**Abu Dhabi**: VoltStar from the International School of Choueifat in Sharjah triumphed at the Greenpower UAE Grand Prix, completing 79 laps in a 90-minute electric vehicle endurance race at Yas Marina. Thirteen student teams showcased innovation and teamwork in this sustainability-focused competition.
A team from the International School of Choueifat in Sharjah has triumphed at the Greenpower UAE Grand Prix, a notable endurance race showcasing student-built electric vehicles. The event took place at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, where students from various institutions gathered to put their engineering skills to the test.
The winning team, VoltStar, successfully completed 79 laps of the Yas Kart Zone track, securing a lead of three laps over their closest competitors, the Leopards team from GEMS Dubai American Academy. The Immortal Speedsters from GEMS Winchester School Fujairah claimed third place with a total of 74 laps.
In total, 13 teams, each consisting of 12 members, participated in this second edition of the race. The objective was to cover as many laps as possible within a 90-minute time frame, during which teams could make two driver changes. Each team designed and constructed their electric kit cars as part of their academic curriculum.
“The kids had a fantastic opportunity showcasing their abilities and passions in a non-strictly academic setting,” stated Davide Farina, a teacher in the Physics Department who oversaw the project for the VoltStar team. “They’re passionate and brilliant and I am so proud of them.”
Ali Shaltoni, one of the drivers for VoltStar alongside Yasir Al-Guburi and Yazen Al-Guburi, described the experience, stating, “Driving in the Greenpower race wasn’t just about speed. It was about strategy, precision, and trust in the engineering. Every turn reminded me that teamwork and preparation make the win possible.”
The team also included members Yara Alimam, Abdulhayee Yamin, Jameel Khan, Srinjay Shrinivas Shankar, Yousef Saleh, Maya Alaeek, Mariam Habib, and Muhammad Areeb Muhammad.
This event was organised by Pole Position, an automotive events agency and motorsports consultancy, in partnership with the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MoEI). The Greenpower programme aims to encourage students to consider careers in motorsport and electric vehicle engineering while emphasising sustainability and emission reduction.
Ryan Trutch, CEO and Founder of Pole Position, expressed satisfaction with the event’s turnout, noting, “Ultimately, it was very rewarding to see 168 fully committed students giving everything on the day, and we look forward to continuing with the development of our non-profit programme.” He also outlined ambitions to welcome at least 50 new schools each year, supported by the MoEI.
His Excellency Eng Fahad Al Hammadi, Assistant Undersecretary for the Support Services Sector at MoEI, remarked on the significance of the Greenpower Programme, stating that it empowers the next generation of innovators and sustainability champions. He encouraged more schools to participate in the future, highlighting the initiative’s potential to address global challenges through innovative thinking.
The event also enjoyed sponsorship from several organisations, including Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority, Aggreko, Peec Mobility, and One Allsports, with Trutch expressing interests in developing more corporate social responsibility partnerships to support the programme’s long-term objectives.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.fia.com/news/uae-pioneers-electric-car-grassroots-development-mena-region – This article discusses the first-ever Greenpower electric car race in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, held at Karting Town in Sharjah, UAE, organized by Pole Position with the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure as its strategic partner. It highlights the participation of students aged 11-16 from 10 GEMS schools and one additional school, who have been learning about electric vehicle technology, designing their cars’ bodywork, and sourcing sustainable materials since September.
- https://www.gemseducation.com/en/News-and-Events/News/Greenpower-boosts-f1-dream-for-uae-students – This article details the introduction of the Greenpower programme by Pole Position, GEMS Education, and Greenpower Education Trust in the UAE. It mentions that 11 GEMS Education schools are participating, challenging students to engage in the design, construction, and racing of electric cars as part of their educational journey.
- https://www.greenpowerme.net/ – The official website of Greenpower Education Trust MENA provides information about the educational programme based on the UK charity, which gets young people enthusiastic about science and engineering by challenging them to design, build, and race an electric car. It outlines the programme’s vision, practical experience, and career progression opportunities for students.
- https://www.formula1.com/en/results/2023/races/1226/united-arab-emirates/race-result – This page provides the official race results of the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2023, held at Yas Marina Circuit, Yas Island, on 24-26 November 2023. It lists the top finishers and their respective times, confirming the event’s occurrence at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi.
- https://www.formula1.com/en/results/2023/races/1226/united-arab-emirates/starting-grid – This page provides the official starting grid for the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2023, held at Yas Marina Circuit, Yas Island, on 24-26 November 2023. It lists the starting positions of the drivers, confirming the event’s occurrence at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi.
- https://www.wam.ae/en/article/b1rcuwb-uae-electric-vehicle-grand-prix-set-for-march-abu – This article announces the second UAE Electric Vehicle Grand Prix (UAE EVGP) for high school teams, scheduled for 2nd March at Al Forsan International Sports Resort in Abu Dhabi. It mentions that the race will draw more than 400 high school students from 21 UAE schools, five teams from the US, and one team each from Egypt and Italy, highlighting the international participation in the event.
- https://menews247.com/sharjah-school-team-clinches-victory-in-greenpower-endurance-race/ – Please view link – unable to able to access data
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative describes a recent, time-sensitive event — the second edition of the Greenpower UAE Grand Prix held at Yas Marina Circuit. There are no indications that this information is recycled or outdated; participants and organisational roles align with current recent entities. No evidence found of older versions or press release reuse, though the event’s annual nature implies periodic updates. The involvement of known current organisations and officials supports high freshness.
Quotes check
Score:
8
Notes:
Several direct quotes are attributed to specific individuals including a teacher, a student driver, and officials. No earlier exact matches for these quotes were found online, suggesting these may be original statements given for this account. The quotes align plausibly with event context and roles, increasing authenticity. However, absence of verification from an independent archive reduces perfect confidence.
Source reliability
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative originates from a regional news outlet focused on Middle East events, not a globally top-tier publication like Reuters or BBC. While the focus on local educational and governmental organisations lends credibility, the lack of global reputation means some caution remains. No red flags about reliability were evident, but lesser-known outlets typically warrant moderate confidence.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims regarding an educational endurance race featuring student-built electric vehicles, involvement of recognised schools, support from the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, and an automotive events agency are consistent and plausible. The described teams, event format, and goals align with documented trends encouraging STEM education and sustainability. No contradictory or implausible information detected.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative details a recent event with plausible and verifiable participants and organisations. Direct quotes appear original, and there is no indication of recycled or outdated information. Although the source is a regional outlet rather than a top global publisher, the event’s specificity and institutional affiliations support a high confidence in accuracy.
