Pittsburg State University

Technology and Engineering Education

GT 300 Design and Problemsolving

Dragster Specifications
Student Name: _______________________________

CO2 Dragster Design Challenge

The following rules and regulations for the design and construction of the CO2 Dragster Design Challenge have been
developed by the Technology Student Association.

Rules and Regulations

1. 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 a 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.

2. The official distance between the start line and the finish line on the race track is twenty (20) meters.

3. Dragsters must meet the following specifications and tolerances to qualify:

Dragster Body
DB1 One-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-piece, all-wood
construction. No additions 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 cannot cover the exterior
axle holes or be used to cover open areas of the body.

Minimum Maximum

DB2 Body Length 200 mm 305 mm

DB3 Body height with wheels 75 mm
DB4 Body mass (completed dragster without CO2) 40 grams
DB5 Body width at axles, front and back 35 mm 42 mm
DB6 Vehicle total width (including wheels) 90 mm

Axles/Axle Holes/Wheelbase
AX1 Dragsters must have two (2) axles per car, no more.
AX2 Bottom of axle hole above bottom of dragster 5 mm 10 mm
AX3 Rear axle hole from rear of dragster 9 mm 100 mm
AX4 Wheelbase (axle distance apart at farthest points) 105 mm 270 mm
AX5 Bearings, bushings and lubricants may be used.
 Pittsburg State University
Technology and Engineering Education

GT 300 Design and Problemsolving

Dragster Specifications

Rules and Regulations

Minimum Maximum
Spacer Washers/Clips
SP1 Spacer Washers 10
SP2 Axle Clips 4
SP3 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)

PP1 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.
PP2 Hole Depth 50 mm 52 mm
PP3 Safety Zone Thickness 3 mm
PP4 Chamber Diameter 19 mm 20 mm
PP5 Lowest point of chamber diameter to race surface 26 mm 40 mm
(with wheels)

Eye Screws
ES1 Dragsters must have two screw eyes per dragster 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 dragster. Glue may be used to
reinforce the screw eyes. It is the responsibility of the dragster designer/engineer to see that the
eye screw holes are tightly closed to prevent the track string from slipping out. This should be
done prior to race day.
ES2 Inside Diameter 3 mm 40 mm
ES3 Wheel Width 2 mm 18 mm

Wheels
WH1 A dragster must have exactly four (4) wheels, each of which separately must meet the regulations
of WH2 and WH3 below. All four 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.
WH2 Wheel Diameter 30 mm 40 mm
WH3 Wheel Width 2 mm 18 mm

4. No repair or maintenance is allowed after entries have been made on race day. Any vehicle damaged
during the race is evaluated by the instructor to determine whether or not the vehicle is allowed to race
again. Undamaged wheels that come off during the event may be replaced as determined by the
instructor. Damaged wheels may not be replaced.
5. Only CO2 cartridges provided by the instructor are allowed on race day.

Evaluation

Evaluation will be determined by the criteria described on the

Dragster Assessment Rubric.
 Pittsburg State University
Technology and Engineering Education

GT 300 Design and Problemsolving

Dragster Specifications

Student Name: _______________________________

CO2 Dragster Testing Worksheet

Name of Vehicle: ______________________________

Vehicle Weight: __________________Meets Specs _____

Vehicle Width: __________________Meets Specs _____

Vehicle Heighth: __________________Meets Specs _____

Wheel Tolerances: __________________Meets Specs _____

Roll Test (Distance) __________________Meets Specs _____

Roll Test (Accuracy) __________________Meets Specs _____

Wind Tunnel Test __________________Meets Specs _____

Finish Quality 5 4 3 2 1

Sanding Quality 5 4 3 2 1

Overall Quality 5 4 3 2 1
PLACE
Meets Specifications 5 4 3 2 1
DRAGSTER
HERE

Ready to Race!: ____________________