Wooden Dragster

I have always been very interested with aerodynamics and drag forces in aerospace and automotive applications. I took a transportation technology class in 8th grade, where we aimed to build our own dragsters and race them. We were given a single block of wood and were able to utilize lab equipment such as a band saw, power tools, sandpapers, etc. Throughout 2 months, I designed, iterated, and validated my own dragster with the intension of making it as aerodynamic as possible. I drilled a one inch long hole in the back to allow for optimal airflow to propel the car forwards, and designed my dragster to be as light and low to the ground as possible.

I used drag force simple physics calculations to ensure that my design would have the smallest drag and highest velocity possible when air was thrusted into the back. Working on this project allowed me to improve my design skills, use power tools, and learn how to iterate my designs for optimal improvement.