WIND POWERED VEHICLES AT BURNING MAN 2002

To those of you who like to sail on the playa there are some new rules for the event. As some of you may be aware, wind-powered vehicles were banned in 1999 after someone crashed a very large & heavy wind-powered vehicle into the Opera sculpture during the 1998 event. This year the Black Rock City Department of Mutant Vehicles (BRC-DMV) has created a set of rules which will allow limited use of wind-powered vehicles to sail on the playa. This is a pilot program that we have been working hard to implement. Please respect the regulations and work within the BRC-DMV guidlelines. Let's make this a permanent addition to the Burn! Send us an if you if any questions. Hope we'll see you sailing on the Playa.
Cheers,
Dave & Jonno 

All wind-powered vehicles that comply with the Specifications and planned for operation within the Black Rock City (BRC) perimeter fence must receive a Department of Mutant Vehicles (BRC-DMV) license. Wind-powered vehicles that do not comply with the Specifications or do not receive a BRC-DMV license must operate outside the BRC perimeter fence and may be dropped off once and secured at the BRC Airport for more convenient access. Night sailing will not be permitted. You are advised to be proficient at sailing your rig (Burning Man is not the place to learn how to windsurf). As with any Art Car, any vehicle which is operated in a manner deemed unsafe or in violation of the Art Car rules will be cited and may loose operating privileges.


Specifications and Regulations (Printable)164K Aodbe PDF
How we got here: History of windsurfing at Burning Man
For more info on land-windsurfing in general: www.streetsailing.com
We need volunteers and we might have a parade!!
PICTURES AND QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE TO ACCEPTABLE WIND POWERED VEHICLES
Click any picture for a closer look
Manual Brake Required
Braking System: This is one example of an acceptable mechanical break. Many other designs will suffice provided they are capable of bringing the vehicle to a stop in a reasonably short distance. Build a brake
Standing position & pivoting mast required. An attached trailer for carrying passengers or light cargo is acceptable.
This picture is one example of acceptable windsailing vehicles. Many other designs will suffice provided they are less than 50 pounds, have a pivoting mast and are operated while standing.
Pivoting mast required
This is one example of an acceptable pivoting mast.
No fixed mast land yachts (long axle, fixed mast, heavy weight, and operated in a reclining position,)
Unnaceptable fixed Mast vehicle, with reclining operator.
No kite powered vehicles while either sitting down OR standing. Kite lines can cause serious and debilitating injuries and lacerations to both bystanders and operators.
Unnacceptable Kite Buggy
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Since this is outside of the typical scope of the BRC-DMV, we need some of the windsurfing crew to be at the DMV to help register some of these craft and answer questions. Please let us know if you are willing and able to offer some of your time to assist with this important first year registration process.
PARADE/EXHIBITION: We would like to organize a windsurfing parade/exhibition of some sort at the event. The final parade details will be posted at the BRC-DMV registration site at the event so please check in there for details [the parade is tentatively scheduled for Friday at 2pm at the inner playa between Center Camp and The Man]. The person with the most creative craft will win a special burning man prize.