Students build a car from scratch and then race it!
A TEAM of young designers, creators and engineers from Derby Grammar School have topped the table in a race which saw them build their own car from scratch.
More than 20 pupils from the school have been involved throughout the year in the project to design, build and test the car which was entered into the Formula 24Plus Greenpower event.
Greenpower Education Trust is a UK charity which gets young people enthusiastic about science and engineering by challenging them to design, build and race an electric car.
And over two days, two teams from the school took the car to two races on the Greenpower circuit.
Both teams had huge success with the junior team of three year seven pupils achieving one of the longest distances a car stayed out on the track, for 31.1 miles at the Croft Circuit event in Darlington.
On the first day, the senior team of year 12 and 13 pupils Joseph Burke (driver), Leo Hanman, Robert Thompson and Emily Welch, were crowned overall winners in their age category at the Blyton Park circuit in Lincolnshire.
The school’s head of design and technology, Paul Lakritz, has been mentoring the pupils and taking them to the events.
“Both teams have had great success which is so deserved because all the pupils involved have put in such effort in their lunchtimes and spare time working on this project.
“It really has taught all involved a great detail, not just about design and engineering, but also about teamwork, time-keeping, following regulations, overcoming challenges and so much more. They should all be extremely proud of their achievements.”
The teams are now hoping the combined distances they achieved on their circuits may be enough to qualify them for the international event at Goodwood in October.