Following their previous outing at Goodwood, the team headed to Dunsfold with no major changes to either car, although Dame Betty had been fitted with an altered sprocket which the team were keen to trial during the first race.

As a new venue for the competition, Dunsfold presented a fresh challenge for both drivers and team members. The circuit was considerably shorter than those at Goodwood and Castle Combe and featured three tight corners for the drivers to negotiate. The more compact layout did have one advantage for those watching from the sidelines, however, with the teams able to follow the progress of their cars around the entire circuit.

Before racing could begin, team members worked brilliantly together to prepare both cars, successfully passing scrutineering without any queries and getting everything ready for their first opportunity to take on the new track.

Conditions proved challenging throughout the day. A wet start gave way to drier weather for Race 1, before the rain returned in earnest for Race 2. Despite the conditions, our pupils – together with the fantastic parents and grandparents supporting them – kept spirits high and the cars racing.

Both St Gabs and Dame Betty put in determined performances across the two races. In Race 1, St Gabs completed 36 laps to finish 32nd out of 53 cars, with Alexandra K recording the car’s fastest lap of 2:16. Dame Betty completed 33 laps to finish 37th, with Ralph O setting an impressive fastest lap of 2:00.

As the rain set in for Race 2, St Gabs completed 31 laps and finished 31st, with Jack G recording a best lap of 2:18. Dame Betty enjoyed a particularly strong second race, climbing to 26th place after completing 32 laps, with Henry W setting the car’s fastest lap of 2:15.

There was also a standout performance during practice from Henry C-S, who recorded an outstanding 1:51 lap in Dame Betty – a fantastic achievement on his first experience of the Dunsfold circuit.

Greenpower is about much more than the results on the track. From engineering and problem-solving to teamwork, strategy and resilience, each race gives our pupils the opportunity to put their skills into practice, respond to new challenges and learn more about the performance of their cars. Dunsfold certainly provided plenty of opportunities to do just that!

A huge thank you goes to all the family members who braved the weather to support our pupils throughout the day, and particularly to our fantastic team helpers, Ashley Williams and Paul Vaughan, for once again giving their time and expertise.

Congratulations to all 24 members of the team on another successful day of Greenpower racing. We look forward to seeing where the season takes them next!