IMechE Greenpower Electric Car Races for Schools

By lmc • August 4th, 2009

sandbach-aintree-2008

Zebedee – Sandbach High School’scar came 3rd in 2009(Picturecourtesy ofSteve Wilkinson)

They’re coming back! TheNorth West heats of the IMechE Greenpower Electric Car Races for Schools are returning to Aintree on Thursday 16th September 2010.

In 2009, 25 teams took part in the event. Word certainly got around that Aintree is a superb venue for these high-tech super efficient electric cars, so this wasn’t an event to miss. For the official race report, click : http://www.greenpower.co.uk/racing/results_detail.php?type=2009_NORTHWESTREGIONALHEAT_701527

After morning open practice, the first race wasa 90 minute session for Formula 24+ teams (for 16-21 year olds).4 teams took part in this race in 2009, then in the afternoon, the main race wasfor Formula 24 cars (for younger teams, aged 11 to 17) as a 4 hour endurance event. Over24 teamsentered for this race, and there was afantastic atmosphere with 250 – 300 students of all ages on site.

We expect the 2010 event to be similar to 2009′s with more teams than ever taking part. Pit stops & driver changes should be really exciting with so many teams entered too!

Please visit the Greenpower section of the Club Forum for visitors comments about the 2009 event as we get them. If you would like to help at this charity event (and we are always short of helpers), please contact John Harden (LMC Chairman) via http://www.liverpoolmotorclub.com/about/contact-us/. This event is particularly ideal for some of our less energetic &/or retired members and their friends. Marshals at most posts will be able to sit in their cars whilst undertaking their duties; particularly advantageous if the weather is typical of this summer!

Having been to a few Greenpower events now, I am still blown awayby the way the teams work together, the enthusiasm they show, and just how well behaved they all are. Quite different from the extremes that we are fed daily by the media!

Whilst these are all “home made” electric cars designed & constructed by schools, colleges & apprentices and speeds won’t be as high as we are used to at Aintree, we still see 40mph attained by some of the cars – pretty good for vehicles powered by a couple of 12v carbatteries.

Here’s the usual timetable:-
07.30 Signing on opens
08.00 Scrutineering followed by marshals briefing at 08.45
09.00 Practice (up to 90 mins)
10.30-1200 Formula 24+ Race (90 mins)
12.00-12.25 Lunch
12.30-16.30 Formula 24 (main race) North West Regional Heat (4 hours)
17.00 Prize Giving
17.00 Golf Course opens to public

Greenpower bring virtually everything with them for the event, timekeepers, start crew, commentator, etc. However, we need a minimum of 8 marshals to keep an eye on the track & to look after “our” venue! We will also need to prepare the venue with a few cones, maybe the corner boards, & a few banners to advertise LMC and to give the event some atmosphere. Can you help? We already have a few volunteers but could do with a few more. No motorsport experience necessary and there is no need for orange fireproofs! If you can help, or know someone who may be interested in coming along to assist with this charity event, pleasesend a message to John Harden through the contact page on this site.
The more people we get, the less boring it will be for all of us as we shall be able to move people about whilst the racing is underway.

This is event particularly ideal for some of our retired members and their friends. Marshals at most posts will be able to sit in their cars whilst undertaking their duties; particularly advantageous if the weather is typical of this summer!

If you know of a school that isn’t already involved, Greenpower is part of the national curriculum and they too could be involved next year, so why not get them to Aintree on 22nd September to see what it’s all about!

If you would like to bring a competition car along to show the participants what they could be doing as the next step after Greenpower, do let me know. (Static display only)
For more info and to keep up to date with Greenpower, have a look at their website:-
http://www.greenpower.co.uk/about/

John Harden

Comments(2) Uncategorized

Comments

By Alex Hunter on September 1st, 2008 at 8:23 pm

Great! Glad to see you’ve used a photo of our car!
Looking forward to the race on the 10th, should be a good circuit for Greenpower cars.
If you’re interested, our website has info about all our schools cars.

By Ian Grant - Institution of Mechanical Engineers on September 14th, 2008 at 9:16 pm

Many thanks to everyone at Liverpool Motor Club for organising a superb event. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves – You even managed to organise the weather!

 

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