Lunar Racing is an educational racing team, founded by
school teacher Paul Kneeshaw. Lunar Racing is made possible
by the dedication of its volunteer workers and the generous
support from its private sponsors. Lunar racing is
not supported by government funds, although it is recognised
by the LEA.
Background
Motorsport is an excellent educational tool. It
can be easily linked to all aspects of the curriculum and can
be used to give real world relevance to subjects, which to many
students, appear unnecessary. More importantly, it can be used
to give a sense of achievement and confidence to students who
feel that education has overlooked them. It can also be a source
of pride for the whole school.
Project Outline
The project is separated into four departments:
+ Car technical preparation and race
weekend support
+ Fuel production
+ Suspension, steering and tyres.
+ Communications
Car Technical Team
This will be made up of students wishing to gain
qualifications in vehicle maintenance. During the first year of
the project the students will be using a Hornet Kit-Car and a
Formula Ford. In the future, Paul Kneeshaw will introduce an MG
ZS touring car into the fleet.
A scheme of work will be written to allow the students
to follow the City & Guilds 3901 award. This is a QCA accredited
award, which is aimed at a wide learner group and is especially
appropriate for 14-16 year olds for whom a traditional examination
may not be appropriate. Successful learners could progress to
an NVQ in Vehicle Fitting, Vehicle Maintenance and Repair, Motor
Vehicle Body and Paint Operations, Motor Vehicle Roadside Assistance
and Recovery, or a Progression Award in Automotive Vehicle Servicing
and Repair.
The award is composed of ten units; engine lubrication,
engine cooling, fuel and exhaust systems, spark ignition systems,
braking systems, transmission systems, steering and suspension
systems, and body and interior cleaning.
The teaching of this course will take place in the school using
a mobile pit area. This allows the project to visit other interested
schools and ensures a safe and professional working environment
at race weekends and test days.
Fuel Production
Working closely with British Sugar, a bio-ethanol
production facility will be constructed at the school. This will
give the students hands-on experience in the manufacture of the
bio-ethanol.
A scheme of work will be written to allow the students
to complete the Food Science component of the AQA Additional Applied
Science (4683). Although the course is based on the production
of food, the processes are the same. This component of the course
focuses on the “use of scientific knowledge to study foods
and food components, either for research purposes or in a manufacturing
industry” and the use of science to “analyze food
product quality and safety, creating new food products and investigating
new manufacturing methods.” The students are required to
carry out one investigation which relates to food or components
that may be found in food or food supplements. In our case the
students would investigate bio-ethanol production and how different
factors affect the performance of the engine.
Suspension, Steering
and Tyres
Working closely with tyre manufacturers and AVO
Shock Absorbers, the students will examine the effects of tyre
air pressures, materials and tread patterns on the level of grip.
A scheme of work will be written to allow the students
to complete the Sports Science component of the AQA Additional
Applied Science (4683). This component of the course focuses on
the work of “sports and materials scientists” who,
when developing new materials will “investigate the properties
of new materials and the forces that act on these materials as
an athlete competes at the highest level. Scientists need to choose
the best materials for the job, so must think about which properties
are needed and which materials have the most suitable properties.”
The students are required to carry out one investigation on “the
appropriateness of materials that could be used in sport for a
particular purpose, such as an investigation of grip or wear of
different materials.”
Communications
Working closely with the Communications department
of British Sugar and motorsport web site, MSportUK, Business
Studies students will write press releases to keep project sponsors,
supporters and the general public up-to-date on this exciting
project.
