Wiscombe Park near Honiton has hosted students from Colyton Grammar School to the British Hillclimb Championship event.

The students, their parents and teacher Vandra Carter were given a tour of the paddock by Wiscombe commentator, Dave Pearce.

They then spent time with the championship leader, 2015 Champion Alex Summers.

They were shown around his car – a DJ Firestorm capable of speeds in excess of 170mph. Alex explained the principles of the aerodynamics used in speed hillclimbing and the various engines that can be used.

Speed hillclimbing is an amateur sport and all the drivers competing are very keen enthusiasts – they are not professional racing drivers.

Although, at this level of the sport, they are all highly skilled. They race the powerful, nimble, carbon fibre single seater race cars up the steep 1,000 yard Wiscombe tarmac course – no more than twelve foot wide – in around 32 seconds.

During the event, Matt Ryder established a new Outright Hill Record of 31.77s.

Alex is a senior engineer with Aston Martin Lagonda and last year completed the design and build of his own racing car – the AFS P4t.

He was awarded the prestigious Simms Medal by the Royal Automobile Club for the ground breaking design.

Alex was able to give the students guidance on how he was able to establish his own career in the motor industry which included a placement at the McLaren F1 team.

The Colyton Grammar School students have achieved great success in the International STEM competition, Lenovo F1 In Schools.

Stefano Domenicali - chairman and CEO of Formula 1 – summarises F1 in schools as "Offering a way to learn Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) related subjects in such an exciting way is achieving great results and we know we are increasing the intake of students into Engineering careers."

Three teams – Singularity, Peregrine Racing and Gear 6 - each team comprising six students – designed and raced their cars.

The eight-month project also covered sponsorship, marketing and promotion. An ideal opportunity for the students to learn many skills and gain inspiration – and possibly suggest career opportunities for the future.

The next speed hillclimb action at Wiscombe Park is the Five Clubs on September 7 and 8, and the MG Car Club/NHCA Arnold Gimblett will be on September 14 and 15.

For all the latest news and tickets please visit the web site www.wiscombepark.co.uk and Facebook page.