Holy Cross wins Uckfield Grand Prix as race features on TV for the first time
Bellbrook Park industrial estate resembled a scene from Whacky Races on Sunday 16th July as more than 200 children from 18 schools took part in the 15th Uckfield Grand Prix in the TR Fastenings (TR) car park.
The grand final of the annual eco-car championship was won by a team from Holy Cross CE Primary School after three hours of thrilling races. Organized by the Uckfield Rotary Club and Uckfield Community Technology College (UCTC), it is the only kit car race in the UK for children to drive side by side in a grand prix style. In a first for the event, the races were filmed for a segment on ITV Meridian news, which was aired on Sunday evening.
Hundreds of spectators cheered the young drivers round a brand new course this year after TR expanded its already vast car park. With a top speed of 15mph, the 24-volt electric-powered Greenpower Goblin kit cars were built from scratch by teams of Year 5 and 6 pupils, along with help from friends, family and teachers. Each car was uniquely decorated, with designs ranging from stars and Silverstone to cows and cartoon characters.
The event, which has been running since 2003, aims to teach children a broad range of skills from mechanical engineering to teamwork and creativity. It is the culmination of the week-long Uckfield Festival.
There were 12 heats and 6 finals, with drivers swapping over after two laps in the style of Le Mans. Holy Cross were the overall winners, and other prizes were awarded for design, presentation and sportsmanship. The team from Cuckmere House School in Seaford was awarded a framed 'Bloodhound SSC' poster signed by the world land speed record holder Andy Green for the quality of its build portfolio.
Harlands primary in Uckfield was awarded with a prize for the best presented team and car for using solar charging and recycled drinks bottles. The Buxted team was awarded best design work for its amazing mechanical hare design, and Manor were rewarded for suffering terribly bad luck with stoicism and good humour.
Geoff Budd, TR’s European MD, comments: “The Uckfield Grand Prix is always a brilliant occasion and this year was no exception. It was a pleasure to welcome so many committed schoolchildren and their supporters to the new track last Sunday, and the presence of the TV crew added extra excitement. With weeks of building and designing the kit cars leading up to the big race, the whole project is a unique learning experience, and one that champions engineering as well as the environment. Congratulations to all the talented pupils who made it such as success.”
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TR Fastenings to host annual Uckfield Grand Prix at Bellbrook Park industrial estate
TR Fastenings (TR) is hosting the 15th Uckfield Grand Prix featuring over 150 local schoolchildren in its car park on Sunday 16th July 2017. Organised jointly by the Uckfield Rotary Club and Uckfield Community Technical College, it is a major highlight of the Uckfield Festival which is running from the 7th-16th July.
This is the only race in the UK to feature kit cars being driven side by side by children in a grand prix style competition.
The race, which was first held at TR in 2003, will take participants around a brand new course this year, due to the expansion of TR’s already vast car park in the Bellbrook Park industrial estate. The modified route adds 25 metres to the race, increasing its length by 15%. Year 5 and 6 pupils from 18 local primary schools are taking part, with the first race starting at 1pm and prizes being awarded at 4pm.
The 24 volt electric-powered Greenpower Goblin kit cars, which have a top speed of 15 mph, must be built from scratch by the pupils themselves, with help from family, friends and teachers. The event aims to teach the children a range of skills, from mechanical engineering knowledge to team building and design. It’s important for the cars to look good as well as performing brilliantly, so the pupils also get the chance to showcase their artistic skills and decorate the cars any way they please. Each team chooses a theme for their design, with many drivers choosing to dress up to complete the look. The cars are paraded to spectators before the race and there is an additional prize for the best theme, with the winners taking home a signed photograph from the driver of the famous Bloodhound supersonic car.
Each team races in two heats and a final each and every team receives a certificate for taking part. Races consist of 12 laps with six drivers who swap over after 2 laps each in the style of Le Mans. This pit stop change is a big highlight of the race and can prove the difference between the winning team and the runners up. With over 1000 spectators expected, it’s a fun occasion including a food area on site serving hot food, drinks and ice cream.
Mark Belton, CEO of TR’s parent company Trifast Plc, comments: “The Uckfield Grand Prix is a fabulous tradition and one which we are so thrilled to support each year. As well as providing great excitement for the children involved, the whole experience teaches them valuable skills in design, engineering and working together, qualities which we value highly at TR. Now that our car park is even bigger, the drivers have a great new course to get to grips with and we look forward to cheering them all on when the chequered flag is waved on Sunday.”
TR Fastenings Hosts 14th Annual Uckfield Grand Prix - Results
TR Fastenings would like to offer its congratulations to Rocks Park Primary School in Uckfield who are the winners of the 2016 Uckfield Grand Prix.
