f>t~~dX:3YE3,r:ttbiR~YQy"purchasehas' "beenttlr~ugh ,!d~~igQaG1c:J'tystingphases beforeqeingmass~produced and made availableTorsale to' the publiC. Automobiles are noexception, Car manufacturers start with anidea from persons within their company,usually called designers, and their ideas aredrawn on paper, Generally, several draw-ings are made and reviewed by personswithin the company, to help define theideas and work out details,

Once the design is finalized, a small-sizeprototype of the car is made, If the idea stilllooks good, an actual size model is pro-duced, This is called a "mock-up" or "pro-totype", At this point, changes to shapeand look are re-designed, After finalizingthe design a test car is made, The test caris reviewed by persons within the companyand with consumers, After the manyreviews, the final test car is produced andmass production of the vehicle begins,

Your dragster will go through some ofthese same steps, Realize that planninghow your car will look will play an importantpart in determining your desired outcome,If you are competing in a race, aerodynam-ics must be incorporated into your design,If you are not racing and competing in adesign or show class, the outcomes mustbe predicted in the design phase. Afterdesigning your dragster, you may chooseto build a styrofoam prototype of yourdesired shape. Once the design/prototypephases are complete, you will then begin toshape the wood block.

Beforedesigning your dragster,

think about some vehicle styles you like, Youmay want to do this with others in a group.Doing this is called "brainstorming" and canhelp you come up with some really coolideas, Remember if you "brainstorm" with

~~~~'~u~~~T ~t;!c;!~j"jt~r~,' =>ANYBODY'S ",<, '

IDEAS!!! Remember there are no bad ideasduring a brainstorming session, Some of the

best products you use everyday came fromsomebody's idea that was revolutionary and

maybe radically weird, Great designs and prod-ucts usually come by modifying one,of those

"weird" ideas. Don't forget to incorporate the end use of the car and thedetails of dimensions when you brainstorm. This will help you determinewhich of the ideas have the most potential to work, When designers createreal cars, they must design within certain guidelines governing width, heightoff the "ground", etc, Imagine what could happen if designers came up withcars which were too wide for the lanes on the road or too high to pass underbridges? It is important in any project to find out the limitations you mustwork within,

Once you determine how your car might look, startmaking rough sketches on note paper. The roughsketches should show your car from different

points of view. These are fairly quick sketches, anddo not need to be to size. You're just trying to see what some of your ideaswill look like. After you decide the basic look of your car, start to modify thedesign to fit the exact dimensions of your final version, When you decide howyour car will look, transfer your design to the graph paper that is included inthe kit. Draw your design from side, front, back and top views. Be sure tolocate the axle holes and allow room for the engine housing. Review yourdesign with someone before you begin styling a prototype or cutting your

. wood block.

Remember that your final drawings will bemade to the exact size of your car and willserve as a blueprint for producing yourdragster. Take your time! All details and designpoints must be included. Don't forget to incorporate the minimum and maxi-mum dimensions for TSA competition if you are making a race version drag-ster, Those dimensions are included in this booklet. If your dragster does notmeet specifications, it may not operate properly. Make sure your design doesnot cut into or too close to the engine housing. Check the specifications forthickness around the housing, The engine for your dragster is a pressure-filled CO2 cartridge which fits into the housing, Remember, don't drop orpuncture the cartridge, because the force of the escaping gas could cause

the container to iniure someone or freeze burn vour skin.

A protqtype is a model of theactUa!dragster.The prototype is made tothe same size as the finished'dragster, and may also be

painted or decorated tomimic the actual dragster.With this kit, you will make

your prototype out of Styrofoam.'$' Styrofoam is fragile, but will last

[; '°1. long enough to serve as a model for~ ~ building the real thing. Good

. craftsmanship is the key toproducing a good-looking, fast-

! running dragster. Carefully constructing a prototype will helpi you eliminate any design problems you may not have

~ expected, and it will make final production easier. Build itJ carefully and refer to your model and drawings often.J In addition to the block of Styrofoam and sandpaper in your~ kit, you will need these additional supplies to produce a~ prototype:"' Styrofoam Cutter and/or Coping Saw

Masking TapeScissors2 rubber bands

1 ball-point penDecorating supplies such as tempera paints,markers, decals, etc.

