October 2020

52 AFTERMARKET OCTOBER 2020 TRAINING www.aftermarketonline.net Upcoming training dates and news on courses TRAINING UPDATE The IMI is continuing providing technical expertise for a solar car project being run by two West Sussex schools, which has a new idea and an ambitious road trip planned for 2021. Ardingly Solar is a collaborative project between Ardingly College and Ifield Community College. Long before COVID-19, students from both schools worked together during evenings and weekends under the guidance of Dr Andrew Spiers MBE, Ardingly Solar Car Project Manager. They also received the help of volunteer companies, teachers and individuals including IMI regional member representatives, Douglas Wragg and Mike Reed. Ultimately they created solar powered vehicles that have crossed Australia in the Bridgestone World Challenge, and raced around France and Belgium in Solar endurance races. Since the lockdown the students have been working remotely – but together – on a new project: the Flat Pack Car. The idea is to deliver a solar powered vehicle that can be flat packed to site and assembled easily. It should be modular and simple in design with the ability to use local resources and can be used as an off grid power source for remote areas. “We want to make something that anyone can build, that’s versatile, robust and affordable”, explained Joshua Skeggs (Year 10) Ifield Community College. “During this time of COVID where the whole country has come to a standstill, to be part of something that is moving so quickly is super exciting”, added William Price, (Year 13) Ardingly College. And having something to do, like designing a car is pretty awesome!” Refusing to be held back by COVID-19, the students are also planning an ambitious road trip for 2021 in the original Solar Car. Next July, in partnership with the IMI and on behalf of BEN, the automotive industry charity, the students will drive the Solar car from John O’Groats to Brighton. Mike Reed, AAE, MIMI, concluded: “Douglas Wragg and I have found working with everyone on the Solar Car projects immensely uplifting. We easily get more from the project than may be realised and to be mixing with such intelligent and focused participants gives us an insight into the character of this country’s future engineers and confidence that our industry will be in good hands going forward.” To find out more about the Ardingly Solar Car Project visit www.ArdinglySolar.Com ECOBAT Stop/Start training ECOBAT Battery Technologies is offering free Stop/Start battery training, assessment and certification. Laura Jones, Marketing Manager for ECOBAT explained: “The first element is a YouTube video, hosted by ECOBAT’s very own Christopher Jones.” Laura continued: “Once they have viewed the video, technicians can undertake the online assessment – which covers not just the removal and installation process, but information concerning the battery and the start-stop system, to discover whether they have achieved the necessary score to have passed.” Laura added: “By visiting the ECOBAT website, the successful applicant is then able to download their certificate in a choice of branded Lucas, Numax or multiple (joint Exide/Lucas/Numax/ VARTA) or non-aligned formats. They are then in a position to put into practice their new found knowledge to the benefit of motorist and workshop alike.” Laura concluded: “As Chris states at the conclusion of the video, ‘replacing AGM and EFB batteries is as simple as that’, which is the key message workshops need to grasp to unlock the massive potential still available to independents up and down the country.” Please visit the Ecobat website for links to the above information www.ecobat.tech Welcome to Aftermarket’s training section. Here you can find the latest on upcoming training dates, as well as news on courses becoming available. If you have information on training you wish to share, please get in touch with the editor via email: alex@aftermarket.co.uk IMI lends support to student Solar Car project