The countdown is on as Hull prepares to host the UK’s first closed road electric car event.
The Hull Street Race will see teams of young people from across the Humber race around the city.
More than 55 single-seat electric kit cars, built from scratch by the teams, will race around a circuit on Sunday 28 April at 11am.
Watch a video of the drivers preparing for the race below:
The cars have been supplied to primary schools, secondary schools, colleges and community groups by Greenpower Education Trust, a charity that encourages young people to consider a career in the STEM subjects of science, technology, engineering and maths to help address a shortage of engineers in the UK.
Team Dynamite, a group of students from Hull Training and Adult Education, have been putting their mechanical skills to the test with the Greenpower project. For 16-year-old Aidan Dalo, the build is furthering his passion for motorsports. Since the age of 13, he has raced go-karts with his brother.
He said: “As someone studying mechanics, it’s been interesting to learn more about the mechanisms, parts and functions of an electric car through a real-life project. My go-karting experience meant I had some knowledge of aerodynamics, so it was great to be able to expand this and apply it to our car.
Aidan Dalo, 16, puts his mechanical skills to the test.
“It’s always been my dream to work with cars and I’m aiming to secure a related apprenticeship when I leave Hull Training and Adult Education. The project has helped me improve my communication and teamwork skills. I’ve never done anything like this before, so learning how to work with others and co-ordinate a project is valuable for my next steps towards a career.”
The city centre will also host a number of STEM events on Sunday 28 April, from 8.30am to 4pm.
The University of Hull will run an Inspiration Zone, with a variety of science-based activities. People can explore the planet’s environmental issues with virtual reality demos, discover the latest robotics innovations, try out software programming and have a go on a bespoke racing simulator.
Greenpower’s 20th Anniversary Exhibition will be held at Hull College, along with a live broadcast of the race on a big screen and a street food market. The Yorkshire EV Club will be at the college to showcase the new Audi E-Tron electric vehicle.
Councillor Stephen Brady, leader of Hull City Council, said: “The Hull Street Race is a fantastic way to enhance the futures of young people in Hull by directing them into careers in science, technology, engineering and maths.
“Hull City Council is proud to support the efforts made by both Greenpower Education Trust and Green Port Hull in organising this unique event.”
Green Port Hull, which is supported by the Regional Growth Fund, has provided funding for five IET Formula 24+ cars. It has also enhanced business engagement with schools and colleges and facilitated the race event.
The Humber project is supported by major employers within the region including Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy, the University of Hull, Hull College, Phillips 66, Drax, Yorkshire Water, Jelf, Kardomah 94 and RS Components.
Get more information on the Hull Street Race here.
