Greenpower Team set for poll position next year with support from UN

Thanks to sponsorship from the University of Northampton, ten sixth form pupils from Silverstone University Technical College (UTC) are gearing up to take the sustainable motorsport world by storm from September.

The pupils will be competing in the 2016 Greenpower competition, which will see them design, build and race an eco-friendly race car. The pupils have one year to prepare a race-fit vehicle designed and built solely by them.

George Bridson, pupil at Silverstone UTC and Team Leader of the Greenpower team said: “This competition will be really challenging; we have to create this vehicle from scratch and without much help from our teachers. We are responsible for everything from the design to marketing of the car. It’s going to test our skills, but we can’t wait to get started in September.

Neil Patterson, Principle of Silverstone UTC said: “We are so proud of the pupils involved in the Greenpower Team. This will be the second year the UTC have been involved in the project. The sponsorship form the University of Northampton will kick start the project with a much needed injection of funds. I think this project will inspire a new generation of engineers. The whole UTC are behind the team and can’t wait to see how the vehicle is developed next year.”

Greenpower is a scheme which helps promote engineering to all future engineers. Operated by the Greenpower Education Trust, the competition gives young people the chance to design and construct electric cars, engage sponsors, source resources and gain local support. The project incorporates maths, engineering, physics, design, marketing, team-building, technology, problem solving and communication.