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PUPILS at Samuel Ward Upper School and Technology College in Haverhill hope to find themselves behind the wheel of a racing car at Goodwood next year, thanks to sponsorship from local firms.

Pupils have unveiled a prototype vehicle and will spend the coming months designing and testing the gravity racer, which has no energy and is powered only by gravity.

Samuel Ward teacher, David Ackroyd came up with the idea after building a box cart at home for his nine-year-old son.

It is hoped the vehicle will take part in the Goodwood festival of Speed next summer, where such racers have reached speeds of 70 mph.

Expert help for the project is being provided by Gerry Taylor, of Katteram Racing, who will build the racer with funding from Helen Scott-Davis of the Suffolk Business Partnership.

Engineer John Ackroyd will help with the design, Mark Johnson, from Arriva Cars of Haverhill will provide overalls and T-shirts with logos, Steve Ward, of Haverkart Raceways, will run a supporters club and arrange transport and Ian Carrot of Sportlink UK will start a website.

CAPTION: Waiting for the chequered flag … Jonathon Ackroyd with, from left, his father David Ackroyd, Helen Scott-David, education area manager from Suffolk County Council, and Gerry Taylor, of Taylors, Foundry, Haverhill.