Gerry Bailey Illustrations by Iralu ACTION Race The most exciting ways to race around our planet and the science that lets us
2 Yacht Air balloon Kayak Power boat Bobsleigh Snowmobile Dragster Dog sled Formula One Land speed record Rally car Bicycle Motocross Quadbike Speed skating Scull 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 Contents HORSEPOWER streamlining STEERING gears EQUILIBRIUM 4 wheel drive GRAVITY 3rd class LEVER SAIL SHAPE EXPANDING AIR BUOYANCY center of gravity friction TRACTION WING SHAPE Chemical potential and kinetic energy ACTION
36 38 40 42 44 46 48 Dragon boat DRAG US Stock car combustion engine Go cart CHAIN GEAR Plane propellers Glossary Index Credits Machines that go fast and allow us to race at speed or with special twisting and turning skill are behind some of the world’s most exciting sports These machines may operate on land in the sea or in the air They may carry just a single person or a whole sporting team but they all allow us to race All moving machines need to be powered by some form of energy This may be electrical energy or chemical energy from fossil fuels such as gasoline It may even by kinetic energy the kind given off when animals or people use their muscles to move Now let’s look at some of the cleverly-designed forms of transport that help us take part even win in daring competitions and the science that makes this possible 3
