CO2 Dragster design is the a fun and exciting activity that allows students to explore the design process, while learning the basic principals of aerodynamic design and Newton's Laws of Motion. Students start by brainstorming ideas through thumbnail sketches, then develop their ideas into orthographic projections. Students design a 3D model of their dragster using Pro/DESKTOP technical design software. Throughout the process of creating a dragster, students must follow specific design requirements and utilize basic measuring skills. After actual hands on creation of their design, students test their car design in actual class racing competition. Finally the students complete a feedback writing assignment on the unit, and complete an assessment on the design principals learned throughout the unit.

Orthographic drawing

3D Pro/DESKTOP model

CO2 Dragster

Engineering Principals
• Newton's Laws of Motion- acceleration is dependent upon the mass & force of the car.
• Mass - the lighter the car weighs, the faster the car will travel!
• Drag - the resistance of wind moving over an object.
• Friction - On a CO2 car, friction occurs primarily in three places:

– between the wheels and the ground,
– between the axles and the car body,
– between the eye-hook and the fish line track.

Design Requirements
Length: 12” max, 8”min
Height: 3” max, 2-1/4”min
Width at axles: 1-5/8”max, 1-3/8”min
Width all other: 1/2" minimum
Thickness at CO2 insert: 1/8” minimum
Screw eye separation 10-1/2” max, 6”min
Mass: 45g min to 170 max

Types of CO 2 Cars

	• Rail Cars- narrow "rail" that connects the front axle to the back of the car, typically use external wheels (wheels on the outside of the body), the body of the car is usually lower to the ground in the front and middle and then rises up abruptly to hold the CO2 cartridge.
	• Shell Cars- internal wheels, clean aerodynamic "bullet' shape, hollow underside "shell" body.
	• Show Cars- stunning design, high degree of creativity in the design, usually very intricate and delicate in their construction, very showy paint jobs with glass like finishes.
	• Normal Cars - Normal cars are built to race, may use characteristics of other car styles.