gravity racers

Unpowered downhill carts

Gravity racers are unpowered vehicles that coast downhill, propelled only by gravity.

The term covers soapbox derby cars, go-karts without engines, and similar homemade contraptions: The kids built gravity racers out of plywood and old bicycle wheels.

Competitions typically involve racing down a sloped course, with steering but no pedals or motor.

soapboxPlatform for haranguing
soapbox derbyYouth coasting competition
wheelsCircular rotation devices
speedRate of motion
fastSpeedy, or skip eating

derby · potential energy · pinewood · pinewood derby · center of mass · roll · downhill · momentum · axle · coasting · velocity · aerodynamic drag · weight distribution · competitors · rolling resistance · kinetic energy · curve · cars

Opposites

propulsion source

gravity racersgo-karts

Small motorized racing vehicles

dragsters · motorcycles · stock cars · electric vehicles · rocket cars

direction of travel

gravity racersmountain climbers

Those ascending high peaks

funiculars · cable cars · ski lifts · escalators

energy input

gravity racersbicycles

Human-powered wheeled vehicles

rowing shells · pedal cars · kayaks

Family

gravity, racer, race, races, raced, racing, racers, grave, gravitate

Familiarity: Top 500,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Positive · Everyday, not technical · Rated G