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Oundle pupils in bio bike world record bid
Pupils will attempt to set a world speed record for a vehicle running on home-brewed fuel – using apples.
A group of A-level chemistry students from Prince William School in Oundle have taken up the challenge of setting the record using a specifically adapted motorbike fuelled using bioethanol made from locally-gathered apples.
They have taken up the challenge of setting the record using a specifically adapted 675 Daytona motorcycle fuelled by bioethanol.
It has taken four months for the pupils to make 2.5 litres of the fuel, which is just enough to fuel the vehicle for a rolling road test and one top speed run.
The motorcycle, which has been given a new look courtesy of a paint job from some 14-year-old pupils from the school, will also compete in a biofuel drag race at Santa Pod, near Wellingborough, the day after the record attempt.
A spokesman for the project said: "This project has formed part of the students' A-level chemistry studies, thanks to the vision and good humour of their head of department, Anton McAleese – and it has not been easy.
"We only got into it for a laugh as it was a nice combination of a British bike, big speed and some very resourceful and determined school pupils."
Bike expert Rupert Paul will be riding the machine as it hits speeds of more than 160mph when it attempts to break the record at Bruntingthorpe Proving Ground in Leicestershire at midday on Thursday.
Bioethanol is produced as part of the fermentation process and is being hailed by some experts as a safer and more eco friendly fuel than petrol.
It is estimated that two tonnes of apples can produce as much as one tonne of fuel and with many British apple orchards losing out to European counterparts, homegrown apples could soon be powering tractors, lorries and even cars.
Fuel created from sugar cane in Brazil is currently on sale at the Morrisons petrol station in Wellingborough, which is one of only 14 biofuel retailers in the UK.
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