Home » Blog » News » Dalbeattie Finish Runners-Up in National Model Car Title Race
19 June 2008 | Posted in News
Reigning champions Dalbeattie High School were dethroned in the Formula Schools Model Car Championship at Silverstone last week (Thursday 12 June) but netted the next best placing.
The school’s model car was based on the Audi R10 TDI sportscar that Dumfries-born Allan McNish drove to victory in the Le Mans 24 Hours last weekend (14-15 June) but it encountered mechanical issues in the second of three races at the famous Northamptonshire motor racing venue.
The setback cost the DBT McNish Racing Team almost certain victory but a second victory, combined with claiming the “bodyshell and aerodynamic” category, earned them the runners-up spot.
Project manager and the school’s Design & Technology teacher, Ron Orr, commented: “The students were obviously disappointed at not retaining the National title and to be not taking home the big trophy to Scotland.
“We’d won the first race but a glow-plug malfunctioned at the start of the second race and the car wouldn’t start. It was replaced for the third race and we went back out and won it.
“It’s a shame but second place is still a massive achievement and it gives us something to aim at for next year.”
The DBT McNish Racing Team entry was powered by a 3.5cc diesel engine – running on bio-fuel – and was capable of reaching almost 30mph – a scale speed of 320mph.
The DBT McNish Racing team comprised of Suzie Clark, Fern Davidson, Pascale Le Grice, Alister Hunter, Sarah Joyce, Rebecca Kelly, Ross Kennedy, Chris McLelland, Cameron Roberts, Alex Sweet and Katy Watt.
Over 100 schools from throughout the UK converged on Silverstone near Northampton. The competition involved the design and building of a 1/8th scale petrol-powered model car. Additional points were awarded for presentation, team work and the engineering qualities of the model car.
Scottish Motor Racing Club President McNish, 38, was immediately informed of the result at Le Mans via telephone.
McNish commented: “Dalbeattie High School has again finished on the podium at the British Formula Schools Model Car Championship. They finished second overall this year but obviously all the work with their newly-built wind tunnel came to fantastic effect because they won the Aerodynamics award and Bodyshell award and the pupils must be extremely proud of the fact that they have represented their country never mind their school in such a fantastic way.
“There is only one school in Scotland competing in Formula Schools and in its two years of competition, Dalbeattie has finished first and second and that is fantastic. David Leslie Senior, father of David Junior who was tragically killed in a ‘plane accident earlier this year, spent the day at Silverstone cheering on the students.”
Add to Digg 
Save in De.li.cious
No comments to display - be the first to comment »
