Drag Racer (Scratch-Built) Quick Start Learning Guide
Get started on your race car project today with this Quick Start Learning Guide to help you choose books that will provide the best initial value, information and guidance.
Tips On Choosing Scrtach-built Drag Racer Books
Scratch-built drag machines are the top of amateur drag racing. Because of their purpose-built nature, it is helpful to begin with books that focus on drag racing and the vehicle dynamics associated with drag racing.
Next, we would suggest books that focus on the primary areas of the drag racer–chassis, suspension and powertrain. Depending on how your design or concept evolves, other categories should be considered.
| Book Category | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aerodynamics |  Race Car Aerodynamics: Designing for Speed  (5 / 5)An in-depth and comprehensive guide to race car aerodynamic theory and practice. It covers everything a designer needs to know--from basic theory and aero devices (i.e. wings, venturis, diffusers, spoilers and more) to their applications on different types of race cars. Written with the non-engineer in mind, it also provides many examples and diagrams that show how to optimize the air flow around and through a race vehicle. Get "Race Car Aerodynamics: Designing for Speed":    | |||
| Chassis |  Chassis Engineering: Chassis Design, Building & Tuning for High Performance Handling  (4.5 / 5)Chassis Engineering is a great introduction to race car design. In a practical and down-to-earth way, it covers the fundamentals of how race cars handle and the requirements for designing and constructing a car. The book includes chapters on chassis design, suspension design, frame construction, aerodynamics and tuning. Overall it provides the reader with the foundation of how the key components of a race car work and interact together. Get "Chassis Engineering: Chassis Design, Building & Tuning for High Performance Handling": | |||
| Chassis |  The Race Car Chassis : Design, Structures and Materials for Road, Drag and Circle Track Open- and Closed-Wheel Chassis  (4 / 5)Aspiring designers will find Forbes Aird's book on chassis design to be a good introduction to the fundamental purposes, structures and materials of race car (or road car) chassis. What the book might lack in formulas and design calculations, it makes up for in sheer breadth of chassis design and construction ideas. It provides sufficient information to the reader to leave them with a solid understanding of the various chassis types, materials and construction so they can make informed choices about designing their own chassis. Get "The Race Car Chassis : Design, Structures and Materials for Road, Drag and Circle Track Open- and Closed-Wheel Chassis": | |||
| Driving |  How to Drag Race (5 / 5)Covers the drag racing experience, equipment setup, driving techniques and classes. This book also includes information about safety equipment, tires, line-locks, delay boxes and racing math. Get "How to Drag Race": | |||
| Fasteners/Joining |  Carroll Smith's Nuts, Bolts, Fasteners and Plumbing Handbook (5 / 5)Teaches how to use the correct fasteners and fastener materials. This book includes extensive information on fatigue properties, joints, mounts, and vehicle plumbing. Get "Carroll Smith's Nuts, Bolts, Fasteners and Plumbing Handbook": | |||
| Materials/Fabrication |  Advanced Automotive Welding (5 / 5)Advanced Automotive welding teaches basic and advanced welding skills specifically geared toward race car construction. Joint types, metal types, and welding processes such as TIG, MIG, oxy-acetylene and stick welding are covered. Includes projects such as roll cage, seat supports, floor pan and others. Get "Advanced Automotive Welding": | |||
| Materials/Fabrication |  Composite Materials: Fabrication Handbook #1 (4.5 / 5)Book 1 of the Composite materials series. Explains the basics of composites, their applications, workspace setup, tools and practical techniques. Includes projects to help the builder learn techniques of mold making, laminating, demolding and finishing. Includes many high quality color photographs to guide the reader. Get "Composite Materials: Fabrication Handbook #1": | |||
| Materials/Fabrication |  Engineer To Win: The essential guide to racing car materials technology (5 / 5)A comprehensive, easy-to-read guide on metallurgy (metal properties), fastening and plumbing. The book applies this information to many aspects of race cars with the goal of building cars that do not break or leak. Get "Engineer To Win: The essential guide to racing car materials technology": | |||
| Materials/Fabrication |  Metal Fabricator's Handbook (4 / 5)Teaches welding techniques, metal forming, hammerforming and practical metal fabrication projects. Project include forming custom body panels, tanks, roll cages/safety cells and exhaust headers. Get "Metal Fabricator's Handbook": | |||
| Powertrain |  David Vizard's How to Build Horsepower (5 / 5)A guide to designing the engine as a system and constructing it to produce maximum horsepower. The design aspects use the airflow through each part of the engine as a basis for instruction. Provides detailed information on how to select, modify and tune each component to work at peak efficiency with others in the engine. Get "David Vizard's How to Build Horsepower": | |||
| Powertrain |  Engine Builder's Handbook (5 / 5)Explains how to troubleshoot and rebuild all types of engines. Provides tips, techniques and detailed information on engine inspection, teardown, the short block, cylinder heads, assembly and camshaft theory. Get "Engine Builder's Handbook": | |||
| Whole Car (Design and Build) |  How to Build a Winning Drag Race Chassis and Suspension (4.5 / 5)This book explains how to modify a street car chassis and suspension for drag strip or high performance street use. It includes theory on handling, chassis fabrication, front/rear suspension, shocks and springs, brakes, rear axle selection, steering, and wheels/tires. Safety information is also included. Get "How to Build a Winning Drag Race Chassis and Suspension": | |||
| Whole Car (Design and Build) |  How to Hook & Launch: Traction Mods for Street & Strip (4.5 / 5)Concepts of drag racing vehicle dynamics. The author explains the incremental process of a drag racing car's launch, traction and performance. The book takes a practical approach to maximizing traction through a wide variety of potential chassis/suspension modifications as well as engine/powertrain optimization and tuning. Get "How to Hook & Launch: Traction Mods for Street & Strip": |
More Information
For complete information on the design and construction of the Drag Racer (Scratch-Built) race car type and a full listing of books and learning resources, see our Drag Racer (Scratch-Built) race car type article.