[Aren_Hill]

sorry for the short explanation, i had to run to class.

okay, here's how it works

using rc car parts the front two wheels are setup with an ackerman system which is spring loaded to point them forward.

the back axle (which the string winds around from the mousetrap) is mechanically linked via small delrin chain to a piece of UMHW 1/4-20 threaded rod. This threaded rod has a small aluminum "trigger" on it that can't rotate wit the rod hence when the back axle rotates its motion is transferred to linear motion of the "trigger" by the threaded rod.

as the "trigger" moves across the rod it hits a steering linkage at some point hence turning the wheels, and it pops past the linkage so the wheels return to straight.

and just for overkill i'm planning on having it stop right after it crosses the finish line just to show that i can lol

mission accomplished