A TEAM from Tavistock College has taken part in the Newquay Greenpower Formula 24 racing event for the first time.

The event, held at Newquay Airport, involves teams of 11 to 16 year olds who are challenged to design racing carts, all using the same, sustainable electric motor.

The teams have to compete in at least one regional heat and finish in the top three to automatically qualify for the international final held in October at Rockingham Motor Speedway.

Tavistock College students' electric endurance race car was built by a team of talented Year 8, 9 and 10 students, aged 12 to 15, as an extracurricular project. The team comprised Jack Kelly, Jack Kerswill, Erin Bolding, Tom Harrison, Bryce Lovell, Ben Anning and Sebastian Hennessy-Dobbs.

The race track, which was several kilometres long, gave the different teams some useful racing experience over two 90 minute endurance races.

Cars ranged in design dramatically and throughout the day the students discussed how they would improve their car by shedding weight, changing gear ratios and aerodynamics, plus all manner of other engineering decisions.

Pete Keegan, who launched the project at the college, said: 'What was noticeable with our team was the fact it was the students who were tweaking the car's performance, fixing problems and thinking fast to get issues resolved.

'I am so proud of their achievement and how they have developed in this last year.

'They have transformed from a group of kids into young passionate engineers.'

In the first race the students secured an impressive ninth place out of 20 cars.

A spokesperson for Tavistock College said it was a 'superb event for our first time entering a Greenpower event'.

In the second race, the students clawed their way up to eighth place, but then suffered a broken chain and had to be recovered.

Some fast thinking and swift spanner work meant the team had the car back out to complete the final lap, finishing in eleventh place.

Tom Harrison, student and team member, said: 'Seeing the variety of cars and engineering involved was awe inspiring.

'We have been building our car, "Mad Max Racing", for about six months and we have really learnt a great deal in that time.

'However, the amount we learnt on the day was incredible and we are full of ideas for developing the car further.'

A spokesperson for Tavistock College added: 'Mr Keegan and Mr Moore are going to recruit a new team in the autumn term which will be open for all Year 8 and 9 students to apply.

'This new team will need to fundraise and seek sponsorship in order to raise the necessary funds for the project as the current team did and are still doing in order to keep making these incremental improvements to their car.

'Special thanks to our sponsors Tavistock Round Table and the Tavistock Lions Club for supporting the project from the start.'