Held on Sunday 17th July, the crowds turned out and so did the sun and everyone enjoyed an excellent and exciting day of racing around TR's car park.
TR also provided public toilets for the event. Those who used them were very relieved!
Photo provided by Ron Hill Photographic
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TR Fastenings Hosts 14th Annual Uckfield Grand Prix
TR Fastenings is delighted to once again host the Annual Uckfield Grand Prix in its Bellbrook Estate car park on Sunday 17th July 2016. Organised jointly by the Uckfield Rotary Club and Uckfield Community Technical College, it is one of the major highlights of the Uckfield Festival which runs from 8th-17th July.
The vast TR car park will be transformed into a racing track and 18 local schools will participate in this fast-paced competition complete with chequered flag, winning podiums, cups and prizes. The Grand Prix warm up starts at 11am with race start at 12 noon.
The 24 volt electric-powered Greenpower Goblin kit cars are built by the children and are designed specifically to offer Year 5 and Year 6 pupils a chance to be involved in a simple, practical engineering project that embraces many relevant aspects of science and technology in a fun and exciting way. It is also a great opportunity for the pupils to demonstrate their impressive creative talents, with car designs ranging from ‘The Flintstones’ to a Chinese dragonfly!
Each car races in two heats with each heat comprising a 12 lap relay race with six drivers. At the end of the 10 heats the cars are ranked on points and then go forward to one of five finals. The ultimate final consists of the top four cars and teams followed by the presentation of cups and prizes at 4.00pm.
TR Fastenings uses its expertise to manufacture and supply fastenings to a number of different industry sectors, employing over 1,000 people globally. Customers range from blue-chip multi nationals to local residents.
Malcolm Diamond, Executive Chairman at TR Fastenings, commented: “The Uckfield Grand Prix is a very popular event in the Uckfield Festival and one which TR is always delighted to support. It’s great that our car park can be used to benefit the local children; providing a fantastic opportunity to combine teamwork and engineering into one. Best of luck to all the drivers!”
UPDATE - TR Fastenings' Hosts Electric Car Grand Prix in Uckfield Festival 2015
TR Fastenings would like to offer its congratulations to Rocks Park Primary School in Uckfield who are the winners of the 2015 Uckfield Grand Prix.
It was a great day of racing, in spite of inclement weather conditions and well done to all the schools who took part.TR Fastenings' Hosts Electric Car Grand Prix in Uckfield Festival 2015
The leading global manufacturer and distributor of industrial nuts, bolts and screws, TR Fastenings, will once again host the 13th Annual Uckfield Grand Prix in its Bellbrook Estate car park on Sunday 12th July 2015.
The vast car park will be transformed into a racing track featuring 20 local schools with teams of around 12 pupils, making a total of up to 250 local pupils participating in a fast paced competition with chequered flag, winning podiums, cups and prizes. The Grand Prix warm up starts at 11am with race start at 12 noon.
The 24 volt electric-powered Greenpower Goblin kit cars are built by the children and are designed specifically to offer Year 5 and Year 6 pupils a chance to be involved in a simple, practical engineering project that embraces many relevant aspects of science and technology in a fun and exciting way. It is also a great opportunity for the pupils to demonstrate their impressive creative talents, with car designs ranging from ‘The Flintstones’ to a Chinese dragonfly!
Each car races in two heats with each heat comprising a 12 lap relay race with six drivers. At the end of the 10 heats the cars are ranked on points and then go forward to one of five finals. The ultimate final consists of the top four cars and teams followed by the presentation of cups and prizes at 4.30pm.
TR Fastenings uses its expertise to manufacture and supply fastenings to a number of different industry sectors, employing over 1,000 people globally.
Malcolm Diamond, Executive Chairman at TR Fastenings, commented: “The Uckfield Grand Prix is hugely anticipated each year and is a very popular event in The Uckfield Festival which TR is always delighted to support. It’s great that our car park can be used to benefit the local children, providing a fantastic opportunity to combine teamwork and engineering into one. Best of luck to all the drivers!”
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- The Argus - 'Youngster tear up the trand at mini Grand Prix' - 13.07.15
- Uckfield News - 'Out come umbrellas for the Uckfield Grand Prix' - 12.07.15
- Uckfield FM - 'Uckfield Electric Car Grand Prix - supported by Uckfield Rotary Club and TR Fastenings' - 12.07.15
- Uckfield FM - '13th Annual Uckfield Grand Prix this Sunday' - 10.07.15
2014
TR Fastenings Warms Up for Uckfield Electric Car Grand Prix
TR Fastenings, the leading global manufacturer and distributor of industrial fastenings, will host the 12th Annual Uckfield Grand Prix in the car park of its head offices on Sunday 13th July 2014.
