The one-month countdown is on until 33 teams of young people from across the Humber region go head-to-head in an electric kit car race around Hull’s KCOM Stadium, as part of innovative education initiative Project Blyth.
Over 60 single-seat electric kit cars, which have been built from scratch by the teams’ members, are set to be raced around a circuit at the sports venue on Sunday 16th July. The event, which is being supported by Green Port Hull, will also play host to a Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) Fair, where young people can find out more about training and careers in energy, manufacturing and engineering.
The cars have been supplied to primary schools, secondary schools, colleges and community groups by Greenpower Education Trust, a charity that encourages young people to think about engineering as a career. The hands-on project captures the excitement of motorsport to inspire young people, from primary school through to university, to excel in STEM subjects, helping to address the serious shortage of engineers faced by UK industry.
The Humber project is supported by major employers within the region including Siemens and the University of Hull, with 60 local firms already committed to supporting teams.
Vaughan Curnow, Project Coordinator at Greenpower Education Trust, commented:
“With the race just four weeks away, all of the teams taking part are incredibly excited and are making the finishing touches to their cars before the big day. More than 600 people are taking part and we are hoping many more will come to support.
“Project Blyth is our first regional project in the Humber area and the timing has been perfect. There’s a real buzz in this part of the country thanks to the significant investment in renewable energy, both on the north and south bank, and the Hull 2017 celebrations are inspiring lots of people to get creative.”
Leader of Hull City Council, Councillor Stephen Brady, speaking on behalf of the Green Port Hull partnership, said:
“It’s been fantastic to hear about the teams taking part and the progress they are making on their cars. The race day will bring together hundreds of young people and we hope it’s a catalyst for future involvement in Project Blyth.”
Project Blyth has been awarded funding from Green Port Hull, which is supported by the Regional Growth Fund, to support 10 IET Formula 20+ cars, enhance business engagement with schools and colleges and facilitate the race event.
The race is split up into Formula Goblin for primary school children for 9-11 year olds, IET Formula 24 for 11-16 year olds and IET Formula 24 + for 16-25-year-olds. The three best teams will go into the national finals held at Rockingham in Northants.
The cars driven by primary school children reach 15mph, while those for 11 years or older reach 25-30mph. Older participants can scratch-build cars, which means they can design the chassis more aerodynamically which could increase the car’s speed to 55mph.
For more information on Project Blyth, visit www.projectblyth.co.uk
