RAC Brighton to London Future Car Challenge zooms into Crawley
07/11/2011
Formula One legend Damon Hill OBE being interviewed at Central Sussex College
More than 65 eco-friendly vehicles - some not seen on UK roads before - completed the second RAC Brighton to London Future Car Challenge on Saturday 5 November, stopping at Central Sussex College along the way.
The entrants - including celebrity car enthusiasts Quentin Willson, Kevin McCloud (Grand Designs), actor Robert Llewellyn, DJ Mark Goodier and Formula One legend Damon Hill OBE - made a scheduled refuelling stop at the College's Crawley campus, with members of the public welcoming them.
The event was staged, promoted and judged in three categories - Electric, Hybrid and Internal Combustion Engine - and split into seven vehicle classes. Within each category, entries were measured in various modes for the energy used during the drive from Madeira Drive, Brighton, to Pall Mall, London. The challenge was to complete the event with the least energy impact.
Formula One designer Gordon Murray was the overall challenge winner, driving his T.27 prototype. He said: "It is the first time we have showcased the T.27 on UK roads. It's a fantastic showcase for technology and the Royal Automobile Club should be proud of the event. To win is truly special and could not have been achieved without the 50% grant from Technology Strategy Board, and my team."
Central Sussex College's Motorsport team was pleased to show off its modified vehicles at the event, which received plenty of interest from the visiting celebrities. Sarah Dodwell, Director of Marketing and Communications at Central Sussex College, said: "We are delighted to have played a part in the Future Car Challenge once again, as these vehicles are helping to spread the message that eco-friendly motoring is an exciting innovation which is becoming a reality as well as a necessity."
The Mayor of Crawley, Councillor Carol Eade also came along to chat to the entrants, with Youth Mayor of Crawley Pravin Sanasy, who also happens to be a student at Central Sussex College. As the entrants arrived in Pall Mall, the Mayor of London Boris Johnson welcomed the entrants and the winners were congratulated by Sir David Prosser, Chairman of the RAC, and BBC Radio 2's 'Sally Traffic', Sally Boazman.
