On Sunday, 10th May, the Norwich Phoenix F24 team arrived at the iconic Lotus track for the opening race of the 2026 season. Competing in the Greenpower F24 category, an international competition that challenges students to design, build, and race electric cars, our team was eager to put their off-season modifications to the test.

After the deceptive warmth of Saturday, the team was met with a biting wind and cold temperatures-not the ideal conditions for battery efficiency or driver comfort. However, the team remained undeterred, moving through scrutineering with focus and preparing the car to showcase the extensive modifications made during the off-season.

Facing stiff competition from local teams, our experienced drivers used every inch of the track, while the pit crew delivered incredibly slick driver changes to maintain our momentum. The strategic discipline paid off, as Norwich Phoenix crossed the line to win by half a lap, securing 1st in the Kit Car class and a remarkable 3rd place overall.

Tessa, a Year 10 student at Norwich High School for Girls, drove the second stint of the race and captured the atmosphere from the cockpit:

“Driving our F24 car is always an exhilarating experience, but this race felt particularly special due to the optimised mechanical and bodywork improvements we recently implemented. The team worked smoothly and efficiently; soon, I was strapped in and heading out onto the track. I settled into the cockpit, my thumb steady on the throttle. The race flew by, from the hairpins to the long back straight where the wind buffeted my visor.”

Following some minor adjustments, we headed back out for Race 2. This session marked the debut of one of our new Year 9 drivers, who navigated the crowded field with impressive confidence. The communication between the pit wall and the cockpit was flawless, keeping the team on target even as we battled wheel-to-wheel with our closest rivals. We concluded the second race 2nd in class and 4th overall.

The day ended with a nail-biting wait for the final standings. To the delight of the entire team, our consistent performance across both races earned us the 1st place trophy for the Kit Car class and 3rd place overall for the event. It was a fantastic showcase of engineering and teamwork, and a brilliant foundation to build upon for the rest of the season. Congratulations to everyone involved!

Mrs Louise Ryan
Head of Product Design and School Lead for F24