|
| A | |
|
The properties and forces produced as an object moves through the air, or a steam of air moves around an object.
|
|
| A | |
|
Describing an object's visual appeal or attractiveness.
|
|
| B | |
|
A bench-mounted or freestanding power tool used to make precise, curved cuts and is ideal for rough shaping CO2 car bodies.
|
A method of organizing competitions and determining race pairings. Bracket design varies with the number of competitors and the number of losses required to eliminate a competitor from the competition. Select "Race Brackets" on the Competition menu to see sample brackets.
|
|
| C | Back to top  |
|
An assembly of lights oriented in two vertical columns. Used near the starting line of drag racing and CO2 racing to signal the start of the race.
|
A computer-interfaced machine used for shaping processes. Sequences of cutting tool movements are controlled by a variable computer program. CNC stands for computer numerical control.
|
A small, sealed, metal tube that contains compressed carbon dioxide. CO2 cartridges are used to propel racecars down the track.
|
Restricted to a limited space. In the same way a prisoner is confined in a jail cell, carbon dioxide is confined in a sealed cartridge.
|
A small hand-held saw with a narrow blade, useful for making curved cuts in wood. Good for rough shaping racecar bodies if a band saw is unavailable.
|
|
| D | Back to top |
|
The act of slowing a moving object. In CO2 racing, a car must be safely decelerated after it crosses the finish line.
|
Force that resists an object's movement through the air. The more the object disrupts the laminar flow of air around it, the more drag is developed.
|
A racecar that races a short distance on a straight track. CO2 racecars are often referred to as dragsters.
|
A bench-mounted or freestanding power tool used for drilling precise holes. Particularly useful for drilling properly aligned axle holes in the car body.
|
|
| E | Back to top |
|
Turbulent flow of air that moves in a random tumbling, or circular, pattern.
|
A freestanding racetrack surface that is roughly the same height as a table top. Spectator viewing is greatly enhanced with an elevated track. Pitsco's Fastrak is a fine example.
|
|
| F | Back to top |
|
Race system component that is located on the finish line of the racetrack. As the two cars speed through the gate, individual sensors detect their presence, stopping the system's electronic timers.
|
Part of launch pod assembly with sharp pointed end that punctures a hole in cars' CO2 cartridges to start a race. Made of hardened steel.
|
A feature of some wind tunnels that involves the introduction of a visible vapor into the moving airstream. This enables racers to see how their car performs in an airstream. Drag-inducing body features can be easily identified.
|
Force that resists relative motion between two objects in contact.
|
|
| G | Back to top |
|
A custom measuring tool that can be held up to a part of a dragster to determine whether the part meets the specified measurement requirements.
|
In powder form, a dry substance that works well for lubricating racecar wheels and axles. Available from Pitsco in small bottles.
|
|
| H | Back to top |
|
A method of racing where two competitors manually launch their cars. The competitors' reaction times are an important factor in the race. The Impulse Race System features an optional head-to-head (H2H) mode.
|
A device for cutting polystyrene that employs a thin, electrically heated wire that melts the foam.
|
A CO2 racecar design in which two wheels are housed inside the body and two are mounted externally.
|
|
| I | Back to top |
|
Property or tendency of an object at rest to remain at rest unless acted upon by a force.
|
|
| L | Back to top |
|
A straight, layered flow of air that is free of turbulent motion.
|
Devices that start a race by puncturing the cars' onboard CO2 cartridges. Each car, with its nose on the starting line, is fitted to a launch pod prior to racing. An electronic signal from the race system triggers the two launch pods at the same instant.
|
Aerodynamic force that pushes upward on a body as it moves through an airstream. Airplane wings generate lift; racecar bodies may also generate lift, positive or negative (downward force) as they move down the track.
|
|
| M | Back to top |
|
A single strand line used to prevent speeding C02 cars from soaring off the track. The line is threaded through two screw eyes mounted to the underside of a car body, and then it is stretched tight and anchored on extreme ends of the track.
|
|
| P | Back to top |
|
A solid, expanded plastic foam material that is soft and lightweight. Commonly referred to by the trademarked name Styrofoam™.
|
The CO2 cartridge onboard a racecar. The power plant housing is the body material that surrounds the cartridge.
|
A measurement of force per unit of area. In a sealed CO2 cartridge, pressurized carbon dioxide gas exerts an equal force in all directions to the inner surfaces of the cartridge.
|
Phase in the design process when the final version of a product is manufactured. Production follows the design, prototyping, and testing phases.
|
A one-of-a-kind, pre-production version of a product. Used to test for design flaws so they can be corrected before the product is mass produced.
|
|
| R | Back to top |
|
A CO2 racecar design in which wheels are mounted on the outside of the car body.
|
A high-speed hobby power tool that works well for intricate shaping, cutting, drilling, sanding, and polishing. A variety of bits gives rotary tools excellent versatility. Often referred to as a Dremel™, which is a popular brand name.
|
|
| S | Back to top |
|
Small screws with an enclosed ring on one end. Two screw eyes are mounted on the bottom of CO2 racecars to accommodate the racetrack's monofilament guideline.
|
A CO2 racecar design in which all four wheels are housed inside the body of the car.
|
Set of very specific requirements for a project or competition, often including a set of measurements.
|
The area of the racetrack before the starting line, on the extreme end. Pairs of cars are placed in this area (after they are threaded onto the monofilament guideline) to await their turn to race. The staging of cars saves time during a racing competition.
|
Refers to the relative positioning of a pair of cars just before they race. Nose, or nose-to-nose, alignment is achieved when the extreme forward points of both cars are aligned with the starting line. Pitsco's XP1 Launch Pods allow nose alignment of cars even when they are different lengths. Older, one-piece launchers require rear alignment of cars.
|
Not moving, sitting still.
|
To have balance, or to have the same shape or size on opposite sides.
|
|
| T | Back to top |
|
Force that propels an object, sets it into motion, or keeps it moving.
|
A small, quick sketch used to rapidly communicate ideas.
|
An acceptable variance from a specified measurement. Used to determine the minimum and maximum measurements.
|
Friction between a car's tires and the road surface. Traction allows the wheels/tires to propel a car forward without the wheels spinning in place. In CO2 racing, the wheels do not propel the vehicle, so increasing traction is not necessary.
|
Property of an airstream moving in a swirling or tumbling fashion; see also Eddies
|
|
| V | Back to top |
|
The amount of physical space occupied by an object or substance.
|
|
| W | Back to top |
|
A racecar with external wheels that has a triangular wedge body shape.
|
