WYOMING TECHNOLOGY STUDENT ASSOCIATION

WYOMING TECHNOLOGY STUDENT ASSOCIATION

PITSCO DRAGSTER DESIGN CHALLENGE

OVERVIEW
Participants design, produce working drawings for and build a CO2 powered dragster.
PROCEDURE
Entries are reviewed by evaluators to determine, among other things, safety on the track.

ELIGIBILITY
Entries are unlimited only one dragster per student

CHALLENGE
Design and produce a fast CO2-powered dragster according to
stated specifications and using only certain specified materials.

Drawing and design points are combined with race points to determine the final standings.

Following the race, participants pick up their entries from the display area at the time and place stated.
REGULATIONS
A. Each entry must be submitted with a full-size metric drawing of the completed vehicle. A two-view (top and side) working drawing with metric dimensions is made on 11"x 17" (tabloid) paper. Drawings are developed using standard engineering practices and procedures. The drawing may be produced using traditional drafting methods or CAD. The title block includes only the participant’s entry number, which is assigned at registration time and is placed on the entry and drawing during check-in.
B. Dragsters that do not meet the following specifications and tolerances are disqualified from the race.
Dragster body
DB1. One (1)-piece, all-wood construction. Any type of lamination will result in disqualification. Two (2) or more like or unlike pieces of wood glued together are not considered one (1)-piece, all-wood construction. No add-ons such as body strengtheners, fenders, plastic canopy, exhausts, or air foils may be attached to or enclosed within the vehicle. Fiberglass or shrink wrap are considered body strengtheners and cannot be used on the car body for any reason. Decals may be used for decoration only. They may not be used to gain an aerodynamic advantage, i.e., decals can not cover the exterior axle holes or be used to cover open areas of the body.

MINIMUM MAXIMUM
DB2. Body length...............................................................200mm..................................305mm
DB3. Body height with wheels...........................................................................................75mm
DB4. Body mass (completed car without CO2)...................................................60g
DB5. Body width at axles, front and back............................35mm....................................42mm
DB6. Vehicle total width (including wheels).......................................................................90mm
Axles/axle holes/wheelbase
A1. Dragsters must have two (2) axles per car, no more.
A2. Wood surrounding the axle bearing..............................5mm....................................10mm
(or axle hole if no bearing is used)
A3. Rear axle hole from rear of car.....................................9mm..................................100mm
A4. Wheelbase (axle distance apart at farthest points)...105mm..................................270mm
A5. Bearings, bushings and lubricants may be used.
Spacer washers/clips
S1. Spacer washers..............................................................................................................10
S2. Axle clips...........................................................................................................................4
S3. Silicone or any other type of glue/adhesive may not be used in place of wheel clips to hold wheels or axles in place.
Power plant (CO2 cartridge hole)
P1. The power plant hole must be at the farthest point at the rear of the car and must be drilled parallel to the racing surface to assure proper puncture of the CO2 cartridge. A minimum of 3mm thickness around the entire power plant hole must be maintained on the dragster for safety. Do not paint inside the CO2 cartridge hole.
P2. Hole depth..................................................................50mm....................................52mm
P3. Safety zone thickness...................................................3mm
P4. Chamber diameter......................................................19mm....................................20mm
P5. Lowest point of chamber diameter to race surface
(with wheels)...............................................................26mm....................................40mm
Eye screws
ES1. Dragsters must have two (2) screw eyes per car that meet tolerances, no more. Screw eyes must not make contact with the racing surface. The track string must pass through both screw eyelets, which are located on the center line of the bottom of the car. Glue may be used to reinforce the screw eyes. It is the responsibility of the car designer/engineer to see that the eye screw holes are tightly closed to prevent the track string from slipping out. As with all adjustments, this must be done prior to event check-in.
ES2. Inside diameter.............................................................3mm......................................5mm
ES3. Distance apart (at farthest points).............................150mm..................................270mm
Wheels
W1. A dragster must have exactly four (4) wheels, each of which separately must meet the regulations in W2 and W3 below. All four (4) wheels must touch the racing surface at the same time. All wheels must roll. Wheels must be made entirely from plastic. Dimensions must be consistent for the full circumference of the wheel.
W2. Wheel diameter...........................................................30mm....................................40mm
W3. Wheel width..................................................................2mm....................................18mm
D. No repair or maintenance is allowed after the entries have been registered. Any entry damaged during the race is evaluated by the event coordinator to determine whether or not the vehicle is allowed to race again. In the event that the vehicle is damaged by the conference personnel, the event coordinator rules as to whether the vehicle may be repaired by the student entering the vehicle. This is the only reason a student is allowed to touch his/her vehicle after registration. Undamaged wheels that come off during the event may be replaced as determined by the event coordinator. Damaged wheels may not be replaced.
E. All CO2 cartridges for the race are provided by national TSA.
EVALUATION
Evaluation is based on points earned through car design and appearance, accuracy and quality of the drawing, in addition to points earned through the wind tunnel test and placement in the double elimination on-site race.

Plot Analysis

In Lab, 8th grade is working on plot analysis. We have covered the 5 elements of plot. Students will begin practicing writing responses that embed the 5 elements of plot.