Veteran inventor David Ackroyd returned to Loughborough College to recount his stories of speed and engineering with an audience of Technology learners.
In 2008 Mr Ackroyd and his son built and drove the VXR Nimbus to a world land speed record for a gravity-propelled vehicle, achieving speeds of 62mph.
The following year Mr Ackroyd rose to national fame when he and a team of Loughborough students built a go-kart which raced one built by iconic British sports car manufacturer Lotus for a TV challenge on ‘The Gadget Show’.
Over the years, Mr Ackroyd has been responsible for a range of eye-catching inventions, including one of the first gaming chairs, a functioning hoverboard and even a solar-powered speedboat.
He also became a regular guest and presenter on TV, working with broadcaster and former motorcycle racer Guy Martin on his Channel Four show, helping the daredevil presenter smash the Guinness World Land Speed record.
Mr Ackroyd told the students that the secret to being a great inventor was to ‘ask questions and always be looking for answers to problems’.
He said success lay in being inquisitive, expanding your knowledge and having a great positive approach to building and being part of team.
Electrical Installation lecturer James Taylor said, ‘Our students were impressed by Mr Ackroyd’s ‘can-do’ attitude, evidenced by his fantastic achievements.’
Mr Ackroyd also explained his latest project, ‘Sapheria’. This is a challenge to develop a world-first electric jet turbine racer powered entirely by sustainable energy.
The project will be rolled out at schools and colleges across the UK to help increase the number of students choosing engineering, science and technology apprenticeships and courses and to raise young people’s creativity, skills and aspiration.
JTL Level 3 Electrical apprentice Lucy Mortimer was impressed, “I found David’s talk very interesting, and it made me feel hopeful for the future. It makes you realise you can do anything if you put your mind to it.”