by Peter Barnett

Junior Jensons battled for supremacy at the fourth annual junior school battery racing car championship.

Competition was fierce but friendly as 10 schools from Thanet and beyond took part in a range of skill and endurance race categories around the tyre-bordered circuit.

Cheered on by hundreds of supporters from the pit stop area, the schools each with a racing team of six took part in a driving skills demonstration, race team briefing, judging of design portfolios and a 45 minute race that involved skilful and speedy pit stops and driver changes.

Prizes were awarded for car design, best presented team, build portfolio, greenest car made with recycled materials, race winner and driving skills winner.

The overall event winner was Reculver, with Thanet’s best performing school Birchington primary pipped for title by one point.

Birchington won the greenest car with their Eco Pirates vehicle, and best presentation for the car and the outfits of the race team and supporters.

St Nicholas took the driving skills award, Minterne School from Sittingbourne won the race, Haddon Dene were honoured for providing the best race portfolio, and St Laurence won the best car bodywork category.

After the trophy presentation, teams were already clamouring to sign up for next year’s event.

Lester Edmeades, Chatham House technician and the school’s Green Power senior competition leader, was the brains behind setting up the primary school event. He said: “The passion around the circuit was so evident and we had a fantastic day. I know how much effort it takes to prepare these cars for racing, so a huge well done goes to all the teams.

“I also want to say a special thank you to the Chatham House boys for their help in laying out the track and marshalling on the day, my colleagues for their help and support, Ling Demolition for providing 1,000 tyres for the circuit boundaries, and the school PFA for laying on refreshments and food.”

Schools taking part were Birchington, Minterne, Reculver, St Nicholas, Haddon Dene, St Laurence, Minster, Herne Bay, Drapers Mills, Upton.

● On Saturday, July 4, Chatham House takes part in the Kent and Essex regional heats of the national Green Power secondary school battery car championships at the Ford testing track at Dunston in Essex, aiming to qualify for the national finals at Goodwood motor racing circuit in October.