Homecoming: Mini 500 Race

Georgia Tech's Mini 500 race is a tradition that has been an essential part of homecoming events since 1969. Sponsored by the Ramblin' Reck Club, this race derived from a prank fraternities used in the 1960s in which pledges were forced to transport themselves around campus on tricycles. Today, the Mini 500 race is far from being considered a punishment. It is an exciting, intense tricycle competition full of humor and fun.

The Tradition 

The Mini 500 is an annual tricycle race around Peters Parking Deck that occurs on the Friday before the Homecoming football game. It is one of Georgia Tech’s most unique traditions put on by Ramblin’ Reck Club since 1969.

Teams are comprised of seven members: four to take turns as the driver and three on the pit crew. Each team is required to rotate the front tire of their tricycle three times throughout the course of the race. All teams try to complete 8 laps without destroying their tricycle.

Some teams utilize their engineering skillset, as necessary (but restricted) reinforcement of the tricycle is imperative to a team’s success. The Mini 500 is without a doubt one of the most entertaining events of Homecoming week and is definitely something you won’t want to miss!

Sign Up

Sign-ups for Mini 500 are within the general Homecoming sign-ups and will be open Sept. 24–27 at tickets.studentcenter.gatech.edu. Mini 500 costs $100 dollars to participate in and includes the tricycle and t-shirts for members of your Mini 500 team.  

Questions?

Please reach out to our chairs below for any questions you may have!   

Isabel Wickliffe 
HOCO Reck Club Chair
Isabel.Wickliffe@gatech.edu

Brandon Dobson
Mini-500 Sub-Chair
brandon.dobson@gatech.edu

Rachel Hurst
Mini-500 Sub-Chair
rhurst8@gatech.edu

Event Details

Date/Time:

  • Friday, November 1, 2019
    6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Fee(s): Free to watch, $100 per team to race

Related Media

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  • Georgia Tech Mini 500

  • Mini 500

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