WHAT IS A ROCKER COVER?
The rocker cover is the very top cover on your A-series engine, which covers, oddly enough, the rocker gear.
The two main purposes of this cover are to keep oil inside the top of the engine and to keep dirt, water, etc. out. There is a third (and no less important) purpose - to use in ROCKER COVER RACING.
HISTORY OF ROCKER COVER RACING
If you would like to know the history of this exciting sport, its origins, champions and supporters over the years, don't ask me! I haven't got a clue.
WHAT IS A ROCKER COVER RACER AND HOW DO I MAKE ONE?
So what is a rocker cover racer, exactly? Well, it's a rocker cover with wheels - the faster the better. Take a rocker cover, add some wheels (minimum of three if you expect it to go anywhere), put on any extra bit required by the rules (bumper bar etc.) and Robert's your father's brother, you have a rocker cover racer.
Now if you paint it up really nice and personalise it a bit more it will look good too. I'm told that, like Ferraris and Minis, red ones go faster.Wheels could be those from skateboard/roller skate, toy car, or any other round type moving bit. Some people use CDs or machined aluminium discs (be careful about rule #1) mounted on roller bearings.
If you're still a bit puzzled about how to go about it, speak to an experienced racer constructor, but don't expect too many secrets to be given away. I've heard a rumour, but can't be sure of its authenticity, that this is how Jack Brabham got started.
So, get cracking and building those rocker cover racers. This could be the start of something big (or small).
RULES
To simplify the situation, the VMCI has adopted a set of rules that can be found in the entry form below.
- Craig Watson 'Watto', The Mini Experience Magazine |
