F1 in schools - car design advice needed

[paulwils7]

Hi all, I could really do with your help, I am a high school teacher currently working with a group of kids who are designing minature f1 cars which are powered by a CO2 soda bulb. These cars are fired down a 20m track at speeds of approx 65kph.

My students are working on an entry for the International finals which will be held in January. To give you an idea check out http://www.f1inschools.co.uk for an idea of what it is all about. These car are designed using CADCAM technologies and have a minimum weight of 55grams. The body of the car is machined from a block of balsa.

I would love to hear any ideas that can be used help my students design a winning entry. Hopefully all of these students will be choosing a career in engineering!

Is there anyone out there who would be able to be a sounding board for me.

Cheers
Paul Wilson

[manchild]

You are not the first

Here is a link to such topic on this site:

viewtopic.php?t=1329

[Guest]

I did this in school but I'm not sure if it is exactly the same. The one I did we had a small C02 canister which powered it. If this is the case make the car a light as you can. We had a minmum 5mm of material required around the c02 canister. The fastest car had this as the maximun thickness with the exeption of the wheel axle supports.