A BUDDING race engineer is hoping to improve his school’s fortunes in a prestigious competition using skills he has learnt in motorsport.
Richmond sixth former Charlie Knox secured invaluable work experience with Track Speed Porsche in last year’s GT3 competition.
As part of his A Level product design studies he has now been charged with creating a kart for the annual Green Power contest to be staged at Croft Circuit on July 7.
Last year Richmond School and Sixth Form won the standard kit car category but was placed 11th overall.
Charlie, of Richmond, has been working with experts Bill Cross, Doug Cartwright and Victoria Garth from Cummins Engines, Darlington, Andy Fisher of Newton Aycliffe-based Fab Shop Ltd and school DT teachers Tom Braham and Tristan Bainbridge, to produce a race-winning car.
The 17-year-old has already designed an aluminium frame that is a fraction of the weight of the standard kit’s 26kg.
He also plans to work on aerodynamic bodywork complete with Richmond School livery, which by coincidence is the same red and black branding as Cummins.
On race day the electric car will have to reach speeds of around 30mph and compete in a 90-minute competition and a 70 mile endurance.
The school will have to pull together a pit-crew of technicians and find the best drivers; it is already looking at Year 7 and 8 pupils who are currently involved in rally-cross and karting.
Charlie hopes to study mechanical engineering at university with the aim of working in motorsport one day.
He said: “I have grown up with motorsport. Both my uncles are motoring journalists and my mum works at Croft. I have always been surrounded by nice cars and was very lucky to get in with a GT3 team.
“I definitely want to pursue a career in motor sport engineering and the dream job would be with McLaren.”
Mr Braham said: “The renewable energy race competition is a brilliant way of getting young people involved in engineering as it shows them the relevancy of their school work and the opportunities available to them.”
Mr Bainbridge added: “Charlie has done some brilliant work. He even made a jig to support the new frame to help the fabricators. He has a very bright future ahead of him.”
