The team ‘Speed Stingers’, comprising Junior 4’s Jimmy Loftus, Soren Wasley, Zach Rose and Cadie Hardwick, had been fiendishly busy working hard to prepare for the big day.

The challenge requires teams to research, design, manufacture, test, promote and race the fastest car possible using standard chassis and engine housing nets with a car body made only from card. It is a technical brief but one that has proven to really engage potential future engineers.

As soon as they parked up at Princethorpe College the team leapt into action setting up their pit display. Crackley’s team boards and table displays looked smart and professional. Bright colours and eye-catching graphics told the visual story of their journey so far.

After a welcome from Mr Hester, Headmaster at Princethorpe College, they were on to their first task, the Engineering judging where the team were examined on their car design and manufacturing process. The team then got quickly working on the Additional Challenge, which they were set on the day, a Design Technology Challenge to manufacture a display stand and carry case for their racing car. The focus of the exercise was once again to test the team’s ability to work together, delegate, design and manufacture.

After a swift break for lunch the team gave their five minute verbal presentation. The judges were looking at technique, composition and knowledge of subject matter.

And then finally it was time to get down to the serious business of racing. This was, after all, what the whole challenge has been about. Team Speed Stingers carefully set up their car for a head-to-head down the race track and prepared themselves quietly and calmly for the competition. The cardboard Formula One cars flew down the track recording lightning-quick times. In a matter of seconds, it was all over.

Standards had been incredibly high and after a day’s worth of demonstration, presentations and racing the judges got down to their deliberations and analysing the scores.

Speed Stingers waited calmly but confidently, they knew it would be a close call but when the results were announced they could hardly believe it. Not only had they won the award for 'Best Engineered Car', they had also won 'Best Additional Challenge', 'Best Portfolio and Pit Display' and best of all the team had taken first place overall and had only gone and earned themselves a place in the National Finals at the british Motor Museum in June.

Mrs Hardwick and Mrs Spillane who helped guide the Crackley Hall team were jubilant, “What an amazing day. Our Crackley Hall pupils have worked so hard. They’ve dealt with the pressure of competition brilliantly and we are so very proud of them.”

Thanks must also go to the team's sponsors Laser Tools, Windshear, Chapter Agency and MTC (The Manufacturing Technology Centre), and of course the children’s parents. We are very grateful for all your support.