CORPORATE CHALLENGE

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Greenpower has been inspiring the next generation of engineers since 1999, through electric car races for schools programme. Hundreds of schools and thousands of students nationwide have taken part over the years.

Pupils from primary school age upwards stuck into both theoretical and practical engineering in exciting and unique design, build and race projects, which culminate in occasions such as our prestigious four hour endurance races at major motor circuits around the UK.

Three categories cater for anyone in education aged 9-21. Each formula is closely controlled by its own unique and rigid specification which requires cars to use identical electric motors and batteries.

Now, in Greenpower’s tenth anniversary year, industry has the chance to take on the top fifteen secondary school cars from 2007 in The Corporate Challenge - a four hour endurance race to be held at the Goodwood Motor Circuit on Sunday 27th April 2008.

Using apprentices or employees, entrants must design, build and race an electric car, capable of challenging the top 15 cars built by secondary schools in a four hour endurance race. Alternatively, entrants may collaborate with a currently participating school and use their expertise to create a winning partnership.

Each car in the challenge must comply with Formula 24 + 2008 regulations and teams must comprise of a minimum of three drivers plus backup pit crew on race day.

• A great team building exercise for apprentices or employees.
• The opportunity to forge close links with a local school.
• Positive publicity from involvement with schools and an eco friendly event.

Formula 24+ is an exciting new Greenpower Formula, aimed at those in further education aged 16-21 years. Anyone that falls into this category can enter, including privateers, youth groups, sixth forms, colleges, universities, and company apprenticeship schemes.

The vehicle regulations are almost identical to Formula 24 for secondary schools – the only difference being an increase in allowed vehicle length to cater for taller drivers and allow enhanced aerodynamics.

Eight championship rounds of 90 minutes each will be held at major motor circuits for Formula 24 + cars during June, July and September 2008. Teams must compete in two races of their choice, plus the final round of the season held at the Goodwood Motor Circuit in October, to be included in the Constructors Championship.

Points for the Constructors Championship will be awarded on the following basis at each round: 1st – 10 points; 2nd – 8 points; 3rd – 6 points; 4th – 5 points; 5th – 4 points; 6th – 3 points; 7th – 2 points; 8th – 1 point. Teams may enter more than the three compulsory events, but only their three highest scores will be counted.

Teams can be of any size – any number of drivers can be used during the 90 minutes.

Formula 24 + is a great chance for anyone involved in Greenpower at secondary school to remain involved, by either building a new car from scratch, or developing and racing an existing Formula 24 car.

To receive a full entry pack, please register your interest on the Entry Forms page.

All vehicles entered for any event organised by Greenpower under Formula 24+ rules will comply with the following regulations. All vehicles will be subject to pre-event and possible post-event scrutineering to ensure compliance.

