The challenge is in the form of a three round knockout competition

Round 1 (September 2007 – December 2007):
Round one is a drag race within your class. The fastest two teams within your class will advance to the next level of competition.

Round 2 (January 2008 – February 2008):
Round two consists of a competition between round one winners in the school. This will be a drag race as before, as well as a tractor pull event where the team that pulls the heaviest weight wins. Additionally you are required to give a 5-minute presentation on how you designed the cart, to a group of Rolls-Royce engineers (please take this opportunity to ask any questions you may have about the carts or engineering in general). The scores from these three elements (drag race, tractor pull and presentation) will be combined and used to judge the two school champions. These two teams will advance to the next and final round.

Final (13 March 2008):
In the Final, a drag race, tractor pull, presentation and mystery competition will take place. The drag race and tractor pull will be much as before. The presentation will be 10 minutes this time and you will be expected to explain not only the design process but also some of the scientific principles behind how the carts work. The Mystery challenge will give you the opportunity to pit your wits directly against the opposing school champions.

See the breakdown of the marking scheme/assessment criteria.