Members of the Rutherford School Greenpower Racing team have steered all three of their cars into the Educational Foundation International Final held at the legendary Silverstone Circuit.
The team has been working hard through this year to design, build and prepare their electric race cars for the season and they are more than ready for the final which takes place on Thursday 17 October.
Competitors from countries as far afield as Argentina, Portugal and Poland – alongside over 260 from the UK alone – vied for a place in the 20th Anniversary Final of The Greenpower Educational Foundation.
Only 80 cars qualify for this race by achieving the best distance in any of the 90 minute heats held throughout the country.
The Rutherford cars now rank 20th (Inferno), 22nd (Wildfire) and 25th (Blaze) in the field of 266 UK cars.
The team have decided to concentrate their efforts on two cars so will be racing Inferno and Wildfire on 17 October, when the public are invited to come along to Silverstone to show their support.
There are strict technical regulations and race rules which require that pupils work as a team to design, build and drive the cars and manage the race and pit stops.
Rutherford Racers is a well established volunteer led extra-curricular activity at Mark Rutherford School, where students give up evenings and weekends to contribute.
Greg Redmond, member of staff at the school and manager of the teams for 10 years said, “Since 2009, students have designed, built and raced a total of five racing cars. Some 200 male and female students to date have benefited, including those who have progressed to further study and employment in related fields.
“Many have used their contribution to the team in successful applications for Arkwright Engineering Scholarships.
“Our many aims include promotion of engineering knowledge, skills and innovation. Equally important are enhancement of individual confidence, vital life skills and wider social benefits gained from contributing to the working of a successful team”.
The team is sponsored by Jamie Catlett Fabrication, Transition Cycles, Brilliant Customer Services and Manor Mortgages.
