Greenpower Electric Car Race at KCOM Stadium

Published 13th July 2017

More than 2,000 people from across the Humber region saw 66 electric kit cars race around Hull’s KCOM Stadium yesterday (Sunday 16^th July), as part of innovative education initiative Project Blyth. The cars had been built from scratch by the 33 teams of young people taking part.

Races were held throughout the day for different age groups: IET Formula Goblin for primary school children aged 9-11 year olds, IET Formula 24 for 11-16 year olds and IET Formula 24 + for 16-25-year-olds.

The winners on the day were Healing Primary School (IET Formula Goblin), Healing School and South Holderness Technology College (IET Formula 24) and Hymers College (IET Formula 24+). These teams will now go into the International final held at Rockingham in Northants.

The cars have been supplied to primary schools, secondary schools, colleges and community groups by Greenpower Education Trust, a charity that encourages young people to think about engineering as a career. The hands-on project captures the excitement of motorsport to inspire young people, from primary school through to university, to excel in STEM subjects, helping to address the serious shortage of engineers faced by UK industry.

The Humber project is supported by major employers within the region including Siemens Gamesa and the University of Hull, with 60 local firms already committed to supporting teams.

Glenn Jensen, Curriculum Leader – Engineering, at East Riding College, who headed up teams at yesterday’s event, said:

“The event was incredibly well-attended and it was great to see so many teams with unique cars. The STEM Fair was really busy and provided a good opportunity to network with other education establishments and meet companies working in engineering. The race day was a brilliant end to a year of hard work for our students – we are looking forward to next year.”

Vaughan Curnow, Project Coordinator at Greenpower Education Trust, commented:

“It was a fantastic turnout and it was great to see so many months of hard work pay off. It was also good to see all the young drivers really put their cars to the test. The cars driven by primary school children reached 15mph, while those for 11 years or older reached 25-30mph. A lot of our older participants built their cars from scratch, which meant they could design the chassis more aerodynamically. This increased the car’s speed to 55mph, so some drivers really were speeding around the circuit.

“The Project Blyth event has really helped raise the profile of the Greenpower Education Trust and we hope that it has inspired other schools, colleges and organisations to get involved next year.”

The race day event, which was supported by Green Port Hull and The Careers & Enterprise Company, also hosted a Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) Fair, where young people discovered more about training and careers in energy, manufacturing and engineering.

Claudia Harris, Chief Executive of The Careers & Enterprise Company, who have helped fund Project Blyth, said:

“Greenpower’s Project Blyth is one of more than 100 proven careers and enterprise programmes that we have invested in since 2015.  Their programme is quite unique and draws together a fantastic range of engineering, entrepreneurial and creative skills that all help to prepare young people for the world of work.

“I feel honoured that we have played a part in bringing together so many students to celebrate their new skills on an amazing race track, supported by their family, friends and members of the local community.”

Leader of Hull City Council, Councillor Stephen Brady, speaking on behalf of the Green Port Hull partners, said:

“Well done to all involved in the Project Blyth initiative. It is inspiring that young people right from the age of 9, to age 25, were so passionate about the cars they’ve manufactured. It is clear they all learnt invaluable skills that will stay with them through into their futures.

“Once again I’d like to express my gratitude to the many and varied businesses that have been involved and made the project such a great success.

“I wish our finalists the very best of luck as they head to Rockingham.”

For more information on Project Blyth, visit www.projectblyth.co.uk