• 1. Motor
  • 1.1 The vehicle will be powered by one 24 volt, 240 watt, DC Fracmo electric motor supplied by Greenpower.
  • 1.2 The motor is sealed and must not be opened.
  • 1.3 Cooling of the motor is allowed, but methods using prior energy input or additional battery power are banned.
  • 1.4 The motor must be easily accessible for inspection.
• 2. Batteries
  • 2.1 Two 12 volt Yuasa 100T Elite batteries supplied by Greenpower will be used on each vehicle. No further batteries can be used during F24+ events.
  • 2.2 The batteries must be firmly secured to the chassis of the vehicle using rigid fixings – i.e. no webbing or elastic straps.
  • 2.3 The batteries must be located within the bodywork of the vehicle.
  • 2.4 Where practise is allowed, standard lead/acid practise batteries may be used.
  • 2.5 Batteries must have connections that are not liable to disconnect or earth against metal parts.
  • 2.6 The bottom of the batteries must be below the centreline of the rear axle.
  • 2.7 Suitable battery trolleys must be used for transporting batteries around pits and paddock - they must not be carried.
• 3. Wheels & Track
  • 3.1 Wheels must not be less than 200mm (8in) or greater than 500mm (20in) in diameter.
  • 3.2 There must be four wheels located as a matching front and matching rear pair.
  • 3.3 The track of the vehicle (distance from wheel centreline to centreline across vehicle) must not be less than 500mm front or rear.
• 4. Dimensions
  • 4.1 The vehicle must not exceed 2800mm in length (standard Formula 24 maximum length is 2500mm), 1200mm in width, and 1200mm in height.
  • 4.2 Ground clearance must not be less than 40mm.
• 5. Driver and Seating
  • 5.1 The vehicle will have one seat firmly fixed to the vehicle chassis for the driver who will remain seated at all times whilst racing.
  • 5.2 The driver must be seated in a conventional feet forward, head to the back position. Drivers may not kneel, sit astride a seat, or lie down in any way such that their chests and head are forward of their waist.
  • 5.3 The driver must be able to demonstrate an exit from the vehicle in six seconds unaided.
  • 5.4 There must be a solid floor under the driver.
• 6. Bodywork
  • 6.1 The vehicle will have bodywork reaching to at least the back of the driver, up to elbow height on the sides, and must not prevent hand signals from being made.
  • 6.2 There must be a permanent cockpit opening, large enough for the driver to exit the vehicle, without the use of doors or the removal of any panels or coverings.
  • 6.3 The entire helmet of each driver must be visible above the bodywork to the sides. There must be no bodywork over the top of the helmet.
  • 6.4 Parts of the bodywork may be removed during pitstops to aid driver/battery removal.
  • 6.5 Energy absorbing foam (closed cell polyethylene) of minimum 25mm thickness must be attached to the inside of the vehicle bodywork along either side of the driver, from the floor to the cockpit opening.
  • 6.6 There must be energy absorbing foam in the front of the bodywork for frontal impact protection.
  • 6.7 All cockpit edges and sharp edges/protrusions in the cockpit must be padded.
• 7. Brakes
  • 7.1 The vehicle must have an effective braking system that will prevent it being pushed from standstill with the brakes applied.
  • 7.2 They should be capable of stopping the vehicle, when travelling at the maximum speed of the vehicle, within a distance of 25 metres. This will be the subject of random checks during event practise.
  • 7.3 There must be a mechanical brake in addition to any electrical braking system that might be incorporated.
  • 7.4 The driver must be able to operate the brakes without removing either hand from the steering mechanism.
• 8. Roll Bars
  • 8.1 The vehicle must have front and rear roll bars offering protection generally in accordance with the diagram below – the helmeted head of the tallest driver must be below the line A-B as shown.
  • 8.2 Roll bars must be firmly secured to the chassis of the vehicle, and be triangulated with a forwards or rearwards brace from the roll bar to the chassis.
  • 8.3 Aluminium, steel or composite roll bars can be used but must be of sufficient dimensions and wall thickness to perform satisfactorily. If in doubt check material suitability with Greenpower before construction.
  • 8.4 The front and rear wheels must not be regarded as part of the roll protection.
• 9. Safety Equipment
  • 9.1 Two suitably sized rear view mirrors must be fitted.
  • 9.2 The vehicle must have a clearly audible warning device.
  • 9.3 A 24 volt rated isolation switch must be fitted, and will be switched to off at all times when the vehicle is not moving. It should be clearly visible and be easily accessible to the driver, and from outside the vehicle. Two switches will be fitted if needed. On/Off positions must be clearly marked.
  • 9.4 The vehicle must be fitted with a minimum four fixing point, 50mm width racing safety harness, with secure fixing points on the roll bar or chassis. Care must be taken with the location to prevent ‘submarining’ of the driver.
  • 9.5 A clearly visible non-flashing red brake light will be fitted. It can incorporate its own battery. The lens must measure at least 30mm x 30mm.
• 10. Steering
  • 10.1 Steering systems must have minimal play in joints, and must not be able to lock in oversteer.
  • 10.2 Steering must be by mechanical linkages only.
  • 10.3 Steering must be by front wheels only.
• 11. Electrics
  • 11.1 The motor can be controlled by a simple On/Off or speed controller method. This must be spring loaded to the Off position.
  • 11.2 A fused link/cut-out must be in place in the main power circuit, rated between 60 and 100 amps.
  • 11.3 Battery isolator(s) must be fitted as specified in regulation 9.3.
  • 11.4 All wires on the vehicle must be neatly run and secured away from moving parts, and be rated correctly.
• 12. Other Features
  • 12.1 Before arrival at the event, vehicles must display their number for the event. These will be black numbers on a white circular background, of minimum 250mm diameter, located on the front and midway down both sides of the vehicle.
  • 12.2 The vehicle must be smartly decorated and can carry advertising/sponsors logos.
  • 12.3 LIFTING POINTS must be clearly marked for use by recovery marshals.
  • 12.4 FIXING POINTS should also be clearly marked for tying down vehicles on recovery trailers.
• 13. Driver Regulations
  • 13.1 Drivers must be in further education, and aged 16-21 years (inclusive).
  • 13.2 Drivers must wear a suitable motor cycle or motor racing specification crash helmet whilst driving. This must be full-face (i.e. include chin protection).
  • 13.3 If the crash helmet does not have a visor, goggles must be worn.
  • 13.4 Sensible full overalls or protective clothing must be used whilst driving. Paper overalls are not acceptable.
  • 13.5 Hands must be protected by, preferably leather, gloves.
  • 13.6 Drivers must be fully conversant with the Drivers Regulations for the event.
  • 13.7 Drivers must always bring with them to events their up to date drivers log book.
• 14. Logbooks
  • 14.1 Each team already has or will be issued with a vehicle logbook on Confirmation of Entry. This must be brought to scrutineering at every event. Any Scrutineer’s requirements must be completed before your next event; otherwise the vehicle will not be allowed to participate.
  • 14.2 All drivers will carry with them their own logbook issued by Greenpower. They will be responsible for keeping it up to date, and its safekeeping.
• 15. Team Regulations
  • 15.1 Any number of drivers may be used during a race. Individual drivers may be nominated for a drivers’ championship.
  • 15.2 There will be a maximum of six further team members acting as mechanics and pit crew, who may support more than one vehicle in a multi-vehicle team.
  • 15.3 Two persons must be designated as battery handlers, and no other team members will be allowed into the race Battery Quarantine Area. However, they can be responsible for more than one team.
  • 15.4 Any team members handling batteries must wear stout footwear, ideally with toe protection.
  • 15.5 All team members must be clearly identifiable by their clothing.
  • 15.6 The team must have a name which will be registered at the start of the season on the Entry Confirmation Form, and cannot be changed. In the event of a name not being given then Greenpower will issue one.