Arundel pupils take the chequered flag in car they built

The team from St Philip’s Catholic Primary School blazed past 21 other squads at the annual competition in Banjo Road.

Children from schools right across East and West Sussex came together to challenge one another for pole position in their home-made racers.

And although they may not have had the speed and power of their Formula One counterparts, there was certainly just as much drama as teams tussled to accelerate past one another.

Rivalry between St Philip’s and Climping’s St Mary’s CE Primary School came to a head as the two teams battled for first place during the sprint race, with the struggle causing St Mary’s car to come off the track.

St Philip’s topped the drag and slalom challenge around the course, as well as being declared overall champion and picking up the best presented team award, too.

St Mary’s tied for second place with Newick CE Primary School, in Lewes. The prize for best bodywork went to Blackwell Primary School, in East Grinstead, for its ingenious use of lightweight foam to give some flair to the engine. Tangmere Academy earned the greenest bodywork award and Dorset House, Bury, won the spirit of Greenpower accolade.