News

A team of twelve sixth form students from Sir Isaac Newton Sixth Form recently competed in the national Greenpower F24+ Challenge, taking their first steps into the world of electric racing and hands-on engineering.

The event was hosted at the prestigious Lotus Hethel Test Track, which brought together student teams from across the country to race electric kit cars and custom builds.

Building on the previous team

Due to limited time and equipment, the team focused on rebuilding the existing Greenpower kit car after the previous team dismantled it but we didn’t stop at just reassembly - we also worked to improve the car where possible.

Using Fusion 360 and a 3D printer, one of our team members designed and fabricated new air ducts to help cool the motor, as well as a functional exhaust-style detail for aesthetic flair. These custom parts were printed using PLA plastic and integrated into the body panels of the car.

The bodywork itself used ABS sheeting for a lightweight yet sturdy finish, cut and formed in-house with limited tools. We didn’t have access to CNC machines or specialist equipment, so everything was done by hand — giving us an even deeper appreciation of the design and build process.

Innovation and Inspiration

While the car wasn’t completely reimagined this year, the project gave us our first taste of motorsport engineering - from aerodynamics and circuit assembly to real-world race prep and teamwork under pressure.

What really stood out to us at Lotus was the innovation we saw from other teams, especially given how tight budgets and resources were across the board. It was incredibly motivating to see what others had created with similar constraints - and we came away with many ideas for what next year’s team could do with more time and support.

A Call for Support

We’re proud to have had the backing of Alan Boswell, whose support helped get our car to the starting line, but we’re also thinking ahead.

Our hope is that next year’s team won’t just rebuild the car but will also improve it. We want next years’ team to innovate on the design of the current car and improve it with their own ideas. With better access to manufacturing tools like CNC machining, and guidance from industry mentors, we believe the team can go far.

If you're a local business, engineering firm, or even just a car enthusiast who believes in hands-on STEM education, we’d love to hear from you.

Looking Forward

The F24+ Challenge has been an unforgettable experience. It’s introduced us to new skills, shown us the power of collaboration, and opened our eyes to the possibilities of engineering and motorsport. Several of us are now seriously considering careers in the field - a journey that started with some ABS panels and a few hand tools.