YOUNG engineers showed they are are on the fast track to success.

Bolton School year eight and nine pupils tried their hand at motorsport engineering in a STEM —science, technology, engineering and maths — themed day.

Teams worked together to construct and test their own miniature electric racing cars — and had the chance sit in a racing car thanks to the University of Bolton's motorsport technology department, which brought with them a Ginetta G40 and G55.

They found out more about the different design features and mechanics of the cars as well as the careers in motorsports.

The day ended with each team pitting their electric car against the rest to see which was the fastest along the seven metre long dual-rail track.

With an electronic timer at the end of the track, measuring down to hundredths of a second, the cars went head-to-head in a series of knock-out rounds.

Some cars completed the distance in less than three seconds.

The winning team was Velocity 4.

Rachel Langley, the girls’ division head of technology, said: “The girls who were involved in the joint STEM day had applied to take part in the event, completing a form explaining how they would redesign a racing car to increase its speed.

"We were very impressed when the girls used words such as ‘aerodynamics’, ‘stream-lined’ and ‘drag’ in their design descriptions.

"Once selected and working in their mixed teams to build and competitively race their rail racer cars, the girls were not only focused and motivated but also determined to gain prize places.”

Her colleague in the boys' division Chris Walker added: “The atmosphere was buzzing as teams were eliminated until the final three podium places were won.

"The event displayed pupils’ science and engineering talents to the full and also rewarded their team spirit and corporate identity. Podium place trophies were awarded and all participants received T-shirts and caps as mementoes of the day.”