Dragster Design

Description

In this event, you will race individually against other dragsters in a 20-meter race using a CO2 cartridge to accelerate the car forward. You'll also submit a metric drawing of the vehicle you have created, as well as a list of the parts you used in your design. In addition, the vehicle must address the annual theme if there is one for that year.

This is a solo event.

Submissions for this event are in-person and take place during the conference.

What to Know

How to use CAD Software

Basic CAD will be extremely useful for this event, as designing the vehicle would be easy. In addition, the software can be used to create the metric drawings.

How to do basic woodwork

If one desires to create their dragster out of wood, the ability to use woodworking tools such as saws and dremels is highly recommended.

What to Submit

Your dragster vehicle
One metric drawing of your vehicle, including the top and side views
A list of all parts and materials used in the build

Dragster Vehicle

Various constraints are outlined in the rubric.

Metric Drawings

One metric drawing of your vehicle must be printed out for submission. Must include top and side views.

Materials List

A list of all parts and materials used in the dragster build must be documented and printed out.

Tools and Resources

CAD Software

Onshape - Easy to use and learn
Fusion 360 - More functions than Onshape, but moderately easy to use

Others

Basic Weight Distribution Calculator - See how weight is distributed throughout your car

Aerodynamics Simulation - Analyze how much drag impacts your car

Physics Context - Learn basic physics to understand how your car moves the way it does

Helpful Terminology

Aerodynamics: How air flows around an object, impacting the speed and drag

Drag: Air resistance that slows an object down

Downforce: The force pushing down on the car for traction

Center of Mass: The point in an object where the mass is balanced

Wheelbase: The distance between the front and rear axles

Axles: The rod on which wheels rotate

Ball Bearing: Reduces friction from the axle and the body of an object

Friction: Resistance between two forces sliding against each other

CAD (Computer-Aided Design): Software used to create 3D models

Tolerances: Acceptable ranges of variation in measurement for parts to fit properly

Iteration: Repeated versions of a design focused on improvement

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