AMG Systems, CCTV manufacturer, lends its support to Greenpower Car Project

The security company sponsored car is due to race for 90 minutes on 2 batteries with one charge only

When AMG Systems was approached by Peter Dawes and his 15 Sixth Form mates for assistance with their ambitious project of building an electric powered car fit for entering the Formula 24+ category they had no hesitation in sponsoring the team. The car is due to race for 90 minutes on 2 batteries with one charge only and is part of the Greenpower project - which aims to advance education in the subjects of sustainable engineering and technology to young people.

Peter Dawes says: "We are currently into a big push to get the car completed for a test day on 19 May at the Darley Moor Circuit in Derbyshire. We have come a long way since September last year where all we had was a skeleton chassis, the required 24V 240W DC motor and a set of batteries. We had no money, components or designs. The challenge was clear; we had to get this chassis with driver to reach the highest possible cruising speed at a suitable current draw. This meant looking at 6 areas: power transmission, aerodynamics, motor cooling, interior design and telemetry. We set a budget of £1000 and had the money by end December 2009, but we discovered that we had a further challenge, as all the engineers we visited agreed upon two things: more than one gear ratio and not to achieve this using Derailleur gears. Hence, we embarked upon designing and making our own gearbox, using mathematical models to work out optimum ratios to win us the race! We have been extremely fortunate with the contacts that we have in industry and we would especially like to thank AMG for the support they have given us in sponsoring the electronic speed controller components. Without their help we would not have a working regenerative speed controller and would be without a lot of design advice."

Founder and MD of AMG Systems, Dr. Alan Hayes says: "As an engineering company we were extremely impressed with the target this ambitious team has set and it has been a pleasure to watch their progress. We are all really excited by what they have achieved so far and cross our fingers that they will make it to the top of the podium in October."

The Formula 24+ is an exciting Formula, aimed at those in further education aged 16-25 years. Seven championship rounds of 90 minutes are held at major motor circuits for Formula 24+ cars during June, July and September. Teams should compete in two races of their choice, plus the final round of the season held at the Goodwood Motor Circuit in October. See more about the Greenpower car projects here.