• A three person Judging Panel including a Chief Judge and a Vehicle Inspector.
• Two Timers
• A Recorder.

• Masking tape for marking course boundaries
• Three barriers constructed as per contest rules.  Note that 2x4's purchased from building supply houses which store such stock unprotected from the weather may be wet, and should be purchased well enough in advance that they can be dried out ahead of use.  Among other problems, wet 2x4's can be difficult to secure with tape, etc.
• One rock placement target drawn as per contest rules.
• Two digital stop watches.
• A balance measuring in grams
• One "Popular Mechanics" 16" tool box, product no. PM00983, to check sizing of vehicles.  (Note that the alternative box allowed is slightly smaller, so using the toolbox for checking size is sufficient.)
• One "official rock" for each test course planned.  The Official Rock must be obtained from the Regional Office of ASME.  It will come in a sealed box which may be opened only at the contest in full view of everyone.

• The Regional Vice President should appoint the Judging Panel and Chief Judge prior to February 15, 1999, and report their names and e-mail addresses to the Student Design Contest Committee Chair.
• Timers and a Recorder should be appointed prior to the RSC.
• All personnel involved with the contest should read the problem statement and all Question & Answer bulletins very carefully. Anything unclear or confusing should be discussed by the Judging Panel before the contest.
• The Judges should have a pre-contest meeting with the contestants to discuss the contest rules and procedures, and to answer any questions.
• Note:  The Chief Judge should be the point of contact for any and all questions before or during the contest. The Chief Judge should discuss questions with the Judging Panel before answering them.
• The running order for the teams should be selected randomly (e.g., by having the teams pick numbers from a hat).
• When entering the contest area all teams using radio control units must turn them off and give them to the contest organizers.  Radio control units will remain in the control of the contest organizers until all teams have finished running.
• During preparation and "warm-up" time ahead of the contest the contest organizers may, at their discretion, allow the use of radio control units for checkout after taking appropriate steps to avoid interference between teams.  (For example, organizers may only allow one radio to be taken from the contest control center at any time, and may set time limits for its return.)
• Since action on the courses should be nearly continuous (no "setup" time is allowed) organizers may not want to run parallel test courses.  However, if two courses are to be used the organizers must take steps to avoid radio interference between teams operating at the same time.
• As part of the preparation and set-up the box containing the official rock(s) should be opened in full view of everyone and the rock placed on the test range.

• When called, each team must report to the "vehicle inspection" area.  The team must demonstrate that its vehicle will fit within the specified "Popular Mechanics" tool box or its equivalent.
•  The vehicle will then be weighed.  The hand-held part of radio control units will not be weighted.  The hand-held part of an umbilical-cord based control and the umbilical cord will not be weighted unless there is no connector at the vehicle end of the umbilical cord.
• If an umbilical cord control is used the teams must show the vehicle inspectors that the control unit does not contain any batteries.
• The teams must show the vehicle inspectors that all batteries are readily available (i.e., "over-the-counter) alkaline cells.
• When called for the test run each team will report to the contest range with its vehicle in the "Popular Mechanics" tool box or its equivalent.
• The team must then remove the vehicle from the toolbox and set it in the parking area.  No repairs or adjustments are permitted except for allowing an antenna to extend or to plug in an umbilical cord.
• The contestants next must give a one minute presentation to the Judges and audience. Questions that should be answered by the presentation include: How does the system work? What sequence of events should be expected as the event proceeds? What is unique to this design and why did you choose it?  (Failure to give this presentation is grounds for disqualification.)
• The vehicle and its control systems may be turned on at any convenient time after removal from the box.
• Judges will be positioned along the boundary lines to observe any departure from the course.
• When everyone is in position the Judges will give a "Start" signal.  Timing continues until the vehicle has completed the task and is at rest in the parking area again.
• Judges should observe, record, and announce any infractions of the course boundaries.
• If a vehicle leaves the course the Judges must make sure that it re-enters with its centerline within one inch of where it departed without anyone correcting the path of the vehicle.
• After the first run timing is complete, the rock placement noted, and the results recorded the contest organizers will replace the rock in its starting position.  They will then give a "Start" signal for the second run.  Note that during this time between runs team members may not touch the vehicle or alter its position or configuration in any way.

The winner will be the team with the lowest score, calculated as given in the contest rules.

Note:

• If there is a tie, the Judging Panel should select a winner based on "reliability" and "potential to succeed at the finals" as subjective measures. A run-off  may also be used.
• The Region Vice President is encouraged to give special awards to teams for originality, aesthetic appeal, enthusiasm, etc.