Chequered flag for Linn F1 pupils

Four Linn Primary School pupils are celebrating after finishing in pole position in the UK-wide Formula 1 in schools challenge.
Linn PS Formula 1 Team of , Ben Dundee, Scott Alexander, Adam Clarke and Andrew Turner with principal, Mrs Duff and teacher Mr Montgomery  INLT 27-230-AMLinn PS Formula 1 Team of , Ben Dundee, Scott Alexander, Adam Clarke and Andrew Turner with principal, Mrs Duff and teacher Mr Montgomery  INLT 27-230-AM
Linn PS Formula 1 Team of , Ben Dundee, Scott Alexander, Adam Clarke and Andrew Turner with principal, Mrs Duff and teacher Mr Montgomery INLT 27-230-AM

The P6 team travelled to Coventry’s Ricoh Arena on Monday June 23, where they beat off competition from schools throughout the UK to lift the top prize.

Linn Primary School teacher Jonathan Montgomery, who was in charge of the project, praised the dedicated 10-year-olds, who have been working on their car for the past six months.

He told The Times: “I am so proud of the Dynamite Racing team-Team Principal Scott Alexander, Resource Manager Adam Clarke, Design Engineer Andrew Turner and Manufacturing Engineer Ben Dundee. They designed the car themselves to have the front of a Ferrari and back of an Indie car.”

The boys submitted a template to STEM company Sentinus, who turned it into a wooden jig. The car was then modelled in clay by Ben, before being digitally scanned and produced by the NEELB. The balsa wood car was sanded down by Ben, while Andrew was in charge of the design. Larne Coachworks then spraypainted the 24cm wooden car in the exact colours of the Ferrari original.

Their teacher says that the experience provided them with invaluable lessons. He explained: “The boys learned how to work as a team. They saw that if you put the work in, you get the reward. They have learned about computer-aided design, project management, deadlines. It was a big responsibiity.”

However, the boys’ adventure nearly ended in disaster after an accident during the final race. Mr Montgomery recalled: “Our car broke the track and flew off. I had to run and get the second car and my heart was in my mouth. But the boys took it in their stride.”

The car, named DR-01B, had a final time of 20 metres in 1.051 seconds. Manufacturing Engineer Ben Dundee, said: “It’s amazing that we have won. It was great to go over and see everything after months of hardwork.” Team Principal Scott Alexander added: “It was a big responsibility, but I loved it.”

The boys and Mr Montgomery would like to thank sponsors Larne Council, Danske Bank-Larne, Lab Supplies and Instruments, CarNet Car Sales, Tesco in Carrickfergus, Golder Assosciates, Larne Coachworks, Halfords in Ballymena and Ryan Wright Graphics.

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