Students compete at Lotus test track
Eleven Year 9 CNS students braved the elements on Saturday 8th June to take part in the Greenpower inter school race at the Lotus test track in Hethel, racing in the car they built themselves and picking up awards in both races.
Thanks to their Creative Technologies teacher Ms Khan, a grant from Dudgeon Offshore Wind Farm and further funding from the CNSA, InnuScience and the OAT iwill campaign, the lucky students were given the opportunity to take part in the challenge organised by the Greenpower Education Trust, a charity set up to inspire young people to engage with STEM through the excitement of motorsport.
The students have been involved in the project since November last year, when they kicked it off with a visit to Coltishall Airfield to test drive an IET Formula 24 car. They have been working after school on designing and building their own electric race car ever since, with parents often lending a hand to help. Their hard work and dedication culminated in the inaugural race on Saturday in which eight other schools also took part.
''The students were so amazing, I am so, so proud of what they have achieved and how they came together as a team” said teacher of Creative Technologies, Ms Khan.
The day consisted of a practice race followed by two 90 minute races, with each school nominating three drivers per race and the rest of the team members providing support as engineers and pit crew. Despite the bad weather and challenging racing conditions, the team did exceptionally well, winning 1st as newcomers in race one, 3rd place in race two and 7th as newcomers in the overall tables.
Student Jakub said “'This has been amazing, now I know what racing is about this is what I want to do!”
Greenpower hold over 35 regional events and an international final every year, working with over 700 teams throughout the UK. More than 10,000 students from primary school age through to university take part annually.
Image courtesy of Nic Redhead / Spacesuit Media
Image courtesy of Nic Redhead / Spacesuit Media
Image courtesy of Nic Redhead / Spacesuit Media
Image courtesy of Nic Redhead / Spacesuit Media
Image courtesy of Nic Redhead / Spacesuit Media