TOPEKA, Kan. (Nov. 5, 2015) – The Sports Car Club of America has pledged its support of GreenpowerUSA, a program aimed at getting school-aged children interested in S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) subjects by using motorsports competition. To get a first-hand look at the program, Lisa Noble, SCCA President and CEO, and Robert Clarke, SCCA Vice President, Business Development, and President, SCCA Pro Racing, were on hand for the most recent GreenpowerUSA competition, Oct. 31, in Huntsville, Alabama.
Members of the Tennessee Valley Region performed a myriad of event logistics support. From marshalling to the course, to tech inspection, SCCA members provided assistance to the student teams as they pushed their home-built cars through the stages of competition.
“We’re honored and appreciate for the support SCCA has provided,” Andy Bernard, Vice President of Race Production and Operations, said. “GreenpowerUSA will be able to grow because of the SCCA and its extensive knowledge and member base. Region members from around the country sharing their knowledge with students around the country will be invaluable. In addition, SCCA has been pivotal in helping with the safety and scrutineering aspect of the event. With a focus on safety, and capitalizing on the excitement of the students, we are looking to move this program forward.”
Students who take part in GreenpowerUSA competitions are required compete in electric powered vehicle of their own making. Each team is provided a basic kit of parts to construct the racecar, with each class allowing for different enhancements to be added.
The program is broken into three classes, based on age. The Goblin class, which includes students from ages nine to 11, features cars that top out at 15 m.p.h. These teams compete in acceleration/straight-line tests, a slalom course and a five-lap run on an oval course.
The next step is the Formula 24 class, which is broken up into two sub-categories. The intermediate category is for students from 12 to 14 years old, while the advanced category is for ages 14 to 18. Essentially this splits the class into middle school- and high school-aged students. The top speed for cars in this class is roughly 30 m.p.h., while they can average 20 m.p.h. over the span of a 90-minute race.
Formula 24+ is designed for students from 16 to 24 years old. This group is for the advanced high school and college student. These teams use the same basic kit as the Formula 24 class, but are allowed to add pieces, like bodywork, and can design their car in such a way to allow battery changes during the competition. These machines are capable of 40 m.p.h., but were not in competition at the Huntsville event. The team that traveled to England and finished in the top-10 had their car on display down in Alabama.
One of the benefits of this program is that it allows students to put their book knowledge to the test in a hands-on way. Students not only build the racecars, but drive and work on the cars during the competition. In addition, some students are tasked with promoting the activities of their team. This gives students a holistic perspective of what it takes to run a motorsports enterprise. In addition, it allows students with a diverse background the opportunity to take part in the program.
Currently, the program based in Huntsville is the pilot program for the United States. New construction at the Huntsville competition site included access roads and parking lots that double as the track for Greenpower competitions. The program has gotten such a positive response from education officials that some schools are considering building racetracks into their facilities.
That is the case at Whitesburg Middle School, the location of the first purpose-built track for Greenpower competition. During the opening ceremonies, Noble spoke to the assembled crowd thinking them for their support. The Goblin-classed cars completed their competition tests, and then the larger Formula 24 class took to the full race course for a 30-minute qualifying period. The event was capped off with a 90-minute Formula 24 race that Noble started by waving the green flag.
For most of the race, the top two teams ran nose-to-tail. When time expired the victory was decided by less than one second as the pass for the lead was completed on the penultimate corner. Following the race, the students were very excited about the competition regardless of their finishing position.
“Creating a new generation of those interested in science and engineering is vital to the long-term health of our Club,” Noble said. “By using motorsports, GreenpowerUSA is capitalizing on the fun and camaraderie of racing. As a leader in amateur motorsports, it is our responsibility to help further programs that will ensure the long-term health of technology and motorsport in the United States. We are honored with the opportunity to lend our expertise in event management to help GreenpowerUSA become a stronger force in education.”
For additional information on the GreenpowerUSA program, visit Greenpowerusa.net. Additional information on the Sports Car Club of America and be found at SCCA.com.
Image: Students push their custom-built electric cars to the maximum.
Credit: Jon Krolewicz
