Young engineers at Hinchingbrooke School came third in a contest to design a fuel-saving car - competing against teams from American and Japan. Pupils took part in the Shell Eco-Marathon, held over two days at Rockingham Raceway, near Corby. The event is

Young engineers at Hinchingbrooke School came third in a contest to design a fuel-saving car - competing against teams from American and Japan.

Pupils took part in the Shell Eco-Marathon, held over two days at Rockingham Raceway, near Corby.

The event is attended by eco-car teams from all over Europe as well as the US and Asia. The aim is to achieve the best fuel consumption possible when completing seven laps of the 10-mile circuit in 40 minutes or less.

The overall winner out of 16 entries was a French team which achieved 10,156 miles per gallon. Entered in the schools section of the competition, Hinchingbrooke managed 1,060 mpg to put it in third place behind Leon-ardo on 1,321mpg and the winners Sandbach School from Cheshire, who achieved 2,250mpg.

The Hinchingbrooke car was made in the school workshops by a team of sixth formers under the guidance of head of department Dick Dunkley, and former technician Roy Stanton. Although the work started in September 2006, meeting weekly after school, it was only after working some long weekends and late evenings that the car was finally finished at 11pm on the evening before the competition.

Pictured are Peter Boocock, Chris Ager, James Wakefield, Brian Paton and Charlie Ward. Behind them are staff, Roy Stanton, Dick Dunkley and Keith Richards.

Picture: HELEN DRAKE 4813