The Pit Crew

Three forces decide whether your CO₂ dragster wins or loses. Tackle them one at a time with Mr Di Lizio in the garage.

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Mr Di Lizio · Head Mechanic Every fast CO₂ dragster solves the same three problems: friction stealing speed, mass slowing acceleration, and air pushing back. Work through each module below — they unlock the thinking you need before you start cutting wood.

⏱ ~12 min total 🎯 Years 7–10 🛞 NSW iSTEM / D&T

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Module 1

Friction

Find the four hidden brakes on a slow dragster — sticky axles, rubbing parts, crooked wheels and bumpy rolls. Fix each one in the garage.

Lighter accelerates faster — but go too light and it shatters. Find the sweet spot using F = m × a in the weigh-in bay.

Reshape a brick on wheels into something that slices the air. Nose, frontal area, surface and tail — all in the wind tunnel.

4 missions~4 min

Start the wind tunnel →

🏆 Series complete — you're race ready

You've worked through all three forces that decide a CO₂ dragster's speed: friction, mass and aerodynamics. Now apply it — design and build a car that's slippery, light, balanced and rolls free. Good luck on race day.