The TR Fastenings’ car park will be transformed into a mini racing track, with chequered flag, winning podiums, cups and prizes, and the event will feature 20 teams of children from 19 primary schools competing in an afternoon of wheel-to-wheel racing.
The 24 volt electric-powered Greenpower Goblin kit cars are built by the children and are designed specifically to offer Year 5 and Year 6 pupils a chance to be involved in a simple, practical engineering project that embraces many relevant aspects of science and technology in a fun and exciting way. It is also a great opportunity for the pupils to demonstrate their impressive creative talents, with car designs ranging from ‘The Flintstones’ to a Chinese dragonfly!
The Grand Prix starts at 11am at TR Fastenings’ car park at the Bellbrook Estate, Uckfield. Each car races in two heats with each heat comprising a 12 lap relay race with six drivers. At the end of the 10 heats the cars are ranked on points and then go forward to one of five finals. The ultimate final consists of the top four cars and teams followed by the presentation of cups and prizes at 4.30pm.
TR Fastenings uses its expertise to manufacture and supply fastenings to a number of different industry sectors. They employ over 1,000 people globally and customers range from blue-chip multi nationals to local residents and companies who make use of TR’s popular trade counters.
Malcolm Diamond, Executive Chairman at TR Fastenings, commented: “Once again, we are delighted to host the Uckfield Grand Prix. This exhilarating and enjoyable event provides a fantastic opportunity to introduce children to teamwork and engineering and we wish all the competitors the best of luck!”
It was ‘Go Go Go’ yesterday (13 July) at TR Fastenings when over 1,000 spectators gathered to watch the 2014 Uckfield Grand Prix, a standout event of the Uckfield Festival. Twenty-one teams from East Sussex primary schools battled it out in their colourful go-karts on the specially-designed course on TR’s car park, and the overall winner was Rocks Park School in Uckfield.
TR staff were on hand with refreshments to keep the spectators cool, and Colin Cornford, one of the event organisers, commented: “It has been another super year for the Uckfield Grand Prix and we saw some impressive driving by the youngsters. Many thanks once to TR Fastenings for generously providing their car park as the race track.”
Related Articles:
Uckfield News – “More than 1,000 people watch Uckfield Grand Prix” – 15 July 14
2013
Newick wins the Uckfield Grand Prix 2013
About 1,000 people gathered to watch the Uckfield Grand Prix on Sunday 14th July as 22 teams of children from 20 primary schools competed in cars they built themselves.
Newick, pictured above (last picture), were the winners following a final involving them and three other teams from Rocks Park, Newick, Little Horsted and Hartfield. Runners up were Little Horsted and Rocks Park were third.
Winners of the Best Dressed Car were the Rocks Park team who chose a Bugsy Malone style. Buxted won the award for the best paddock display.
The grand prix was held in the TR Fastenings car park on the Bellbrooke Estate, Uckfield. Each car raced in two heats with each heat comprising a 12 lap relay race with six drivers. At the end of the ten heats the cars were ranked on points and went forward to one of five finals before the top four cars competed in the ultimate final.
Prizes were presented by Geoff Davies, president of Uckfield Rotary Club and Geoff Evans, deputy principal of Uckfield Community Technology College.
Colin Cornford, one of the organisers, said: “It was a super day and congratulations to all the teams who took part, to Rory O’Connor and UCTC for all their hard work and to TR Fastenings for hosting the event.”
TR Fastenings Laps Up Uckfield Grand Prix 2013
TR Fastenings, the leading global manufacturer and distributor of industrial fastenings, will host the 11th Annual Uckfield Grand Prix in the car park of its head offices on Sunday 14th July 2013.
The TR Fastenings’ car park will be transformed into a mini racing track, with chequered flag, winning podiums, cups and prizes, and the event will feature 20 teams of children from 19 primary schools competing in an afternoon of wheel-to-wheel racing.
The 24 volt electric-powered Greenpower Goblin kit cars are built by the children and are designed specifically to offer Year 5 and Year 6 pupils a chance to be involved in a simple, practical engineering project that embraces many relevant aspects of science and technology in a fun and exciting way. It is also a great opportunity for the pupils to demonstrate their impressive creative talents, with car designs ranging from ‘The Flintstones’ to a Chinese dragonfly!
