Last year’s AMUGderby was an overwhelming success, so we brought it back for AMUG 2025. Racers unleashed their creativity and “started their engines” (figuratively) by letting gravity do its thing in the AMUGderby.
The AMUGderby took place on Wednesday evening (April 2, 2025). Gravity-powered racecars, built by AMUG Members, didn’t have wood bodies made of pine. Instead, competitors designed and printed the racecars using AM technologies and materials.
New for 2025: 2 race classes
The 2 race classes for the 2025 AMUGderby were Standard and Open.
The Standard Class paired official BSA® axles & wheels with 3D-printed bodies weighing less than 6 ounces.
The Open Class allowed for heavier cars (10 ounces), mechanical propulsion and custom wheel & axle configurations.
Two ways to win
The cars competed head-to-head, and the fastest car in each class was named a “champion” of the 2025 AMUGderby.
AMUG also awarded a ‘Best Design’ prize. While iterating designs for raw speed, AMUG members let their creativity run wild.
Guidelines
The derby wasn’t a free-for-all in terms of vehicle specifications. There were limits to size, weight, and configurations that were confirmed during pre-race inspection.
For AMUGderby rules, design specs, and a link to purchase wheels/axles, download 2025 Rules and Race Procedures.
2025 AMUGderby Winners
Wow, the 2025 AMUGderby was a spectacular success! We had 52 competitors and hundreds of race fans cheering them on.
Race Results
Speed Champion – Standard Class
Brent Griffith (Labconco)
Brent’s “Black Mamba” had an average time of 3.128 seconds.
Speed Champion – Open Class
Robbie Highet (Mayo Clinic)
Robbie’s “Out of Time” had an average time of 3.110 seconds.
Best Design
Luke Hileman (Ricoh 3D for Healthcare)
“Mini Me” had a creative mix of a crouching, cartoonish body with a 3D-scan-derived likeness of Luke’s head.
AMUGderby winners (from top): Luke Hileman, Brent Griffith, and Robbie Highet.
