Full Speed Ahead for Bradford College Greenpower Challenge

It’s clutch up and full speed ahead across the region as this week, nine secondary schools across Bradford took delivery of their very own electric kit cars so they can build and race their very own electric kit car, thanks to one of our innovative new educational partnerships.

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In collaboration with the Greenpower Education Trust, Bradford College has now officially launched West Yorkshire’s first Formula 24 Challenge. The initiative will give students aged 11-16 the chance to build and race a Greenpower kit car using a donated frame and the components for a battery-powered engine. 

The single seater cars, with a top speed of around 30mph, were hand-delivered to nine keen recipients this week:

• Hanson Academy 
• Hazelbeck School 
• Oastlers Keighley 
• Parkside School 
• Dixons City Academy 
• Tong Leadership Academy 
• BBG Academy 
• Bradford College 14-16 Provision 
• Feversham Girls’ Academy (soon to be received) 

Ambitious students will now team up with staff to start constructing the cars, putting a unique spin on their self-sourced bodywork with an emphasis on the use of eco-friendly materials. 

As well as the donated car kit, schools will also receive expert technical coaching from Greenpower and the Bradford College Motor Vehicle team. Once built and completed, the nine schools will take part in an exciting time trial race day this summer with various prizes and awards on offer. 

Head of Centre at Oastlers Keighley, Robert Fairbairn, said “We found out about the opportunity to build and race an electric car through conversations with colleagues at Bradford College. We see this as a great opportunity to motivate our young people to participate, opening their eyes to the possibilities across a range of subjects in school. Building and racing the car will show them learning can be fun and, at the same time, inspiring. 

A key representative from Greenpower, Vaughan Curnow, had this to say about the positive outcomes of the project: “The Formula 24 Challenge builds confidence and self-esteem, as well as teaching transferrable skills in marketing, fundraising, design and more. Thanks goes to Bradford College for being so supportive in the rollout of the project. Together, we hope to get even more schools, employers, and sponsors involved to enhance the project further.” 

“Greenpower is all about engineering and social inclusion, so Bradford is an excellent fit for this aspirational initiative. We want to showcase careers to a diverse range of students who may not otherwise get a hands-on opportunity like this.” 

As well as our own Greenpower scheme, the National Formula 24 season runs from April to October with regional race heats taking place all over the country until the end of September. Around 30 events take place across the UK annually and an International Final is held in October for qualifying teams from across the globe. 

Bradford College is interested in talking to engineering and motor vehicle employers or local businesses who may be interested in supporting the race and initiative as a whole. This could consist of either partnering with a local secondary school to help design and build their car or through sponsorship of the July race day. Please contact [email protected] for more details. 

To find out more about this budding partnership and what it means for teenagers across the region, please visit the Greenpower Education Trust website or take a look at our very own dedicated Bradford College & Greenpower page.