St Mary's storms to victory

More than 180 students from 17 primary schools across Hampshire and Sussex travelled to HMS Excellent in Portsmouth for the first race of the season, organised by Greenpower.

Despite being one of the smallest schools taking part, St Mary’s CE Primary School, in Brookpit Lane, was an overall winner in a three-way tie with Funtington Primary School in West Ashling and Pennthorpe School in Rudgwick.

The St Mary’s team was first in the sprint event and won a special award for Greenest Bodywork.

Jeremy Way, chief executive of Greenpower, said: “This event inspires so many children into STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) related careers later on in life.

“The racing was extremely close between all of the teams, this has been proved by the fact we’ve had a three-way tie at our first event of the year.”

St Mary’s then competed at Plumpton College on Saturday and pipped 23 cars to the post, again winning overall first prize plus coming first in the slalom and third in the drag event.

The school’s electric kit cars, called Juiced Up and Go Cart-on, are emission free and the bodywork is 100 per cent recycled, being made up of drink cartons which have been flattened and sewn together for an ultra-lightweight body.

The St Mary’s team is made up of 15 pupils from years five and six, who are supported by a dedicated team of parents, sponsors and teachers.

Janet Llewelyn, head teacher, said: “The Climping team meet up during out-of-school hours to hone their engineering and driving skills and maintain their kit vehicles, which are both several years old.

“Pupils race the cars and have displayed real talent and determination on the racetrack.

“Greenpower is a fantastic opportunity to spark an interest in both engineering and sustainability in our year five and six pupils. Our team has shown real focus and their hard work has certainly paid off.”

Greenpower is an educational trust set up to promote sustainable engineering, inspiring future engineers and encouraging an awareness of resource consumption and efficiency.

The next race will be at Banjo Road in Littlehampton on May 27, when the St Mary’s team will be under pressure to retain their pole position on home turf.

Each race meeting has an entrance fee and fundraising events are held to cover the costs of maintenance and kit.

The St Mary’s team is looking for local sponsors. Contact the school on 01903 714325 for more information.

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