroots initiatives.

A man with a beard in a red plaid shirt and sunglasses riding a small cart decorated with a horse head and greenery. He is wearing a white helmet with red accents. Several spectators and participants, some in costumes and helmets, are watching and taking pictures in the background. The scene appears to be part of an outdoor event or parade.
A decorated wagon with signs reading "Oregon Trail" and "Dr. Busch" parked on a street during a public event, with people sitting and standing around, and trees in the background.
People in costumes participating in a parade or outdoor event, with decorated carts resembling horses, a whiteboard, and a trailer in the background.
Metal workbench with a partially assembled metal frame clamp and spring mechanism, rusted tray underneath, in a workshop setting.
Group of people dressed in vintage and cowboy costumes inside a truck, posing for a photo with props including hats, a trophy, flowers, and a bicycle wheel.