A number of years ago I was approached by a local Technology & Design teacher, David Ackroyd, (brother of John Ackroyd, the Thrust SSC designer) seeking sponsorship to build a Gravity Soapbox race kart; the objective was to encourage students into engineering.
Along with other local companies, I duly obliged and the result was the “Nimbus”, rather generously, named after my own business, which, when it wasn’t out racing or at school, we proudly displayed in our reception.
The kart went onto gain sponsorship from Vauxhall Motors, was raced at Goodwood, featured on C5 “The Gadget Show” and shown across the UK gaining, along the way, the land speed record of over 100kmph at Eastborne, a record still held today.
I caught sight of the local news recently and delighted that David’s idea has flourished, his partner suppliers has grown and the number of schools now involved exceeds over 200.
I grew up surrounded by boxes of Meccano and the sounds of Mothers exclamations as she hoovered up yet another set of misplaced screws from the carpet.
Today my love of all things mechanical and engineering based is undiminished and from a commercial and economic point I see the need for engineering and manufacturing support with equal passion.
If your local school or perhaps your own business, would like to get involved, then I’m sure that David would be delighted to hear from you.
Links here:
http://www.formulagravity.co.uk/speed_record.html
http://www.formulagravity.co.uk/
Have a great weekend!
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