Rail cars seem to be the most common, especially at the lower grade levels where cars are most often made by hand. These cars can use stock axles and wheels easily, and can be made witth most typical wood working tools.
General Characteristics:
- A narrow "rail" that connects the front axle to the back of the car.
- Typically use external wheels (wheels on the outside of the body).
- The body of the car is usually lower to the ground in the front and middle and then rises up abruptly to hold the CO2 cartridge.
Pros:
- Easiest to build and design.
- Thin rails reduce weight of the car, increasing speed.
- Can be built with normal wood working tools by most normal students.
Cons:
- The thinner the rail, the greater chance of structural failure (breaking).
- Exterior wheels are bad for aerodynamics.
- Body shape tends to encourage drag and hamper good aerodynamics.
The Car:
The Blue Streak by Mr. John Vice, McNabb Middle School, Mount Sterling, KY.
TOP
Shell Cars
Shell cars are a very special breed. These cars are built for one thing only: speed. Most national and state champions use shell car designs. Most often they are made with a CNC and CAD programs, but can be made with hand tools.
General Characteristics:
- Internal wheels.
- Clean aerodynamic "bullet' shape.
- Hollow underside forming a thin "shell" body.
Pros:
- Very low drag aerodynamic shape.
- Usually capable of high speeds by design.
- A great extension activity for gifted middle school students or pre-engineering students.
- A perfect place for math and science activities on aerodynamics through wind tunnel use.
- The highest use of technology when designed on CAD and created with a CNC.
Cons:
- Requires special wheels, axles and attachment clips - all non-stock parts that will add cost.
- More difficult to build, especially by hand; may be beyond the skill level of younger students.
- Shell cars tend to all look similar reducing individual creative expression.
- Often requires special tools such as a CNC lathe and CAD program.
The Car:
The Black Widow by Mr. John Vice, McNabb Middle School, Mount Sterling, KY.
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Show Cars
The first thing that comes to mind when one sees a good show car is "Wow!" These cars are often spectacular to look at, and very often never experience a race. Built for showing, not racing, show cars are works of art that display the creativity of their builders.
General Characteristics:
- Stunning design.
- High degree of creativity in the design.
- Usually very intricate and delicate in their construction.
- Very showy paint jobs with glass like finishes.
Pros:
- Just plain cool to look at.
- An excellent way to develop visualization, design, and manufacturing skills.
Cons:
- Normally not made for racing.
- Showy designs often flaunt structural weaknesses making them fragile.
- Often uses special chrome parts, such as rims, that are an added expense.
- Usually requires special tools such as a rotary sanding tool to create intricate details.
- May be beyond the skill level of many students.
The Car:
The Red Rocket by Meaghan M., Webb City Junior High, Webb City, Missouri.
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Transportation Modeling Cars
These cars look like, well, cars. Modeled after some type of real automobile or truck, TM cars are similar to show cars in that they often do not race and are built more for looks than speed. In national competitions, TSA will vary the theme for the subject from year to year, ranging from cars to ambulances to even school busses!
General Characteristics:
- TM cars are recognizable as actual vehicles that one would see in real life.
Pros:
- A cool challenge to the design and build skills of their creators.