i.,~

'.~~""~~<.'-=-

Trim your top 8J]dside ~drawings on your graph papert.j

with a scissors. These areyour templates. These

paper templates'should be vvedge- J

shaped pieces roughly the size of your ,;Styrofoam block and have the design ,1

shape of your dragster on them. ~

Place the side view template on iyour block and tape it into place. ~

Trace around the template with a ball- ;point pen to transfer ihe dragster shape of '"

the drawing to your block. Repeat these steps to !transferthe top viewtemplateon to the block. ~

II

Place rubber bands around your .block to hold the pieces togetheras ~

i ~ you are cutting them out. If you do ~~ not do this, you will not be able to cut out the second side I~ because parts of your guideline will be missing. Use a vise . ~~ to hold the Styrofoam in place if you are using a saw, and ~~ remember not to over-tighten and squish your Styrofoam! m

~ Regardless of the cutting method, remember to move the ~

~ rubber bands to avoid cutting them! Remember to follow All i~ Safety Rules when using the saw or a hot wire cutter! I1 After cutting the design on your Styrofoam block, take the I~! rubber bands off and use the sandpaper to smooth the .!1 body shape. Don't rub too hard or the Styrofoam will crum- ~

~ ble. (Remember, your Styrofoam version will be rough.) ~;1 Mount the axles and wheels exactly where they should go, I'J and then check your prototype against the specifications. I

. Review your prototype with someone before you proceed ~to the final production stage of your dragster. fJ#I

~-"--,,- ~~._~~ - ~~".."~.

!j'i.''"~,,'):i~

r~;I

11

~1

,~~

~

~

Make one final check of your prototype:. Does the prototype look like your.drawings?. Are the dimensions withinspecifications?. Does the design of the prototypemeet your objectives?

If you answered "yes" to all three questions, youare ready to produce your dragster. If youanswered "no" to any of the questions, return tothe drawing board and rethink your design.

Remember, the sequence of steps to make yourreal dragster will be very much like what you did toproduce your prototype, except you will be using awood block.

The first step is to transfer your design to thewood block by attaching

your templates to thewood blank and tracing

around the outline. This step isexactly like the prototype version. Make sure youtransfer the SIDE view to the side of the block andthe TOP view to the top of the block. Follow youroutline pattern exactly and be sure to mark youraxle locations!

The next step is to drill your axle holes using a :y,6"

drill bit. (See drawing at right for placement.)After drilling the axle holes, place rubber bandsaround your block to hold the templates in placeand cut out the shapes. Remember not to cutthrough the rubber bands, but to move them likeyou did when cutting out the prototype. Use carewhen moving the rubber bands during the cuttingprocess!

After cutting out the bodyshape, use a wood rasp and/ora file to begin finalizingthe shape of your design.After the basic shape is made, begin sanding with

"

~

i'"11~",1§

I~'"~1!j~Mm-'if!~~l'!

~

'J,j

I

Im~

~

I

II

~, ',"" ',' ,c~~ -~~~~_'-=,_K_~~',_--A"-"-'-~~"" ,,-~~~,, =W"~"--~~=~~~'- ,'-',=.'e"-- .". '=,--""=,~_.~~~=r--=,,,

sand paper to finish shaping your dragster. Paintingreallycompletes the transformation from woodblock to miniature dragster, but doing a sloppy jobcan ruin the effects of a great design, Remember totake your time! Mark the location for your screweyes using a scratch awl or nail before painting yourdragster,

To prepare the dragster surface for painting, followthe suggested preparations of the paintmanufacturer.

Apply a primer or sealer coat tothe wood before painting. This

will make your final paint job lookgreat Use at least two coats of paint after priming,Follow the recommendations of the paintmanufacturer,but you will probably be asked tosand your dragster between coats with a fine tovery fine sand paper. This will help to remove anyflaws and let the next coat of paint adhere better tothe previous coat After the paint is dry, do anydetailing or lettering to finish your dragster, Also,consider applying a coat of clear varnish over yourfinal coat of paint This will protect your detailingand paint and help your dragster go faster duringthe race.

After the detail work is completed, you will need toput the hardware on your dragster. First, place thesoda-straw through the;;'," drilled holes in thedragster, The straws will serve as axle bearings foryour axles and wheels, Then place the axlesthrough the straws. Add an axle washer on eachend of the axle and you are ready to place the-

For Wheel Placement

11!"'-I!\[J\Ki(1£;)-,~1

Finally,install the screw eyes into the marks youmade on the bottom of the dragster. Make surethey are in a straight line or your dragster will losespeed and move to the side during the race.

UNSHAPED BLOCK~

3/4" D',meje,l19mm)

--L-

UNSHAPED BLOCK

1t{,;wEHilli@@W1iWfM~ (5 mml

L 11/4" .--JI' 132mm)1

For Wheel Placement

T3/4'

(19mml--L

r-5/8" (16 mm)

~

23/4" 170mml---1

2 "151mmJ >! I23/4"

(70:nm)

'111/4"

(32mm)

, ~-, "'_--"'-'<"""",--"'" ,.." ",,' ""','",=~&,~""",,,,~"?,,~~,,-~~,~"". ~_~2=_"""Y'=,"=~~=~=B&~~.,._~..L..,..,-==""",-""'."

