The activity of racing CO₂ dragsters is often described as Pinewood Derby on steroids! Small wooden cars race in pairs down a special track — except the track is level, cars are powered by escaping carbon dioxide (not gravity), and there’s more speed!

• Students convert a wedge-shaped piece of wood (about 12" in length) into a sleek racecar body using hand or power tools. Paint, wheels, and axles are added to make the cars roadworthy.
• A pair of cars are placed on a 65-1/2' racetrack (track can be on the floor or a special elevated surface), and CO₂ cartridges are inserted into holes in the rear of each car.
  
• Cars are fitted to launching devices that puncture the cartridges to start the race.
• The cars speed down the track and cross the finish line in about one second!
• Race times are recorded to determine race pairings for a final round.