Hemmings said the Manfeild experience was an important event on the workshop calendar for a number of reasons.
'It's a goal that guides the projects taken on during the year," he said.
"Here at Kamo, we want to generate real world experience for young mechanically minded lads."
The school buys a basic kit, including engine, brakes and wheels and like other schools in the competition, had to meet a set of specifications issued from the Secondary Schools Racing Association.
Despite these restrictions, there was still room for creativity.
Year 11 student Joseph Lister who moved, miraculously in the final race from 26th place to fifth, found it invaluable to have his father helping him with the final phases of his design.
"My father really knows his stuff with engineering and it was something we could do together."
Lister, likemany who thrived on the hands-on nature of the work, sees it as a possible career pathway.
Fellow student Nathan Hooker, who hopes to gain an engineering apprenticeship when he leaves school, said his participation at Manfeild was one of the highlights of his schooling.
"It isn't just about the actual event; it is about what you learn in the build-up to it - the design skills, the engineering skills, the mechanical skills," he said.
With 18 students and seven parents needing to get from Kamo to the Manawatu, a convoy of two minibuses, two four-wheel-drives and four large trailers was implemented to get everyone to the venue.
Team leader Steven Fowell, a student identified by Hemmings as having 'tremendous problem-solving abilities' devised his own design and worked with others in an advisory capacity.
Fowell had his starring moment when the sidecar he had designed and worked on drifted from last place to first in one race.
William Biss, another student who worked on his own design and competed in a number of events, produced what Hemmings describes as a truly 'radical design'.
"It was a beast to ride, but showed great creativity," he said.
"I really enjoyed the experience of Manfeild. It's hands-on learning, which was exciting."
As for Hemmings, teacher, mechanic and mentor to a generation of workshop enthusiasts, he was left pondering the attributes of a tiny bike that really does punch well above its weight.
"In the competition, this tiny machine carried our tallest kid at 6 foot 9 [2.1m] and our heaviest kid at 110kg. But in the end, it's not about what this bike can carry in terms of loads. It's about where it can take them."
