Individual · Race car, drawing, and materials list
Dragster
You will design and build a small CO₂-powered race car.
What you make or do
- Build a race-ready dragster that meets the current size, mass, material, and safety specifications.
- Create one full-size metric drawing with top and side views and a printed one-page materials list attached to or printed on the back.
This year’s challenge
There is no separate 2027 theme. Use the guide's 2027 rows: the body length is 230–240 mm and the completed car without CO₂ is 55–65 g.
How the competition works
Before the event
Design, build, finish, and check your car against every specification. Bring the car, technical drawing, and materials list to check-in.
First round
Race-worthy cars make a qualifying run. Judges inspect the fastest qualifying cars against the rules and evaluate the construction, drawing, and materials list.
If you advance
Qualifying builders complete a five-minute interview, and their cars compete in a double-elimination race bracket.
Know before you choose: The shared guide contains both 2026 and 2027 specifications. Read the current axle-hole update too; repair or maintenance after check-in is generally prohibited.
How your work is scored
The final score combines construction, drawing and materials-list quality, the builder interview, and race placement.
Read the full 2027 theme or preparation information
Check official rule updates
Dragster
MS Dragster
2/24/26
Page 152
Axles/axle holes/wheelbase
2. Bottom of axle hole or bearing above bottom of car body. 5mm 10mm
(NOTE: This will only be measured at the lowest point of the side surfaces of the car body at the axle hole.)
Official files to keep
- Download the full event guide (PDF)
- Download the official rubric or score sheet (PDF)
- Download the general rules (PDF)
- Download the complete guide with the forms appendix (PDF)
Read the guide, current challenge, and updates together. This overview helps you choose; the official documents give the full requirements.
Guide evidence: 149–159. Annual sources checked September 10, 2026. These are national competition rules; your teacher will confirm any regional or state changes.
Interested in this event?
Use the notes sheet to check what this choice would involve.
Start my competition notes