The VROOM Power Challenge is a competition for Year 9 students from schools in Derby, which encourages participants to work in teams while learning how to solve real engineering problems.

The project
The VROOM Power Challenge involves teams of young engineers. Their task is to design and manufacture a pedal-powered go-kart to compete in an endurance race against other teams of go-kart designers. In doing this, they work closely with Rolls-Royce employees, learning new skills and producing a quality end product. The project also encourages a focus on the environment as the karts will be fashioned mainly from scrap materials and powered by sheer brute force.

The rules
Each race team must consider the following criteria and manufacture their proposed design with the help and guidance of Rolls-Royce staff.

The timescale for completing all design work is five weeks, with a further twelve weeks for manufacture. There are a number of basic design requirements.

The final kart must:

• be pedal powered, using a standard chain and pedal mechanism
• have a chain guard
• have a single seat, whose base should be a maximum of 0.6 metres above the ground
• have four wheels at a minimum of 1 metre spacing (measured from the centre of each wheel)
• have a braking system
• be capable of lasting for at least 90 minutes of racing

The design should consider cost, quality, safety, manufacture and aesthetics.

The competitors
Teams are formed from local schools in Derby.

Rolls-Royce and education
The VROOM Power Challenge is just one of many education projects undertaken by Rolls-Royce. Support for education is a significant way in which Rolls-Royce works to improve the communities in which we live. We believe that companies and communities should co-exist to mutual benefit, demonstrated by our well-established, global programme of activities. Working with partners, we make positive impacts in our communities and achieve tangible benefits for our business.