Going Green

On May the 31st Dad and I went to the Tasmanian round of the v8 super cars at Symmons Plains. This was my second trip to see them. It was cold when we got there. We found some space along the main straight to watch the action. Firstly the utes were racing, and then came the special invitation cars. It was then time for the first race for the v8 cars. The one thing that surprised me was how fast they go and how quickly they can slow down.
The other main difference between the two visits was that the cars did not smell the same or put as much fire out of their exhausts this time.
Dad had a special pass for us to go and have a look around the pits where the cars are prepared for racing. I was lucky enough to have my photo taken with Steven Richards who is one of the top Ford racing drivers.
Behind the pits we found the long trucks that carry all of the team’s cars and equipment. On the side of one truck there were a lot of details about something called Ethanol E85. I found out that Ethanol E85 is a special blend of fuel which is cleaner burning and better for the environment and is being used in all v8 super car races this season. The Ethanol is made from the leftovers from sugar production so that even the waste is useful. The cars still use some petrol but only 15% the other 85% is the new Ethanol fuel. It is hoped that by using Ethanol as a fuel in racing that people will realise that they can use it in their own cars and reduce the nasty gasses that their cars produce.


Oliver Dean

Rocket Science

We had an idea from the Extrementals show to make a rocket.

You Need:

• 1 Cup of Bicarbonate soda
• 1 cup of Vinegar
• Camera role cut in half
• Paper towel
• Empty soda bottle
• Cork

What to do:

• Wash soda bottle out.
• Then shake it dry.
• Sticky tape camera roles on sides
• Add one cup vinegar
• Roll bicarb soda in paper towel and lower it carefully in to bottle.
• Put cork in and turn upside down and thread on to wicket quickly.

What we Saw:

The bottle sort of exploded – the cork came off and the bottle flew up in the air like a rocket. It was very exciting.

Conclusion:

There was a chemical reaction between the vinegar and bicarb soda. There was so much pressure in the bottle that the cork blew off and the bottle flew up in the air.

Written by Oliver