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Description
Racing may seem frivolous in a world where fuel is scarce, but on the plains of Desiccation it is taken very seriously. This former Federation territory has fallen under Coalition control and its new masters have commandeered its more advanced technology. Races are not only tolerated but encouraged to distract the people and give the bravest and most resourceful a less destructive outlet for their passions than rebellion.

The races are held on the dry lake beds that give the territory its name. Categories are vague at best, given the chimerical constructs spawned in Desiccation scrapyards. The pulsejet-powered Hellhounds are among the most remarkable; their engines have no moving parts and can run on almost any fuel. Races between them are thrilling and dangerous for drivers and spectators alike, and the high emotions they inspire are less those of a defeated group than one content to bide its time.

Design Features:

- The Hellhound’s valveless pulsejet consists of a combustion chamber, inlet tube and exhaust tube/resonator. When fuel is introduced and lit a self-sustaining cycle of fast controlled explosions begins. As it contains no moving parts the engine is very easy to build, needs very little maintenance, and weighs less than powerplants containing turbines and compressors. Drawbacks include high fuel consumption and a short endurance; given the heat, noise and vibration caused by larger pulsejet engines this could be seen as a mercy.

- Pulsejets can use many fuels; besides the flammable liquids and gases used in other engines they could also theoretically run on coal dust or gunpowder. Normal jet fuel is ideal but subject to extreme restrictions; hydrogen is more easily sourced but harder to handle safely. For routine training most teams use more common but less volatile fuels like butane, propane, kerosene, biofuels or alcohol.

- Hellhounds accelerate slowly but can reach impressive speeds, and the hard, flat lake beds used for racing function much like sealed roads. Their jet engines are slightly tilted to increase ground pressure so no airfoils are necessary. While many older racing cars were open-topped for faster exits, Hellhounds have closed cockpits to shield drivers from debris and provide some insulation from their engines’ heat and noise. The best are sourced from the obsolete aircraft that litter Federation scrapyards; as an added benefit some still have ejector seats.

- Races tend to be short but eventful, as pulsejets burn a lot of fuel and place considerable strain on Hellhounds and their operators. Riding an opponent’s slipstream, or overtaking generally, tends to be more dangerous owing to the jet exhaust, and some drivers use unorthodox tactics or unclear rules to gain the edge. Hellhounds that complete a race often show signs of fatigue, though overhauls are easy due to their simple construction.

Description
Racing may seem frivolous in a world where fuel is scarce, but on the plains of Desiccation it is taken very seriously. This former Federation territory has fallen under Coalition control and its new masters have commandeered its more advanced technology. Races are not only tolerated but encouraged to distract the people and give the bravest and most resourceful a less destructive outlet for their passions than rebellion.

The races are held on the dry lake beds that give the territory its name. Categories are vague at best, given the chimerical constructs spawned in Desiccation scrapyards. The pulsejet-powered Hellhounds are among the most remarkable; their engines have no moving parts and can run on almost any fuel. Races between them are thrilling and dangerous for drivers and spectators alike, and the high emotions they inspire are less those of a defeated group than one content to bide its time.

Design Features:

- The Hellhound’s valveless pulsejet consists of a combustion chamber, inlet tube and exhaust tube/resonator. When fuel is introduced and lit a self-sustaining cycle of fast controlled explosions begins. As it contains no moving parts the engine is very easy to build, needs very little maintenance, and weighs less than powerplants containing turbines and compressors. Drawbacks include high fuel consumption and a short endurance; given the heat, noise and vibration caused by larger pulsejet engines this could be seen as a mercy.

- Pulsejets can use many fuels; besides the flammable liquids and gases used in other engines they could also theoretically run on coal dust or gunpowder. Normal jet fuel is ideal but subject to extreme restrictions; hydrogen is more easily sourced but harder to handle safely. For routine training most teams use more common but less volatile fuels like butane, propane, kerosene, biofuels or alcohol.

- Hellhounds accelerate slowly but can reach impressive speeds, and the hard, flat lake beds used for racing function much like sealed roads. Their jet engines are slightly tilted to increase ground pressure so no airfoils are necessary. While many older racing cars were open-topped for faster exits, Hellhounds have closed cockpits to shield drivers from debris and provide some insulation from their engines’ heat and noise. The best are sourced from the obsolete aircraft that litter Federation scrapyards; as an added benefit some still have ejector seats.

- Races tend to be short but eventful, as pulsejets burn a lot of fuel and place considerable strain on Hellhounds and their operators. Riding an opponent’s slipstream, or overtaking generally, tends to be more dangerous owing to the jet exhaust, and some drivers use unorthodox tactics or unclear rules to gain the edge. Hellhounds that complete a race often show signs of fatigue, though overhauls are easy due to their simple construction.