Pupils eco-car can do 2,058 miles per gallon

5:17pm Friday 4th July 2008

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SANDBACH School pupils went the extra mile yesterday to scoop first prize at the Shell Eco-marathon Youth Challenge.

The team, which built its eco-car from scratch, competed against 17 other schools from across the UK in this national driving competition where speed is sacrificed for efficiency. Victory seemed beyond the grasp of the team for much of the day as their car was plagued with technical problems at the Rockingham Festival of Science. .

Racing against the clock, the boys poured all their energies into getting the vehicle out on the track.

When the wheels finally started turning, the team managed its first and only run – which was enough to win the top trophy.

Their vehicle managed an impressive 2,058 miles per gallon – making it more than 57 times more fuel efficient than a Ford Mondeo.

The team also came in pole position in last year’s Youth Challenge competition.

The competition challenges schools to design, build, and test fuel efficient vehicles.

Pupils aim to complete the course at the world famous Rockingham Motor Speedway using the least fuel possible whilst maintaining an average speed of 15mph.

The schools initiative is one of several classes in the Youth challenge competition which this year saw 400 people from schools, universities and engineering clubs testing vehicles. Dave Leater, design and technology teacher and team leader at Sandbach School said: “Winning the Shell Eco-marathon Youth Challenge for the second year running has brought smiles to all our faces.

“Our success, which came at the eleventh hour is down to the determination of the boys, and their relentless efforts to get the car going.

“The project has captured the imagination of the whole school, really bringing engineering to life for them – there’s no substitute for hands-on experience. “As well as improving their practical skills, the challenge has given the boys a chance to work as a team which is something they’ve really excelled at.

“They’re already talking about next year’s car and hopefully their interest in the subject will continue to grow.”

Shell has been running Eco-marathon events for over 20 years.

This Youth Challenge is specifically designed to encourage the engineers of tomorrow to look differently at energy and how we use it.

To find out more about the event or to register interest in next year’s Shell Eco-marathon Youth Challenge, please visit www.shell.com and www.learninggrid.co.uk/rockingham/activities.