Youngsters Do Local Schools Proud Again at 2013 Schools Grand Prix
Last Sunday saw the 2013 Bedford Schools Grand Prix at the Bedford Autodrome in Thurleigh. This is a fantastic event which has taken place in recent years with the support of Jonathan Palmer, Chief Executive of Motorsport Vision (and of course renowned former racing driver). It invites local schools to enter teams in to design and construct a small electric car, before competing in a two hour endurance race. Not only that, but the schools are tasked with running a comprehensive racing team operation involving as many pupils and departments as possible, covering a wide range of aspects of the schools curriculum.
The tasks include creating a website for their project, putting together a pit-crew to assist with driver with battery changes, publicising their team and providing hospitality for their guests on race day. There are awards for each of these categories, and it was a real pleasure to help present the awards on the day and congratulate the children on their efforts.
All the schools and their teams who took part are to be congratulated, with a special mention for the winners in each category. Here's a full rundown of the results, including confirmation of the overall race winners, 'The Griffins' of Mark Rutherford School:
Bedford Autodrome Schools' Grand Prix - Results:
1, 'The Griffins', Mark Rutherford Upper School, 102 Laps
2, 'Inferno', Mark Rutherford Upper School, +4 Laps
3, 'Windcatcher', St. Thomas More Catholic Upper School, +14 Laps
4, 'Redborne Racing', Redborne Upper School and Community College, +16 Laps
5, 'Team BGS', Bedford Girls' School, +17 Laps
6, 'BUS Drivers', Biddenham International School, +20 Laps
7, 'Extra Lite', St. Thomas More Catholic Upper School, +22 Laps
8, 'BMS Racing Car 1', Bedford Modern School, +26 Laps
9, 'Bedford School', Bedford School, +27 Laps
Further awards for categories spanning the school curriculum:
Best commentators: Bedford Modern School
Best hospitality catering: Mark Rutherford Upper School
Best publicity: St. Thomas More Catholic Upper School
Best presented pit crew: Bedford School
Best looking car: Redborne Upper School and Community College
Best pitstop: St. Thomas More Catholic Upper School
Most interesting technology: Bedford Modern School
Most reliable car: Bedford Girls' School and Biddenham International School