Last year’s AMUGderby was an overwhelming success, so we brought it back for AMUG 2026. Racers unleashed their creativity and “started their engines” (figuratively) by letting gravity do its thing in the AMUGderby.
Get ready for another exciting AMUGderby! Building on the overwhelming success from our last two years of racing, AMUGderby 2026 took place on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. The racers once again unleashed their creativity by designing and 3D printing gravity-powered racecars.
Participants harnessed advanced AM technologies and materials to craft cars that not only challenged gravity but also showcased innovative design and engineering skills.
2026 AMUGderby Winners
Wow, the 2025 AMUGderby was a spectacular success!
Race Results
Speed Champion – Standard Class
Dan Davis (Sandia National Laboratories)
Dan’s “Dang!” had an average time of 3.1132 seconds.
Speed Champion – Open Class
Brian Post (Oak Ridge National Laboratory)
Brian’s “The Jet” beat other racers by more than 0.5 seconds!
Best Design
Luke Hileman (Ricoh 3D for Healthcare)
“Little Shredder” stole the show, picked by the Scouts of Spanish Springs for its creativity and craftsmanship.
AMUGderby winners (from top): Brian Post and Luke Hileman with “Dang!” pictured in the center.
AMUG 2026: 2 race classes
The 2 race classes for the 2026 AMUGderby are Standard and Open.
The Standard Class pairs official BSA® axles & wheels with 3D-printed bodies weighing less than 6 ounces.
The Open Class allows for heavier cars (10 ounces), mechanical propulsion and custom wheel & axle configurations.
Two ways to win
The cars compete head-to-head, and the fastest car in each class will be named a “champion” of the 2026 AMUGderby.
AMUG will also award a ‘Best Design’ prize. While iterating designs for raw speed, AMUG members let their creativity run wild.
Guidelines
The derby isn’t a free-for-all in terms of vehicle specifications. There are limits to size, weight, and configurations that are confirmed during pre-race inspection.
For AMUGderby rules, design specs, and a link to purchase wheels/axles, download 2026 Rules and Race Procedures.
