Thirty volunteers from across Cornwall have completed their Bloodhound Model Rocket Car Race Hub Practitioner Training, which will enable them to support 4,000 young people in Cornwall to build and launch their own rocket car.

This is part of the Bloodhound Project, a global engineering adventure aiming to use a 1,000mph world land speed record attempt to inspire the next generation to enjoy, explore and get involved in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects.

Day one of training saw all adult volunteers, including Andrew Wallis, Cornwall Council’s lead member for children and young people, arrive at the Cornwall Aviation Heritage Centre (CAHC) at the Aerohub in St Mawgan, ready to build rocket cars.

’Who doesn’t want to build a rocket car?’ said Andrew Wallis. ’I certainly do, and I was really pleased (understatement) to be able to undertake the Rocket Car Accreditation Training. In fact, I have never been so excited over a bit of foam before! I was amazed when my rocket car reached a speed of 40.25 mph over 50m!’

Now that all 30 volunteers have passed the training, it’s time for students to get building and prototyping to be ready to compete in the open races at the end of term.

The Cornwall final will take place at the start of the summer term and the National Final will be at Santapod, Bedfordshire on June 29.