Now, I know what you're thinking. Not a bloody topic on saving the planet bollocks. That's where you're wrong. Don't judge a book by it's cover.
Over the last year I have been part of the Bristol Grammar School Greenpower team. I was asked to join about this time last year, for the school's first year of competing.
The aim of the project was to build an electric go-kart to compete against other schools/colleges etc around the country. We had about six months planning and just less than four months building the car. The rules are simple; everyone uses the same electric motor and the same two car batteries. You then have the whole race on one set of batteries. The batteries are car batteries, so they’re not the best for the environment, but then again, who give a ****?
Our car is called MEGAZORD. We decided that the name needed to be childish and pointless. We went down the Power Rangers theme with the idea of have team overalls in all the different colours. As it turns out we didn’t have the funding for that, but we stuck with the MEGAZORD name.
We have raced at two qualifying events: the first at Castle Combe early in September; the second at Dunsfold Park (aka the Top Gear Test Track) later on in September. We finished 6th and 3rd respectively.
Two weekends ago we went to Goodwood for the national final. After a bit of a nightmare in the first half of the race with electrical failures, we finally managed to crawl back from 19th position to 10th. We were a bis disappointed, as if we'd have driving the whole race like our last 30 minutes then we'd have been 5th or 6th. This was the national final, so for a first time entrant 10th place was really good.
We also finished 6th in the Constructor Challenge, which is based on points as apposed to race positions in the final.
Due to my knowledge of the tools, machines(particularly the lathes and Milling Machines) I have taken a forward role in the design and manufacture of the car. I have also driven it at all three venues. It’s not the fastest thing on Earth, in the final we were averaging about 30mph, but it feels a lot quicker than that and it’s a hell of a lot of fun.
I have also been responsible for maintaining the website:
http://www.greenpowerbgs.350.com
I know the site’s a bit… amateur, but we really were trying to keep it a simple as possible. On the website there’s a team biography, a gallery, information on our sponsors and more!
Pictures here: http://www.greenpowerbgs.350.com/Gallery.htm
Right well, that’s about all I have to say right now. Just thought it was something a bit different and new for you guys to read about. Oh, and by the way, Mk II is now in the designing stages. Our initial plans have halved the weight of first car, and increased the speed and efficiency. We also need a lot more money for Mk II. Our current car has cost us about £2000 to build, and Mk II will be more than that. If you know of anyone who might be interested in sponsorship then please get in touch. You can go to the contact page on the site and email the team from there.
Over the last year I have been part of the Bristol Grammar School Greenpower team. I was asked to join about this time last year, for the school's first year of competing.
The aim of the project was to build an electric go-kart to compete against other schools/colleges etc around the country. We had about six months planning and just less than four months building the car. The rules are simple; everyone uses the same electric motor and the same two car batteries. You then have the whole race on one set of batteries. The batteries are car batteries, so they’re not the best for the environment, but then again, who give a ****?
Our car is called MEGAZORD. We decided that the name needed to be childish and pointless. We went down the Power Rangers theme with the idea of have team overalls in all the different colours. As it turns out we didn’t have the funding for that, but we stuck with the MEGAZORD name.
We have raced at two qualifying events: the first at Castle Combe early in September; the second at Dunsfold Park (aka the Top Gear Test Track) later on in September. We finished 6th and 3rd respectively.
Two weekends ago we went to Goodwood for the national final. After a bit of a nightmare in the first half of the race with electrical failures, we finally managed to crawl back from 19th position to 10th. We were a bis disappointed, as if we'd have driving the whole race like our last 30 minutes then we'd have been 5th or 6th. This was the national final, so for a first time entrant 10th place was really good.
We also finished 6th in the Constructor Challenge, which is based on points as apposed to race positions in the final.
Due to my knowledge of the tools, machines(particularly the lathes and Milling Machines) I have taken a forward role in the design and manufacture of the car. I have also driven it at all three venues. It’s not the fastest thing on Earth, in the final we were averaging about 30mph, but it feels a lot quicker than that and it’s a hell of a lot of fun.
I have also been responsible for maintaining the website:
http://www.greenpowerbgs.350.com
I know the site’s a bit… amateur, but we really were trying to keep it a simple as possible. On the website there’s a team biography, a gallery, information on our sponsors and more!
Pictures here: http://www.greenpowerbgs.350.com/Gallery.htm
Right well, that’s about all I have to say right now. Just thought it was something a bit different and new for you guys to read about. Oh, and by the way, Mk II is now in the designing stages. Our initial plans have halved the weight of first car, and increased the speed and efficiency. We also need a lot more money for Mk II. Our current car has cost us about £2000 to build, and Mk II will be more than that. If you know of anyone who might be interested in sponsorship then please get in touch. You can go to the contact page on the site and email the team from there.
