School students star in electric car challenge

School team taking on and beating corporate entries is held up as an example that the future of engineering is in safe hands.

The first IMechE Greenpower Corporate Challenge saw schools giving industry a lesson in the art of electric car racing.

The Pheonix from Seaford College, East Sussex, took the chequered flag on Sunday afternoon ahead of entries from CBBC's Blue Peter, Bentley Motors and Renishaw.

Spectators were treated to a full programme of exciting electric car racing at the Goodwood Motor Circuit.

The day kicked off with the Fordingbridge Season Opener which saw new and veteran teams battle it out in a handicapped sprint event.

The winners, The Leigh City Technology Academy from Dartford in Kent were delighted as this was their first outing for their car.

The main event, the Corporate Challenge, then got underway in the afternoon involving the top twelve cars from the 2007 Greenpower season and entries from industry around the UK.

After four hours of intensive racing, which included several quick pit-stops for all the teams to change batteries and drivers, it was a veteran team from the 2007 series who won the event.

Barry Shears, founder of Greenpower said: "We are delighted with the interest that has been shown the first Corporate Challenge".

"After nine years of running these events for young people we have inspired budding engineers and created awareness of the challenges they will be facing in the future".

"Today's results showing a school team taking on and beating corporate entries, is an example that the future of engineering is in safe hands".

IMechE Greenpower will be holding this event again in 2009 once again challenging industry to take on the next generation of engineers.

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