We love tools. We love racing. So why not love both? Together. At the same time. There is nothing better (that we can imagine, at any rate) than seeing people take otherwise fully-functioning circular saws, belt sanders, and other spinning tools and reconfiguring them to be used as a "racing" tool. It's dangerous, destructive and terribly fun to watch. That's essentially the Ohio Tool Racing Championship in a nutshell.

Well now it's almost time for the 2nd Annual Tool Race event. The races are sponsored by Ohio Power Tool & Coptool.com. We were fortunate enough to meet up with Jay Amstutz at several manufacturer-sponsored tool events this and last year. Jay runs Coptool and he filled us in on all the fun they had last year running the races and making general mayhem. From the videos we saw online from last year's event it looked like an absolute blast.

This year's Event Host is the Columbus Idea Foundry, a community workshop, learning center and occasional art gallery. The Foundry is letting entrants work with their tools & machinery at the Columbus Idea Foundry (though no racer parts are provided). Registration as a Racer is required and regular usage charges for welding, CNC & other materials may apply. Monthly memberships are available to the general public for use of their tools (woodworking, metalworking, welding, plasma cutting and even CNC). They even have a computer lab with internet, electronics, embedded control, digital arts software, sketching, photography and more. This seems like the perfect place to build and construct your tool racers for the event.

Build Sessions: Wednesday, August 4th, 11th & 18th

Racing Classes

Machines in all classes are based on handheld power tools powered by standard 20 amp 120 AC electric power cords, except Top Fuel which is also open to an entrant's own power source. This can include battery, gas engines or other Hand Tool power supplies. Examples of hand tools are machines like belt sanders, grinders, circular saws, drills, chainsaws, weed wackers, etc. Also, no vehicles built from RC cars allowed, cause they are boring. The categories are:

• Stock - single engine, limited mods, home-built
• Top Fuel - Multi-motor, anything goes, home-built
  

The Race

The big event is a two-lane race track. It's basically 75' of plywood track, plus 20 feet of "slow down" room to decelerate into material designed to stop your racer and also provide some protection. The parallel tracks are 12" in width and have 2x4 rails on each side to keep the racer fixed within. Admission is free for spectators, so entrants are expected, and encouraged, to bring friends to witness the carnage (of wood, not fingers!) The event is outdoors, so sunblock and lawn chairs are recommended.

Date: Saturday, August 21st

Daily Schedule

• 2-4pm Belt Sander Build-Off
• 4pm Belt Sander Races
• 5-7pm Main Event Power Tool Drag Racing
• 7pm+ Celebrating Victories

Extra Things to Do

• Win, Lose or Draw!
  

  This year there will be a trackside sign competition. Ohio Tool Racing Championship will provide posterboard and markers for creative fans. Then, the best poster seen during the competition will win a commemorative T-shirt and other fun prizes.

• Art Auction
  On display will be pieces of artwork from members of the Idea Foundry. These will be available for bidding and more details will be available on the Ohio Tool Racing website shortly.

• Shop Demos
  The Idea Foundry will be opened up to the public on race day so spectators can see what some of CBUS' most ingenious minds are working on. Some of the demos throughout the day will include Blacksmithing, Art Car Design, woodworking, and CNC production.

• Food A'plenty
  Hot dogs, snacks & refreshments will available for purchase at the event.

At the Event – All Day

• Idea Foundry Demos – ShopBot, MakerBot, Blacksmithing oh my
  
• Local Artists Art Auction
  
• Poster Making Competition
  
• Food & Refreshments

Do you think that the Grand Champion-- Of the 1st Years Race--(That would be me--TJ) would miss the Second Ohio Power Tool Racing Event... No Way-- and Yes The PIG will be returning with his head sewn back on.... Yes Believe It !!!

- Quote from First Years Winner

Pictures from Last Year

http://picasaweb.google.com/tjride/PowerToolDragRace
http://www.flickr.com/photos/roller-pix/sets/72157620031585308/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/39737469@N08/

Prizes

Ohio Power Tool & Coptool.com will be donating hundreds of dollars worth of tool prizes including a Bosch PS21-2A, Craftsman AutoHammer, DeWalt DCF610S2, Various Accessory Kits and more depending on amount of entrance.

Safety

As dangerous as this event may seem, Ohio Power Tools is really working hard to make sure the event is as safe as possible for all racers & fans. While they are playful with the signs and posters, be aware that every precaution will be taken to ensure the safety of all involved. Ohio wants this race to be a long-standing event for many years to come!

This should be a VERY fun event. If you are even remotely near Ohio... like Pennsylvania or, say, even California... heck, Alaskans need a break from the cold... check this out. It's going to be awesome!