TWO local school teams have achieved impressive performances in an electric kit car racing event.

Teams from Galashiels Academy and Eyemouth High School competed at the Greenpower Racing Scottish Heats, held at East Fortune Airfield, against 22 teams from across Scotland.

The students competed in electric kit cars, which they have built under the guidance of Borders College staff.

College lecturer Dave Black took charge of the Galashiels Academy Team, who competed in the F24 category, with teams aiming to cover the greatest distance in 90 minutes.

The Academy team finished a creditable joint-fourth with their car travelling 23.94km during the race period.

Lecturer Mark Catto led the Eyemouth pupils, who entered two cars, to a second-place finish in the F24+ event, where competitors have 60 minutes to achieve the greatest distance.

The Eyemouth team also took home the Spirit of Greenpower award in recognition of their teamwork.

The event was organised by Greenpower Education Trust, a UK-based charity which gets young people enthusiastic about science and engineering by challenging them to design, build and race an electric car.

They supply age-appropriate kit cars, which can be built in school, college or elsewhere and raced at motorsport venues at Greenpower-organised events to inspire young people to excel in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).

Commenting on the event, Dave Black said: “It was a great day out for both teams and to get placed is testament to the effort that pupils from both schools put in, not only racing, but building and maintaining their cars.

“Personally, I’m delighted to see how the Greenpower project is expanding within the Borders as I was responsible, along with my students, for building the first Greenpower kit car four years ago.

“The project allows students to develop not only their knowledge and understanding of STEM subjects, but teamwork and cooperation.”

Mark Catto added: “It was brilliant watching all three teams supporting and working with each other, and the effort that Dave Black and Paul Watson put into these groups is immense.

“Overall, four trophies was a brilliant result considering two of the teams had only been together for a few weeks, and the partnership between Borders College and Eyemouth High School can only go from strength to strength.”