The Grand Prix starts at 11am at TR Fastenings’ car park at the Bellbrook Estate, Uckfield. Each car races in two heats with each heat comprising a 12 lap relay race with six drivers. At the end of the 10 heats the cars are ranked on points and then go forward to one of five finals. The ultimate final consists of the top four cars and teams followed by the presentation of cups and prizes at 4.30pm.
TR Fastenings, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, uses its expertise to manufacture and supply fastenings to a number of different industry sectors. They employ over 1,000 people globally and customers range from blue-chip multi nationals to local residents and companies who make use of TR’s popular trade counters.
Malcolm Diamond, Executive Chairman at TR Fastenings, commented: “Once again, we are delighted to host the Uckfield Grand Prix. This exhilarating and enjoyable event provides a fantastic opportunity to introduce children to teamwork and engineering and we wish all the competitors the best of luck!”
Related articles:
- Uckfield News – “Date for Uckfield Grand Prix” – 8 July 2013
- Uckfield News – “Newick wins the Uckfield Grand Prix” – 15 July 13
- Mid Sussex Times – “Pupils living in fast lane” – 18 July
- Sussex Express – “Grand Prix win for Newick team” – 20 July
2012
A Grand Day Out as TR Fastenings Hosts Mini Grand Prix
Nutley Primary School Champion at Standout Event of Uckfield Festival 2012
TR Fastenings, a leading global manufacturer and distributor of industrial fastenings, was delighted to play host to the Uckfield Mini Grand Prix 2012 in the car park of its head offices on Sunday 15th July. Blessed by good weather, hundreds of supporters turned out to watch the Mini Grand Prix teams from 20 local primary schools race at up to 16mph around TR Fastenings’ car park which had been transformed into a mini racing track.
Usually TR Fastenings uses its expertise to manufacture and supply fastenings to a number of different industry sectors. They employ over 1,000 people globally and customers range from
blue-chip multi nationals to local residents and companies who make use of TR’s popular trade counters. This event saw Year 6 children racing Greenpower Goblin Kit cars that they have made themselves. The kit cars are designed specifically to offer pupils a chance to be involved in a simple, practical engineering project that embraces many relevant aspects of science and technology in a fun and exciting way.
The Mini Grand Prix began at 12 noon at TR Fastenings’ car park at the Bellbrook Estate, Uckfield. Each car raced in two heats, with each heat comprising a 12 lap relay race with six drivers. At the end of the 10 heats the cars were ranked on points and then went forward to one of five finals, with Nutley Primary School the overall winner of the day.
Malcolm Diamond, Chairman at TR Fastenings, said “TR Fastenings is delighted to host the Uckfield Mini Grand Prix again this year. The Grand Prix is a really exhilarating event for the children involved and a fantastic way to introduce them to both teamwork and engineering. The children racing could be the engineers or Formula 1 racing drivers of tomorrow.”
The Mini Grand Prix event is a collaboration between Uckfield Community Technical College (UCTC) and Uckfield Rotary Club.
2011
TR Fastenings hosts the Uckfield Mini Grand Prix 2011
Uckfield based TR Fastenings, a leading international manufacturer and distributor of industrial fastenings, hosted the Uckfield Mini Grand Prix 2011 in its car park on Sunday 10 July, featuring 20 teams of children from 19 Primary schools racing kit cars to victory.
On the day the TR Fastenings’ car park was be transformed into a racing track, with chequered flag, winning podiums, cups and prizes along with lots of fizzy lemonade for the winning teams to spray!
Usually TR Fastenings uses its expertise to supply fastenings to well known automotive companies such as Jaguar, but at this event primary school children raced Greenpower Goblin Kit cars that they had made themselves. The Greenpower Goblin kit car is designed specifically to offer Year 5 and Year 6 pupils a chance to be involved in a simple, practical engineering project that embraces many relevant aspects of science and technology in a fun and exciting way.
The Mini Grand Prix started at 11am at TR Fastenings’ car park at the Bellbrook Estate, Uckfield. Each car raced in two heats with each heat comprising a 12 lap relay race with six drivers. At the end of the 10 heats the cars were ranked on points and then went forward to one of five finals. The ultimate final consisted of the top four cars and teams followed by the presentation of cups and prizes at 4.30pm.
Malcolm Diamond, Chairman at TR Fastenings, said “TR Fastenings is delighted to host the Uckfield Mini Grand Prix again this year. The Grand Prix is a really exhilarating event for the children involved and a fantastic way to introduce them to both teamwork and engineering. The children racing could be the engineers of tomorrow.”
The Mini Grand Prix event is a collaboration between Uckfield Community Technical College (UCTC) and Uckfield Rotary Club. Last year saw nearly 250 year 5 and 6 students taking part in the event with over 1,000 parents and local supporters attending.