After nearly a year of designing, building and testing, Samuel Whitbread Academy’s Greenpower F24 Racing Team finally took to the track for their first official races of the 2026 season.

The team’s debut at Bedford Autodrome marked an exciting milestone after months of hard work that began in July 2025. Competing against 42 experienced teams, students demonstrated outstanding teamwork, engineering knowledge and race strategy across two demanding 90-minute endurance races.

Drivers Oakley, Isabel and Augustin impressed throughout the day, overcoming setbacks including an on-track collision and technical challenges. Careful battery management and smart race strategy saw the team improve from 18th place in the morning race to an impressive 11th place in the afternoon, finishing 21st overall in a highly competitive field.

The team’s momentum continued the following weekend at the Greenpower Essex Regional Heat at Ford Dunton in Basildon. Battling soaring temperatures and a number of technical issues, the team produced an outstanding performance to secure 2nd place overall – bringing home their first trophy of the season.

Excellent driving and efficient pit stops contributed to a hugely successful day, with the team also claiming first place in three individual heats.

Congratulations to the entire team: Freddy N, Harry H, Ollie C, Sam W, Oakley S, Daniel C, Augustin B, Isaac B, Miles M and Mr Brooks, whose dedication and teamwork have made this season such a success.

With the school year drawing to a close, preparations are already underway for an exciting new chapter. The team plans to rebuild and redesign the school’s original scratch-built Greenpower car, Scooby, which competed successfully between 2011 and 2018. The ambition is to have the car race-ready during the 2027 season, allowing SWA Racing to compete in the F24 Scratch Car class alongside the current kit car.

Before then, the team will return to the track for the final races of the 2026 season at Mallory Park in September, where they hope to introduce further upgrades and continue building on an impressive debut campaign.

Keep up to date with all SWA Racing news by following the student run account on Instagram – @swaracing