Sunday 8th June 2025 – A Day of Firsts and a Podium Sweep!
Last Sunday, our Greenpower teams made history at the Bedford Autodrome heat – and what a day it was! For the first time ever, Frensham Heights Racing took to the tarmac at Bedford, armed with three finely tuned Formula 24 kit cars, months of preparation, and heaps of team spirit.
The day began bright and early with a 5am departure, but thankfully the skies were clear after a week of unpredictable weather. Excitement built quickly as all three cars sailed through scrutineering. That said, our car Beatrice managed to pick up a puncture en route and needed a quick inner tube replacement before practice – nothing the team couldn’t handle!
The practice session proved valuable, with all three cars performing well and giving the drivers a proper feel for the track – which turned out to be quite bumpy in places. After testing, it was back to the paddock for battery swaps and final checks ahead of Race 1.
With 33 cars on the grid, our drivers launched off the line brilliantly and stayed consistently within the top eight throughout the 90-minute race. Thanks to focused preparation and efficient pit stops (especially those well-practised ECA seatbelt changeovers!), the team held strong, even as many competitors slowed down battling the headwind along the back straight. As the chequered flag dropped, Edith crossed the line in 1st place, Beatrice took 2nd, and Isabel came in 3rd – a clean sweep of the podium! This marked a first in Greenpower history: all three podium positions claimed by the same team. To top it off, all three Frensham cars outperformed even the scratch-built entries – a remarkable feat for kit cars!
Following a well-earned lunch break, the teams prepped for Race 2. Once again, our cars got off to a competitive start, but a red flag incident caused an 18-minute delay and shortened the race. Still, the students handled the interruption with maturity and maintained solid positions throughout the final stint.
It’s worth noting that Frensham Heights Racing competes in the kit car category of Formula 24, while scratch-built cars – designed from the ground up – typically outperform due to their lighter builds and aerodynamic customisation. That’s what makes this achievement even more remarkable: our kit cars beat every scratch build on the day.
Next Stop: Dunsfold Aerodrome on Saturday 13th September.