START YOUR ENGINES DRAGSTERS By Martha London Kaleidoscope Minneapolis MN
CHAPTER 1 Built for Speed Tia is strapped into the driver’s seat with a harness She wears a helmet Her racing suit zips up to her neck She knows the Funny Car’s engine is roaring But she can’t hear it She’s focused on the track ahead Her Funny Car is as powerful as a Top Fuel dragster But the car’s body is shorter It looks like a bigger version of a regular car Its rear tires are much bigger than regular car tires
Funny cars are similar to regular cars but they are low to the ground and have huge rear tires The chassis is covered by an outer shell Metal bars surround Tia They form a roll cage The bars will protect her if the car loses control and flips Another Funny Car sits next to Tia That’s her competition Drag races are usually between just two cars Racers want to see which car can accelerate fastest Tia takes a deep breath The race begins Tia takes off
