A GROUP of Edinburgh engineering students are gearing up to take part in a challenge of a lifetime after securing £10k sponsorship from their university.
Edinburgh Napier has committed the funds to help get their first ever team to Formula Student (FS) – the largest student motorsport competition in the world.
Organised by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, FS challenges universities from across the world to design and build a F1-style car in one year, before racing them at Silverstone.
Competing cars are scrutinised by a team of industry experts who judge their speed, acceleration, handling and endurance. Teams are also tested on their design, costing and business presentation skills.
Edinburgh Napier’s team founder, third year Mechatronics student James Bracken, said: “The backing of the University is amazing; I was completely speechless when I found out.
“FS is a fiercely competitive event which not only attracts thousands of spectators but all the major players from the F1 industry. So far we’ve managed to raise £16, 000 which helps cover the cost of designing and developing the car. We’re still looking for around £5,000 to pay for other equipment like fire-suits.”
Student James has already gained financial support from insurance brokers PL Ferrari and the Scottish Association for Metals, while software solutions company National Instruments has offered the team discounted products. The team has also recruited a number of business and marketing students to help with the business side of the competition.
Edinburgh Napier Principal and Vice-Chancellor Professor Andrea Nolan said: “I am really proud to see students from across the University working together on this very challenging brief.
“The competition is a great opportunity for them to put their learning in to practice, gain real experience of team working, problem solving and financial planning and mix with like-minded students from across the world. I am confident that those involved have the potential to become the next generation of top motorsport engineers.”
Next year’s Formula Student takes place from 10th-13th July 2014.
Photograph shows student James Bracken with Edinburgh Napier Principal, Professor Andrea Nolan
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
