2012/2012 Season - Ampherrous
Ampherrous represents the start of Hampton Racing. The name originates from the car being compared to the look of an amphioxus (a cephalochordate for anyone studying biology) which with some tweeking the name stuck. The amp clearly comes from its links with electricity and the adapted spelling of pherrous (should be ferrous) comes from the use of steel, a ferrous metal. But anyway, like M6 before it, Ampherrous will debut at Silverstone in the Corporate Challenge then to race the rest of the season on F24+.
Keep an eye out over the year as I believe this year will be without a doubt the best so far!
2010/2011 Season - Project M6
M6, the car made when I ran G.D.S Racing has been by far the most impressive looking and engineered car from the last 4 years. It has an eco focus with its frame built only by bolting together the members to eliminate high energy welding, and the body comes from unwanted off cuts of sheet plywood.
With many misfortunes, but all learning curves, under my belt I knew what needed work and by re-linking with the now M6nster Mechanics we entered the F24, F24+ and Corporate Challenge. This is a challenge that tested the car to its limits!
M6 debuted at none other than Silverstone! Racing in both the Season Opener and The Corporate Challenge. With issues in scrutineering regarding wire thickness it was a worrying time as I tried to source wire. Thanks to the huge generosity of Silesian Greenpower the car was passed to race, but unfortunately missed half the Season Opener. Then in the Corporate Challenge all went reasonably well. We were quite a bit off the pace but finished above both Bentley and Siemens.
The car has had a few issues as the season progressed but big plans are in the pipe line for a huge remodel so watch this space!
2009/2010 Season - The Monster Mechanics
This season seen me take control of the F24 team of CSCC, The Monster Mechanics. I imparting the lessons learned from the previous years and introducing a few concepts worked on by myself and an old team mate to build them a car twice the capability of Directly and The Green Asbo put together! It wasn't all smiles however, as an unfortunate steering breakage cost us precious time in the qualifying round leaving us in 5th.
A stunning rebuild for one last attempt to qualify a few months later set spirits high, however a scrutineering issue passed at the previous race caused numerous problems to fix in the short space of time before the race. This caused the production of a car a mere shadow of its earlier self. This was not all in vain however as like the previous cars, lessons where once again learned.
2008/2009 Season
This was the only year to date I have been apart from racing in Greenpower. With the pressure of A Levels and lack of free time no car was entered after the debut season however designs were still floating about!
2007/2008 Season - Directly (Model 2)/The Green Asbo
While in the 6th Form team I helped with the build of the F24 car, The Green Asbo. Due to very little time left to make the vital changes needed to make Directly race worthy for the final, and the unfortunate failure of The Green Asbo to qualify, aloud the rebuild the chassis to the regulations for F24+ and race it as Directly. The lessons learned where introduced with 2 sided wheel bracing and the scraping of a derailer and installing a gear hub. This however was not enough to gain us the vital points needed in the final and with an overheated motor the fate of both cars were sealed for the debut season. Both will however be remembered, remembered though as the cars I aim never to recreate!
2007/2008 Season - Directly (Model 1)
This is my first car built as a member of a 6th Form team. This car paved the way for our move into Greenpower. It was by far one of the worst cars of that seasons F24+ however it taught me so much, things that have made future cars what they are today.
