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Speed Trials challenge

The British Grand Prix starts tomorrow. In the last practice lap, the world champion’s car spins off and is wrecked. Can you help, by building a brand new Grand Prix racing car for him?

Levels of difficulty:
Level 1 - Make a simple racing car
Level 2 - As level 1, with a spring motor
Level 3 - As level 2, that will travel at least 3 metres

Equipment: K’NEX set with small wheels, plus spring motor for level 2 .

Approach: What is the best shape for a racing car? Where will the wheels go? Where does the driver sit?

For level 2, how can you make the spring motor drive the wheels? How will the motor fasten on to the body?

For level 3, test your car. Will it travel 3 metres? If not, can you improve your car to make it travel further? What would happen if you tested it on a different surface?

Handy Hints (Please click to view):
L1 - 3 ways to connect rods and connectors
L3 - Making corners with blue and purple connectors
L5 - Wheels and tyres
L6 - Making rods turn with wheels or connectors
M1 - Spring motors		Speed Trials challenge
Teachers' Notes

Teachers' Notes

A project to make a working model of a racing car, and to use it for an experiment into the forces that affect the speed of a car.

Possible solution: See photo.

Before starting: Look at pictures of old cars and new cars, to see how much importance is now attached to reduced air resistance.

Conclusion: Test the level 2 cars. Hold a competition to see which car can travel the furthest across a hall floor. Discuss the best features of the winning design.

Copyright © Andy Shercliff 1996 and K'NEX User Group 2004

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