PUPILS from Penketh High School were due to take part in an eco-friendly race at Silverstone racing circuit, yesterday.

A team of four, David Jones, 14, John Wotham, Chris Jevons and Mark Roberts, all 15, have built their dream machine using a standard 50cc motorbike engine and parts of old bicycle donated by Warrington Police.

Calling themselves "Penketh Formula 1", the challenge was to travel as many miles as possible on a single gallon of fuel.

On Wednesday, the team had to have their vehicle examined by RAC scrutineers, and perform a practice run, to be eligible for yesterday's race, which took place after the GUARDIAN had gone to press.

David Jones was the team's driver. "I was really excited by it all," he said. "I've never done anything like it before but it's something I'd like to do when I leave school."

Cliff Seggie, the design and technology teacher who has been supervising the project, said: "Each team has three goes over a particular distance, one of which must be completed in under 39 minutes. The organisers then work out the fuel consumption using the best run."

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