STUDENTS who built an environmentally-friendly car will reap the rewards of a year’s hard work as they get to race it at Aintree next week.

Eight budding engineers from St Bede’s RC High School in Blackburn have spent the past 12 months building a battery-powered car from a kit which will now be pitched against others.

MORE TOP STORIES:

The students will race the car, work pit side and record their experience at the Greenpower event at Aintree, Liverpool, on September 21.

The eight students were selected from a group of 35 and with the help of Lancaster University and British Aerospace, designed and built the miniature race car themselves.

Christopher Bentley, director of sport and community engagement at the school, said: “There is a criteria for each car and from that they build their own bodywork and streamline the car so it runs more efficiently.

“We have just been testing the car and trying to refine it and make it as light as possible. It has clocked speeds of 30mph so we are feeling confident.”

Schools from across the North West will take part in the race at Aintree’s motor racing circuit with the winners qualifying to race at Goodwood Festival of Speed in May.

“The car that is the most efficient and covers the most ground - the most number of laps on one battery charge will qualify for the next stage,” Mr Bentley said. The children, from years eight, nine and 10, have learnt different aspects of the gearing and brake systems as well as learning to drive the car.

Mr Bentley said they had to iron out glitches with the braking and starting system, they built a foot accelerator and solved electrical problems.

“It is not just about building the car, but helping to build confidence, resilience, problem solving and team work,” he said.

“It has been fantastic to see. They have shown real resilience.” and the completion of the car and seeing it drive has improved their confidence.”

Mr Bentley said the next project will involve building a car from scratch including sourcing raw materials.

If anyone would like to sponsor the car email Mr Bentley on cbentley@stbedesblackburn.com.