YEAR 12 students from The Leigh Technology Academy in Green Street Green Road, Dartford are designing and manufacturing their own race car as part of their A-Level engineering course.

One group who have called themselves The Leigh Stormers, will be competing in the Greenpower Formula 24 racing competition.

Team member Adam White says they still have a long to go before the car will be ready to race.

The 16-year-old said: “So far there is a lot of work that needs to be done.

“The car was used by a previous group of Year 12 students who took part in the competition last year, but we are completely rebuilding it.

“We have stripped it down to its frame and wheels and have drawn up a new design.

“We now have to get to work building it.”

The rest of the group include 16-year-old James Young, Jack Downey,16 and Sam Titchner, 16.

Steve Leahey, director of learning for design and technology at the academy said: “There are six other groups of Year 12 students also taking part in the challenge.

“We entered the competition for the first time last year and managed to get two cars into the final.”

The teams will take part in regional heats, which will involve racing the cars at a number of different venues across the county.

The top three winners of each heat will then qualify to take part in the national final, which will take place at the Goodwood Motor Circuit in Sussex in October.

The students are preparing for the first big race of the season at the Goodwood Motor Circuit on April 26.

The Greenpower organisation has been running the competition since 1999, and it is open to all school, colleges and universities across the country.

Adam who hopes to study engineering at University says that competing in the competition is very hard work.

He said: “We have to source most of our parts from outside school, which costs a considerable sum of money.

“We have been approaching local businesses to ask for their support and sponsorship, so far a few companies have agreed to help us out.”

On Tuesday (JANUARY 27) the college held an open evening, inviting local businesses and friends and family of the students to come along and take a look at their work so far.

On February 27 Paul Drayson, government minister for science and innovation will also be visiting the academy to chat to the students.