ORIGINS - Authority JayK at Maker Media credits the start to Jim Mason and friends in the San Francisco Ship Yard back in 2005.  An informal Google/YouTube search turns up many examples of Power Tool Drag Racing (PTDR) as an off-shoot of the general maker movement over the past ten years or so. Similar to real drag racing in the real world, but made for the maker world, PTDR is a natural attraction at Maker events. PTDR provides a measure of excitement, suspense, and danger; but on a smaller, more intimate scale, and at a lower barrier cost of entry. There is a certain universal appeal to seeing two creatively modified electric-corded power tools compete in a brief, wild, semi-controlled flight down a two-lane plywood track, ending with a dramatic crash at the end. Kids of all ages get fired up (even kids that have their own kids) to hoot, holler, and point in disbelief as they watch the unfolding mayhem. The vehicle builder/operators and track volunteers have even more fun.

MAKE YOUR OWN RACER - Making your racer is a fun weekend project. This (link) is a good introductory primer from Bre Pettis and MAKE.   Build and register your own racer for our next tournament and join the excitement, getting a T-shirt and competing for fame, fortune, trophies, and valuable prizes.