IT MIGHT look like the cartoon Wacky Races has come to life but this is one of the most challenging and innovative forms of motorsport.
This is the Greenpower Education Trust challenge and it’s inspiring the next generation of engineers and team members across Scotland. Through their electric-powered motorsport events, the UK-based charity spark interest in science and technology – and kick-start careers in engineering.
Certainly, the enthusiasm and determination of the students participating made it easy to forget the chill wind at East Fortune Race Circuit in East Lothian.
This was the first Scottish round of the season and there was plenty of fettling going on to get each of the electric race cars ready for scrutineering ahead of the practice sessions and separate races for the different classes.
The idea behind the Greenpower challenge is to encourage students from as young as nine all the way up to 25 years old to get hands-on with designing and developing their own race car.
Every element that is needed to run a race team and car is required, so it’s not just about jumping in and driving around a track.
As part of the experience, the students are presented with a basic kit of parts. For the Formula Goblin cars aimed at the nine to 11 age group, this comprises a full kit that kids assemble into a complete car.
They can then add bodywork to make it more aerodynamic or just stand out more against their competitors. Designed with help from the Institution of Engineering and Technology, there are three classes and the middle one is for 11 to 16-year-old pupils.
Their kit only comes with the motor and batteries, so they have to design their own chassis, while the oldest age range from 16 to 25 years old design everything from scratch.
The Audi e-tron has a powerful road presence
Scottish Tesla Model 3 launch creates a real buzz
Powering the cars is a small electric motor and a battery like the one used in most cars. This means power has to be used sparingly during races as battery changes are not allowed.
However, in endurance races, the battery can be changed but it’s a balance between making the most of the power and the time it takes to swap batteries. In these races, there are also three drivers sharing time behind the wheel.
This is part of what makes the Greenpower challenge so clever as it pushes the students much further than many projects would. Brian Robertson-Fern helps to organise these events and says: “The students aren’t handed anything on a plate.
“They have to work out for themselves how to build the car, make it work and then run it successfully. That means thinking about race strategy, who are the best drivers, teamwork and dealing with problems as they crop up. They’re not just pretending to run real race teams, they are real race teams.”
This also shows up in the variety of shapes and styles of the cars. Teams are encouraged to try out new ideas to see how they alter the car’s performance. Sometimes it works and other times it doesn’t. This is key to learning how a race team operates.
On race day, there are practice sessions and races for each of the age categories. Each team competes in a number of events made up of a slalom course, drag race and a head-to-head sprint.
There are awards for the winners of each of these races as well as for the Best Bodywork, Best Presented Team and Spirit of Greenpower for a team that’s overcome the biggest problems to compete. Brian says: “The students get a real taste of motorsport and it’s amazing how they develop the cars.
“Some of them are kids that don’t engage well in the classroom, so this is a chance to do something different where they get involved in every aspect. It’s also growing fast as we only had a few teams last year and now we’re filling the paddock.”
That’s no surprise. It might look wacky but, for the students taking part, this is serious fun.
.jpg?w=600)
