in the 1960s, freshman fraternity pledges were often forced to ride tricycles around campus. georgia tech's mini 500 was derived from this practice and was first organized by the ramblin' reck club in 1969 and has been orchestrated during the week leading up to the homecoming football game every year since. the race is divided into men's and women's divisions. men must complete 15 laps around peters parking deck while women must complete 10. in times of poor weather, the race can be shortened. the teams are made up of assorted fraternities, sororities, rotc, sports clubs, and other student organizations. the teams can have up to seven members (4 drivers and 3 pit crew). as the tricyclers race, they must complete three pit stops in which the front tire is rotated. each tire rotation and each lap is counted by a designated ramblin' reck club member. the tricycles are provided by ramblin' reck club but because they are made for children, an additional support bar can be welded to the frame. the toy tricycles require unique techniques and strategies for effective riding.