SPEED / Velocity / Acceleration
Researching Land Speed Records
Name ________________
per___
Wheel Driven Land Speed Record
mailbox______
due date_______
“Making Science Relevant”
The wheel-driven land speed record differs from the absolute land speed record in requiring that the vehicle be
wheel-driven; thus, jet engine and rocket propelled vehicles are ineligible.
The chart you will look at below contains only wheel-driven cars. They have combustion engines with pistons
and a drive shaft that makes the wheels go around. The absolute land speed record includes “cars” that are jet
or rocket propelled and really more like jet airplanes just without wings.
Until 1963, the absolute land speed record holder was always a wheel-driven car. The first jet-car to exceed the
absolute record was Craig Breedlove's Spirit of America. Since then, no wheel-driven car has held the absolute
record.
There is no "wheel-driven" category as such. The Federation of International Automobiles (FIA) validates
records in a variety of classes, of which the "wheel-driven" classes are in Category A (Special cars) and
Category B (Production cars). The accepted record is fastest average speed recorded over one mile or one
kilometer with a flying start, averaged over two runs in opposite directions within one hour of each other. The
most recent Wheel-driven" record holders have been from a variety of different classes within Category A.
Have a look at some of the Category A specialty wheel-driven cars that have held records.
-----------------------------------------------------------------QUESTIONS:
(1) Which are faster, wheel-driven cars or the recent absolute land speed record cars? ___________________
(2) Why are they faster? Explain, and mention the type of engine advantage that they have.
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(3) In your opinion is it fair to have Category A compete against Category B? State a claim and then defend
your position scientifically.
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Directions: Look up and define the following vocabulary. Utilize texts from class, reading, notes or other.
1. Friction – p112 or p70 Nat Geo
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How does it relate to a speeding car?_______________________________________________________
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2. Air resistance – p73-74 Nat Geo
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How does it relate to a speeding car?_______________________________________________________
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3. Momentum – p86 Nat Geo
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How does it relate to a speeding car?_______________________________________________________
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4. Inertia – p54-56 Nat Geo
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How does it relate to a speeding car?_______________________________________________________
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SPEED / Velocity / Acceleration
Researching Land Speed Records
Part B
Directions: Answer the following based on the LAND SPEED RECORD CHART
- SEE EXHIBIT 1
(1) How fast did John Cobb’s car go in 1947? ____________
(2) What kind of power did Donald Campbell’s car use that defeated Cobb’s record? _______________
(3) The following year Bob Summers, an American, defeated Campbell’s car. How much faster did his car
go? For how many years did he hold the record? __________________________________________
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(4) In 1991, Elwin Teague “Al” and his Spirit of 76 race car defeated Bob Summer and his Goldenrod race
car by a mere fraction of a single mile per hour.
Just how little was he defeated by in mph? __________________________
How much faster was his car in km/hr? __________________________
(5) Which units (m/hr or k/hr) of speed make Elwin Teague 1991 record seem slightly more impressive?
Which units make it look like he won by a larger margin? Write down both numbers, the units, and explain
why.
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PART B
SPEED / Velocity / Acceleration
Researching Land Speed Records
Directions: Answer the following based on the Comparative Car Timeline- SEE EXHIBIT 4
(1) Between 1898 and 1922, significant design and engineering improvements increased the speed at
which a race car could travel. Looking at the time line, how much faster did Haugdahi’s Wisconsin
Special travel at compared to Chasselup-Laubat’s Jeataud? ___________________________
(2) What is a key factor that you think could have made these higher speeds attainable?
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(3) What happened between 1922 and 1927 to engine sizes of cars? __________________________
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(4) Discuss some of the aerodynamic changes you can see evolve between the very first and later
generation cars. How do they make a car more aerodynamic?
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(5) What are some of the general trends you notice in the evolution of land speed record setting cars from
the very beginning to modern day?
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Use at least one of the following terms in your response: air resistance, aerodynamic, streamline
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PART B
SPEED / Velocity / Acceleration
Researching Land Speed Records
Directions: Answer the following based on the Danny Thompson Challenger 2.5
- SEE EXHIBIT 2 & 3
(1) Describe what you think the Challenger looks like? Does it look like a race car or something else; plane,
train, rocket, etc? Be descriptive with a minimum of 2 complete sentences.
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(2) Does the Challenger brake like a normal car? Explain. Describe why you think it needs such a braking
system. Be descriptive with a minimum of 2 complete sentences AND use a vocabulary word from above.
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(3) Calculate momentum of the Challenger and the Thunderbolt (see exhibit 3)
Momentum = mass x velocity
a. Show your work
b. label each racer equation
c. label units
Which one has a higher momentum and why? Explain your answer. Be descriptive with a minimum of 2
complete sentences.
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(4) Write an interesting fact regarding the Challenger. Ex: describe THE CHASSIS, write about the Engine etc.
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Railton
Thunderbolt
Researching Land Speed Records
Read the background, review the documents, diagrams and images of the 2 iconic Land Speed Record
setting cars of old. The title of fastest man alive was achieved by both men that drove and raced these
speedsters against one another on multiple occasions. Debate with your peers which, you think was faster
on any given day and explain why?
DIRECTIONS: Complete the following T- Chart. You must list 4 criteria to contrast and compare between
the two vehicles. Consider the following: wheels, engine, aerodynamics, horsepower, weight, chassis or any
other relevant factor you want to compare between the two. Use complete sentences.
(See exhibit 3)
Railton
Thunderbolt
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