In 2008 Greenpower held the first motor race at Aintree since 1982. This venue, better known for the Grand National horse racing, is steeped in motor racing history, is an ideal venue for Greenpower racing, and as such is now an annual fixture on the events calendar. On 22 September 2009, Greenpower returned for the Formula 24 North West Regional Heat and Round 5 of the Formula 24+ Championship. With double the entries of 2008, much appreciated financial and volunteer support from the Institution of Mechanical Engineers North West Region, and organisation and marshalling by the Liverpool Motor Club, it was set to be another event to remember.
Although dark skies early on threatened rain, it remained dry throughout the day though strong winds would provide testing conditions later on in the endurance races. Some teams made the most of the limited practice time available, whilst the four Formula 24+ teams readied themselves for the start of their 90 minute round at 10.30.
Sandbach High School’s Zebedee shot straight into the lead of the Formula 24+ race, but to many an unexpected sight was Chipping Sodbury School’s Y-Pod?! holding off Sandbach’s second car Brian at the end of the first lap, with Emmanuel College’s Black Diamond in fourth position. Things were soon to change however as loose battery terminals on Zebedee saw it slow to a halt, requiring the first recovery of the day by the rescue team. It then appeared to be a question of which of Y-Pod?! and Brian would have the ability to last the course, but a puncture for Brian saw it limp back into the pits. It then just remained to be seen whether Brian could make up the lost time, but it turned out not to be, with Y-Pod?! just holding off the Sandbach challenge to the chequered flag, and a second victory at Aintree for Alex Hunter, captain and driver of the Y-Pod?! team. Emmanuel College had meanwhile slipped into a deserved third position, with the unusual scenario of Zebedee finishing last.
At 12.30, the larger race of the day with 24 cars on the grid got underway for an epic four hour battle, with the strong wind providing tough conditions. After pre-race favourites Sandbach High School’s problems in the earlier Formula 24+ round, there was no guarantee as to who would come out on top.
Early on, teams from Abbotsholme School, Longton High School, The Streetly School and Springhill High School looked to be the main contenders for top positions, though newcomers Priory Sports and Technology College in their superbly built new Formula 24 kit car were in the top six and looking strong. Down the grid many regular competitors were having their own problems and races within the race, but it was also good to see other newcomers Pensby Sports College, Broadoak School and St Edward’s College mixing it with seasoned veterans. Sandbach High School looked quick at times, but puncture after puncture for both cars made it look unlikely that they would make it back to the top this time.
Cars of note in the field included the long awaited K2 Kayak replacement from Samuel King’s School – a superbly built car with stylish roof box bodywork. Last minute adjustments to K2 were required, appearing to involve a TIG welding set brought to the event by the team! The Leigh Technology Academy’s new Leigh Stormers 2, travelling all the way from Kent to compete, was another impressive piece of work. Sadly neither car appeared to be achieving full potential on their first outings, but no doubt their time will come at subsequent events.
As the third hour of the race passed, surprisingly a recovering Brian had managed to creep back onto the leaderboard, eventually demoting Abbotsholme School’s Electric Blue from first position and holding this to the flag. Springhill’s Zencar had their best result to date moving into second place in the last minutes as the battery power of many faded. Like Brian, Zebedee was making an excellent recovery, finally making it back into third, and demoting Electric Blue to fourth in the last minutes. Longton High School’s Renascor also had an excellent result in fifth, top newcomers Priory Sports College an impressive sixth, and another surprise in seventh being the Streetly School’s Streetly Flyer.
At a well attended prize giving, Ian Grant and Matthew Acton of the IMechE North West Region presented Greenpower with a cheque for their donation towards the event. John Harden, Chairman of the Liverpool Motor Club congratulated teams on their efforts, and a well deserved round of applause was heard for the Liverpool Motor Club and IMechE marshals. As usual, Greenpower events would not be possible without the support of volunteers, and those present at Aintree did a fantastic job.
We very much look forward to returning to Aintree on Tuesday 16 September 2010 – the first known date on the Greenpower 2010 calendar.