A phone call from the BBC enquiring if we would support
the making of a TV programme was the start of an intense
two weeks. The phone call was from producers making a
programme starring James May, the Top Gear presenter.
Called "James May's Big Sister's Toys", the programme
involved James researching into some of his sister's toys
from around thirty years ago which are still popular today.
One was a Silver Cross Pram.
These prams have been around a century and their wheels
and chassis were the main part of bogies built by
youngsters in the 70's and on. To make it interesting, we
were set the challenge of building a bogie, now known as a
go-kart, using a brand new pram from Silver Cross. To
make it even more interesting, the BBC asked Ermysted's
boys to build a challenger and the race was on. The girls
worked flat out including the weekend cutting, hammering,
bending, drilling, welding and finally painting until the go-kart
was off the production line all within two weeks. And
what a result - the go-kart looked smooth, sleek and ready
to roll.
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James inspects the finished go-kart with our team
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On arriving at the race site, a further twist awaited the girls.
The BBC had commissioned the Silver Cross engineers to
build a bogie for James May to race in. His go-kart looked
really professional, in the shape of a car, green and with
suspension. All looked suddenly bleak for the boys and
girls.
Not to be intimidated, the girls went first in the time
trials. Racing down the hill, our girls' machine went like
lightning. Its aerodynamically streamlined body and
ergonomically designed cockpit and steering mechanism
ensured an effortless ride, producing a time which would be
hard to match. Next came James May hurtling down the
track, cornering on two wheels in true Top Gear style and
over the finish line to rapturous applause and cheers. 'But
was the time fast enough to beat the girls?' Next came the
boys, tearing down the track, machine and driver clinging
on for dear life when all of a sudden a broken wheel brought
them to a premature stop. The girls had won the day with the
quickest average time.
Greenpower 08 Update
In November, 11 students from the school's
Greenpower electric racing team presented to a large
group of apprentices, engineers and managers at the Rolls
Royce factory in Barnoldswick. The group were
re-establishing the relationship we had with RR over the last four years regarding the Ford Greenpower project.
One of the new aims for the 2008 season is to continue the
development a new car and to further develop the existing vehicle.
The students' presentation went very well and lots of support
and expertise was offered. We are very much looking
forward to working alongside RR as well as Cinetic Landis grinding
throughout this season.
The image below shows the chassis of the new vehicle
(still without a name...any suggestions?) . This was constructed
in partnership with Cinetic Landis Grinding and has been under
development at their factory for a number of months. We
are very pleased with its lightweight, monocoque design. The help
and support we received was excellent and the students
learned a lot.
The team are now concentrating on the steering and drive systems.
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