12" (300 mml

Before the race, there are some thingsyoJ.Jcan do to improve the performance ofyour dragster. Roll the dragster down a smooth ramp and check for the followingthings:.Does the dragster roll straight?.Do the wheels spin freely?.Are the wheels on straight?

This process is called "testing" or "troubleshooting". You are looking for any problems which mayshow up during the race and keep your dragster from performing at its best. Testing is a vital part of

the research and design process and should not be neglected. It is your last chance to change or modifyyour design before presentation. In the real world, testing helps keep inferior products out of the marketplace.Once everything is installed and tested, take a deep breath, and congratulations...you're ready to race!

:;;:;"~C==3!C::='"-7F.""JE:~C~cc~'O_'~~:=~=="'==="7,CdC.":,.,:...:Y:=a'i"""C""',~'.T"C~.

Use these specifications for hof:jby.ant/andnon-fijducational $ppnsored racing events.

Axle Hole position frQmeither end of bodyAxle Hole (position above bottom of car)

- Dragster Body Length~ Dragster Body Mass with wheels without CO2 Cartridge~1 VehicleBody Width at axlehores,front and back~ Vehicle Body Width including wheelsj Screw Eye DistanceApart

Wheel base

~""",~",-=<>=~"""""-"=-=<,,=,,,,,,,,~~~=='~""""<--'==~=,

MAXIMUMMetric English

100 mm 3 1'*'16"10 mm 1:}32"

305 mm 12 "170 gr. 6 oz.42 mm 1 g,g"80 mm 3 %2"

270 mm 10 %"270 mm 10 g,g"

MINIMUMMetric English9 mm :}a"5 mm :}16"-

200 mm 7 7;8"45 gr. 1.59 oz.35 mm 1 3/8"

155 mm105 mm

6 W'4 1;8"

""'~F_" ...~.,,' ..",...~'.. ..,"""'" ",'."."'," ,cc.L.,.,S,"O. '.=S::"'?""-"T~.cc"'s"..::;=-,,,::=,,"'.'C:.:=' ,. -. ..-=':;E"2c~'7::."'~,"':'_=2",,-.,":=.

,..- ",~. - - o. ., . --

Usethsespecificationsfor a greater challengeor forfi!lIentssanctionedbythe, Technology MAXIMUM MINIMUMStudents ,Association. Metric English Metric English;i

;j Axle Diameter (only two allowed) 3 mm 1;8" 3 mm 1;8"i Axle Length 70 mm 2 :}'4" 42 mm 1 g,g"

Axle Bearings Diameter 4.5 mm :r16" 3.5 mm 1;8"

I Axle Hole Diameter 4.5 mm :}'16" 3.5 mm 1;8"

; Axle Hole position from either end of body100 mm 3 116" 9 mm 3;8"

I Axle Hole (position above bottom of car)10 mm 1:}32" 5 mm :}16"

Spacer Bearing Diameter 9 mm :}B" 7 mm "114"

Dragster Body Length 305mm 12 " 200 mm 7 7;B"

I Dragster Body Height with wheels

75 mm 3 "

, Dragster Body Mass with wheels without CO2Cartridge 170' gr. 6 oz. 45 gr. 1.59 oz.

I Vehicle Body Width at axle holes, front and back42 mm 1 g,g" 35 mm 1 3/8"

I Vehicle Body Width including wheels80 mm 3 %2"

Power Plant Hole Depth 52 mm 2 1116" 50 mm 1 1'*'16"

I Power Plant Housing Thickness (around entire housing)3 mm 1 :}B"

I Power Plant Chamber Diameter 20 mm 1:f'16" 19 mm :}'4"

I Power ,Plant Center Line from body bottom35 mm 1 3;8" 31 mm 1 "114"

I Screw Eye Inside Diameter5 mm :r16" 3 mm 1;8"

I Screw Eye DistanceApart270 mm 10 g,g" 155 mm 6 W'

. Wheels, Front Diameter37 mm 1 l;tJ6" 32 mm 1 "114"

I Wheels, Front Width of greatest diameter5 mm :rIB" 2 <nIT'

.J. Wheels, Rear Diameter 40 mm 1 9/16" 30 mm

Wheels, Rear Width of greatest diameter 18 mm 2:}32" 15 mm !}16";.8"bP.P.i. hrt.. 270 mm 10 g,g" 105 mm 4 1;8"